Chord Shuttles

Chord Shuttles (Major/Ionian)

I - ii

I - iii

I - IV (Plagal Shuttles)

I - V

I - vi

Chord Shuttles (Modal)

i - ♭II (“Phrygian Shuttle”)

I - II (“Lydian Shuttle”)

i - ii

i - ♭III

i - IV (“Dorian Shuttle”)

I -♭VII (Mixolydian Shuttle)

i -♭VII (Subtonic Shuttle)

i -♭VII - ♭VI -♭VII (Aeolian Shuttle)

Other Chord Shuttles

More Examples

Chord Shuttles (Major/Ionian)

Backing Track: See the I-IV, I - vi Chord Loops from Pop Repertoire here.

I - ii

1) Temptations, “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” verse & chorus

From Sky's the Limit (1971), written by Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong

Audio: YouTube (0:24–1:27)

C Dm7 C Dm7

Each day through my window I watch her as she passes by

C Dm7 C Dm7 C

I say to myself, you're such a lucky guy

Dm7 C Dm7

To have a girl like her is truly a dream come true

C Dm7 C Dm7

Out of all the fellas in the world, she belongs to you

C Dm7

But it was just my imagination

C Dm7

Runnin' away with me

C Dm7

It was just my imagination

C Dm7

Runnin' away with me

2) Wham!, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” chorus

From Make it Big (1984), written by George Michael.

Audio: YouTube (0:36–1:03)

C

Wake me up before you go-go

Dm C

Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo

C

Wake me up before you go-go

Dm C

I don't want to miss it when you hit that high

C

Wake me up before you go-go

Dm C

'Cause I'm not plannin' on going solo

C

Wake me up before you go-go

Em Dm C9 F/C C7

Take me dancing tonight

3) Lily Allen, “Smile,” chorus

From Alight, Still (2006), written by Jackie Mittoo, Clement Dodd, Lyiola Babalola, Darren Lewis, Lily Allen

Audio: YouTube (1:02–1:21)
Note: The whole song uses the same progression.

Gm F

At first when I see you cry

Gm

It makes me smile

F

Yeah, it makes me smile

Gm F

At worst I feel bad for awhile

Gm

But then I just smile

F

I go ahead and smile

4) Cyndi Lauper, “Time After Time,” verse

From She’s So Unusual (1983), written by Cyndi Lauper & Rob Hyman

Audio: YouTube (0:15–0:30)

Dm/C C Dm/C C Dm/C C Dm/C C

Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you.

Dm/C C Dm/C C Dm/C C Dm/C C

Caught up in circ les, confusion is nothing new.

5) Jack Johnson, “Upside Down,” verse 1

From Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George (2006), written by Jack Johnson and Ben Harper

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:28–1:03)

6) Hozier, “Work Song,” verse

From Hozier (2014), written by Hozier

Audio: YouTube (0:29–1:01)

B♭ Cm

Boys workin' on empty

B♭ Cm

Is that the kinda way to face the burning heat?

B♭ Cm

I just think about my baby

B♭

I'm so full of love I could barely eat

B♭ Cm

There's nothing sweeter than my baby

B♭ Cm

I never want once from the cherry tree

B♭ Cm

'Cause my baby's sweet as can be

B♭

She give me toothaches just from kissin' me

I - iii

1) Mars Argo, “Runaway Runaway,” verse

From Mars Argo (2015), written by Mars Argo and Titanic Sinclair

Audio: YouTube (0:17–0:49)
Harmonic Rhythm: | C | Em | (x3)

C Em

Is there anybody listening?

C

Eager words are making me an awful mess

Em

You say you need me

C

We're running out of time

I guess I fear the fear of consequence

Em

You say you'll leave me

But you'll be sorry

2) David Bowie, “Space Oddity,” verse

Single (1969), written by David Bowie

Audio: YouTube (0:28–0:42)

C Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

C Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

3) The Jam, “Going Underground,” pre-chorus

From Going Underground (1980), written by Paul Weller

Audio: YouTube (0:18–0:28)

B D#m

Something's happening here today

B D#m

A show of strength with your boy's brigade

B D#m

And I'm so happy and you're so kind

B D#m

You want more money, of course I don't mind

I - IV (Plagal Shuttles)

For additional examples see the "I, IV" tab at the bottom of the Chord Progression spreadsheet here. See the instructor version of the spreadsheet here.

Backing Track: See the I-IV Chord Loops from Pop Repertoire here.

1) R.E.M., “Everybody Hurts,” verse

From Automatic for the People (1993), words and music by William Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, and Michael Stipe

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:15–0:45)

2) Buffalo Springfield, “For What It's Worth,” verse

Single (1966), words and music by Stephen Stills

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:10–0:28)

3) The Ramones, “I Wanna Be Sedated,” verse

Single (1966), words and music by Stephen Stills

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:05–0:17)

4) Bruce Springsteen, “Glory Days,” verse

From Born in the USA (1985), words and music by Bruce Springsteen

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:55–1:10)

5) John Lennon, “Imagine,” verse

From Imagine (1971), words and music by John Lennon

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:37)

6) Wilson Picket, “In the Midnight Hour,” verse

From In the Midnight Hour (1965), words by Wilson Picket, music by Steve Cropper

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:30)

7) Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel, “Defying Gravity,” verse 1

From Wicked (2003), music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Scores: Image, MuseScore (full score with piano)
Audio: YouTube (1:16–1:32)

8) Ben Folds, “Brick,” verse 1

From Whatever and Ever Amen (1997), written by Darren Jessee & Ben Folds

Scores: Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:22-0:44)

9) Benson Boone, “Slow it Down,” verse and chorus

From Fireworks & Rollerblades (2024), written by Jason Evigan, Connor McDonough, Riley McDonough, Benson Boone & Jack LaFrantz

Scores: PDF, Image (verse), Image (chorus), MuseScore
Audio:
- - Verse: YouTube (0:08–0:32)
  - Chorus: YouTube (0:59–1:22)

10) Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile,” verse 1

Single (2024), words and music by Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, James Fauntleroy, D’Mile & watt

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:08–0:30)

11) Stevie Wonder, “What Christmas Means to Me,” verse 1

From Someday At Christmas (1967), written by Marvin Gaye, Allen Story & George Gordy

Audio: YouTube (0:11–0:29)
Instructor Note:
| I | IV7 | (x6)

C Fmaj7
Candles burning low

C Fmaj7
Lots of mistletoe

C Fmaj7
Lots of snow and ice

C Fmaj7
Everywhere we go

C Fmaj7
Choirs singing carols

C Fmaj7
Right outside my door

I IV7
Candles burning low

I IV7
Lots of mistletoe

I IV7
Lots of snow and ice

I IV7
Everywhere we go

I IV7
Choirs singing carols

I IV7
Right outside my door

12) Ariana Grande, “We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),” chorus

From eternal sunshine (2024), written by Ariana Grande, Max Martin & ILYA

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:27–1:43)

13) Brandie Carlile, “You and Me On the Rock,” verse 1

From In These Silent Days (2022), written by Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings

Audio: YouTube (0:10–0:33)
Harmonic Rhythm: |G | C | C | G | (x2)

G

They build wooden houses on frozen ponds

C

In the summertime when the water's gone

C

Diagonal lines in their rolled-out lawns

G

And the sage always smells so pretty

G

But nobody cares where the birds have gone

C

When the rain comes down on Babylon

C

The stone mason's phone rings all day long

G

And you gotta get back to the city

14) Chappell Roan, “HOT TO GO!,” chorus

From The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2024), written by Chappell Roan & Dan Nigro

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (2:48–3:16)

15) Lizzy McAlpine, “Apple Pie,” verse

From Give Me a Minute (2020), written by Lizzy McAlpine

Audio: YouTube (0:10–0:31)
Harmonic Rhythm:| I | IV | (x4)

B♭ E♭ B♭ E♭

Some days I’m lonely, and some days I’m not,

B♭ E♭ B♭ E♭

Some days I am only, a little bit sad, not a lot.

16) Fanny, “Charity Ball,” Opening Chorus & Verse 1

From Charity Ball (1971), written by Alice de Buhr, Jean Millington, and June Millington

Audio: YouTube ( 0:14–0:51)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| A | A | A | A | (x2)
| D | D | D | D |
| D | D | A | A |
| A | A | A | A |

[Chorus]

A

Dance, ooh, stand, ooh

Move to charity ball

Dance, ooh, stand, ooh

Move to charity ball

[Instrumental Interlude]

D

[Verse 1]

D

Get the musicians ready

Get them good and hot

A

Good and hot, woo

Stand and deliver

Give em everything you've got

You got my number

17) Fanny, “Place in the Country,” verse

From Charity Ball (1971), written by Nickey Barclay

Audio: YouTube ( 0:11–0:23)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| G | C | G | C | (x2)

G

Standing on a hilltop

C

Wishing on a quick star

G C

Enemies all around me

G

Got to make a rest stop

C

Wonder where my friends are

G C

It's about time they found me

18) Lila Downs, “I Would Never,” verse

From Shake Away (2008), written by Paul Buchanan

Audio: YouTube ( 0:06–1:07)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| A | A | A | A |
| A | A | A | A |
|D|D|D|D|A|A| (x2)

A

I have walked a thousand miles

I have worked as fast as I can
D

And I have raised my precious child
A

To be a woman

A

I have walked up and down

I have wandered from place to place

D

And I have raised my weary hand
A

To my face

19) Avett Brothers, “I and Love and You,” chorus

From I and Love and You (2009), written by Seth Avett & Scott Avett

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube ( 0:53–1:18)

I - V

For additional examples see the "I, V" tab at the bottom of the Chord Progression spreadsheet here. See the instructor version of the spreadsheet here.

1) The Byrds, “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season),” verse 2

From the Turn! Turn! Turn! (1965), written by Pete Seeger

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore

Audio: YouTube (1:07–1:19)

2) The Kinks, “Tired of Waiting for You,” verse 1

From the Kinda Kinks (1965), written by Ray Davies

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore

Audio: YouTube (0:29–0:44)

3) The Police, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” chorus

From the Ghost in the Machine (1981), written by Sting

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:35–0:46)

4) Panic! At The Disco, “Do It To Death,” chorus

From Viva Las Vengeance (2022), written by Brendon Urie, Jake Sinclair, Mike Viola, and Butch Walker

Audio: YouTube (0:18–0:32)

C

Take me to the limit

C

Take me to the limit

C G C

Nothing lasts forever, so we'll give it a try
C

Take me to the limit

C

Take me to the limit

C G C

Do it all to death, now before we die

5) Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” verse

From Pendulum (1971), written by John Fogerty

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:13–0:45)

6) Janis Joplin, “Me and Bobby McGee,” verse

From Pearl (1971), written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:05–0:29)

7) Ike & Tina Turner, “River Deep-Mountain High,” mm. 19–26

From River Deep-Mountain High (1966), words and music by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:05–0:29)

8) Bryan Adams, “Summer of '69,” mm. 3–18

From Reckless (1985), words and music by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:04–0:30)

9) Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Up Around the Bend,” mm. 5–12

From Cosmo's Factory (1970), words and music by John Fogerty

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:15–0:29)

10) The Beatles, “Yellow Submarine,” mm. 17–24

From Revolver (1966), words and music by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:36–0:53)

11) Billy Ray Cyrus, “Achy Breaky Heart,” mm. 21–28

From Some Gave All (1992), words and music by Don Von Tress

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:00–1:16)

12) The Drifters, “Save the Last Dance for Me,” verse

From Save the Last Dance for Me (1960), words and music by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:02–0:18)

13) Hank Williams, “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” verse

Single (1951), words and music by Hank Williams

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:06–0:29)

14) Eric Clapton, “Tulsa Time,” mm. 1–16

From Backless (1985), written by Danny Flowers

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:16–0:47)

I - vi

1) Jeff Buckley, “Hallelujah,” intro and verse

From Grace (1994), written by Leonard Cohen

Audio: YouTube (1:10–1:27)

[Intro: C Am C Am . . . . ]

C Am

I heard there was a secret chord

C Am

That David played and it pleased the Lord

2) Angelo Balalamenti, “Twin Peaks Theme”

From the TV series, Twin Peaks (1990)

Score: Image
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:26)

3) Lizzo, “Truth Hurts,” verse

From Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) (2019), written by Mina Lioness, Ricky Reed, jesse saint john, Steven Cheung & Lizzo

Audio: YouTube (0:11–0:36)

C Am C
I just took a DNA test, turns out I'm 100% that bitch

Am
Even when I'm crying crazy

C Am C
Yeah, I got boy problems, that's the human in me

C Am
Bling bling, then I solve 'em, that's the goddess in me

C
You coulda had a bad bitch, non-committal

Am C
Help you with your career just a little

Am C Am
You're 'posed to hold me down, but you're holding me back

C Am
And that's the sound of me not calling you back

4) Mother Mother, “Keep,” verse

From Dance and Cry (2018), written by Ryan Guldemond & Mother Mother

Audio: YouTube (1:15–1:34)

C Am C
I write it down, but to read it doesn't work

C Am C
Take it to town, but to be seen doesn't work

C Am C
Smack it around, but that only make it worse

C
I make it worse

5) The Isley Brothers, “Shout (pt. 1 and 2),” intro

From Shout! (1959), written by O'Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, and Rudolph Isley

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:07–0:23)

6) Chairlift, “Evident Utensil,” verse

From Does You Inspire You (2008), written by Patrick Wimberly, Caroline Polachek & Aaron Pfenning

Audio: YouTube (0:05–0:25)

C Am
The most evident utensil,

C Am
Is non other then a pencil,

C Am
Not a multi-colored stencil,

C Am
Or a camera and crew.

7) Lizzo, “Truth Hurts,” chorus

From Cuz I Love You (2019), written by Mina Lioness, Ricky Reed, jesse saint john, Tele & Lizzo

Audio: YouTube (0:36–1:01)

C Am

Why men great 'til they gotta be great?

C Am

Don't text me, tell it straight to my face

C Am

Best friend sat me down in the salon chair

C Am

Shampoo press, get you out of my hair

C Am

Fresh photos with the bomb lighting

C Am

New man on the Minnesota Vikings

C Am

Truth hurts, needed something more exciting

C Am

Bom bom bi dom bi dum bum bay

Chord Shuttles (Modal)

Backing Track: See the i - ♭VI, i - ♭III Chord Loops from Pop Repertoire here.

i - ♭II (“Phrygian Shuttle”)

1) Nelly, “Hot in Here,” chorus

From Nellyville (2002), written by Nelly, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo & Chuck Brown.

Audio: YouTube (1:08–1:27)

Em

It's gettin hot in here (so hot)

F

So take off all your clothes

Em F

(I am getting so hot, I wanna take my clothes off)

Em

It's gettin hot in here (so hot)

F

So take off all your clothes

G F#

(I am getting so hot, I wanna take my clothes off)

2) Portishead, “Mysterons,” verse

From Dummy (1994), written by Geoff Barrow, Beth Gibbons & Adrian Utley.

Audio: YouTube (0:23–0:48)

A#m Bm

Inside, you're pretending

A#m Bm

Crimes have been swept aside

A#m Bm

Somewhere

A#m Bm

Where they can forget

3) Justin Timberlake, “SexyBack,” chorus

From FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)

Audio: YouTube (1:54–2:12)

Am B♭

Come here, girl (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

Come here, girl (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

VIP (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

Drinks on me (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

Let me see what you're twerking with (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

Look at those hips (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

You make me smile (Go 'head, be gone with it)

Am B♭

Go 'head, child (Go 'head, be gone with it)

4) Aespa, “Drama,” chorus

From Drama (2023)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:57–1:13)

I - II (“Lydian Shuttle”)

1) New Kids on the Block, “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” chorus

From Hangin' Tough (1988), written by Maurice Starr

Audio: YouTube (0:37–0:55)
Instructor Note: | I | II | (x8)

A♭ B♭ A♭ B♭

You got the right stuff, baby

A♭ B♭ A♭ B♭

Love the way you turn me on

A♭ B♭ A♭ B♭

You got the right stuff, baby

A♭ B♭ A♭ B♭

You're the reason why I sing this song

I II I II

You got the right stuff, baby

I II I II

Love the way you turn me on

I II I II

You got the right stuff, baby

I II I II

You're the reason why I sing this song

i - ii

1) NewJeans, “Super Shy,” chorus

From Get Up (2023), written by Erika de Casier, Frankie Scoca, Kristine Bogan

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:53–1:19)

2) Doja Cat, “Paint the Town Red,” verse

From Scarlet (2023), written by Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Isaac Earl, Bynum, Jean-Baptiste Kouame, Karl Rubin, Ryan Buendia

Audio: YouTube (0:42–1:03)
Instructor Note: |: i7 | ii 7 :| The entire song shuttles between i7 and ii7 (Gm7 and Am7)
Instructor Note 2: This contains explicit lyrics. It's not included in the student anthology.

Gm7

Yeah, bitch, I said what I said

Am7

I'd rather be famous instead (walk on by)

Gm7

I let all that get to my head

Am7

I don't care, I paint the town red (walk on by)

Gm7

Bitch, I said what I said

Am7

I'd rather be famous instead (walk on by)

Gm7

I let all that get to my head

Am7

I don't care, I paint the town red (walk on by)

i7

Yeah, bitch, I said what I said

ii7

I'd rather be famous instead (walk on by)

i7

I let all that get to my head

ii7

I don't care, I paint the town red (walk on by)

i7

Bitch, I said what I said

ii7

I'd rather be famous instead (walk on by)

i7

I let all that get to my head

ii7

I don't care, I paint the town red (walk on by)

i - ♭III

Backing Track: See the i - ♭III Chord Loops from Pop Repertoire here (Minor tab)

1) Ari Pulkkinen, “Angry Birds Theme,” mm. 1–11

From the video game Angry Birds (2012)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:20)

i - IV (“Dorian Shuttle”)

1) Santana, “Evil Ways,” verse

From Santana (1969), written by Clarence “Sonny” Henry

Audio: YouTube (0:19–0:55)

Gm7 C Gm7 C

You've got to change your evil ways. . . ba-by,

Gm7 C Gm7 C

before I stop loving you.

C Gm7 C Gm7 C

You've go to change . . . ba-by.

Gm 7 C Gm7 C

And every word that I say, is true.

C Gm7 C

You've got me running and hiding,

Gm7 C

all over town.

C Gm7 C

You've got me sneaking and peeping,

Gm7 C

and running you down.

C D7

This can't go on . . .

Gm7 C Gm7

Lord knows you got to change . . . ba-by.

2) Aguilera, P!nk, Mya, Kim, “Lady Marmalade,” chorus

From the film Moulin Rouge (2001), written by Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim, Kenny Nolan, Bob Crewe

Audio: YouTube (0:24–0:54)

Gm C

Gitchie, gitchie, ya ya da da (yeah-ey)

Gm C

Gitchie, gitchie, ya ya here (here)

Gm C

Mocha Chocolata ya ya (ooh yeah)

Gm C

Creole Lady Marmalade

Gm C

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir (ah, oh)

Gm C

Voulez vous coucher avec moi (Yeah yeah yeah yeah)

3) Santana, “Oye Como Va,” verse

From Abraxas (1970), written by Tito Puente

Audio: YouTube (0:19–0:55)
Note: The whole song repeats the same progression.

Am7 D7

Oye cómo va, Mi ritmo

Am7 D7

Bueno pa' gozar, Mulata

Am7 D7

Oye cómo va, Mi ritmo

Am7 D7

Bueno pa' gozar, Mulata

4) Dead or Alive, “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record),” intro and verse

From Youthquake (1985), written by Mike Percy, Tim Lever, Wayne Hussey, Steve Coy, and Pete Burns

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:18–0:34)

5) Stevie Wonder, “I Wish,“ verse 1

From Songs in the Key of Life (1976), written by Stevie Wonder

Audio: YouTube (0:16–0:36)

E♭m7 A♭7

Looking back on when I

E♭m7 A♭7 E♭m7 A♭7 E♭m7 A♭7

was a little nappy-headed boy

E♭m7 A♭7

Then my only worry

E♭m7 A♭7 E♭m7 A♭7 E♭m7 A♭7

was for Christmas, what would be my toy

6) Gary Jules, “Mad World,” Prechorus

(2001) written by Ronald Orzabal; covered by Micharl Andrews and Gary Jules

Audio : YouTube (0:55–1:11)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| Fm | B♭ | Fm | B♭ | (x2)

Fm B♭ Fm

And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad

B♭

The dreams in which I'm dying are the best

Fm

I've ever had

7) Brandi Carlile, “Raise Hell,” verse 1

From Bear Creek (2012) written by Tim Hanseroth & Brandi Carlile

Audio : YouTube (0:04–0:24)
Harmonic Rhythm (student):
|Am |Am | D| Am|
|Am |Am|Am| D| Am| (x2)

Am

I've been down with a broken heart

D Am

Since the day I learned to speak

Am

The devil gave me a crooked start

D Am

When he gave me crooked feet

Am

But Gabriel done came to me

D Am

And kissed me in my sleep

Am N.C.

And I'll be singing like an angel

Am

Until I'm six feet deep

i - iv

1) Gang of Four, “Damaged Goods,” intro and verse

From Entertainment! (1979), written by Dave Allen, Hugo Burnham, Andy Gill and Jon King

Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:42)
Note: The entire song repeats the same progression.

Em Am/C

The change will do you good; I always knew it would

Em Am/C

Sometimes I'm thinking that I love you, but I know it's only lust

Em Am/C

Your kiss so sweet, your sweat so sour

2) Madonna, “She's Not Me,” verse 1

From Hard Candy (2008), written by Madonna and Pharrell Williams

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:17–0:41)

3) Brandy, “What About Us?,” verse 1

From Full Moon (2002), written by Brandy, Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Kenisha Pratt, and Nora Payne

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:08–0:29)

4) Hozier, “Take Me to Church,” mm. 1–8

From Hozier (2014), written by Hozier

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:23)

5) Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us,” verse 3

From Bravo: The Hits 2024 (2024), written by Kendrick Lamar, Mustard, Sounwave, Sean Momberger & Ray Charles

Audio: YouTube (0:49–0:58)
Harmonic Rhythm:| Bm . Em Bm | N.C.| (x4)

Bm Em Bm

They tell me Chubbs the only one that get your handmedowns

Bm Em Bm

And Party at the party playin' with his nose now

Bm Em Bm

And Baka got a weird case, why is he around?

Bm Em Bm

Certified Lover Boy?

6) Billie Eilish, “Lunch,” chorus

From Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024), written by Billie Eilish & FINNEAS

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:08–1:24)

i - v

1) Dave Brubeck Quartet, “Take Five”

From Time Out (1959), written by Paul Desmond

Score: Image
Audio: YouTube (0:19–0:49)

2) Nobuo Uematsu, “Terra,” mm. 1–4

From the video game Final Fantasy VI (1994)

Score: Image
Audio: YouTube (0:05–0:15)

3) Bill Withers, “Ain't No Sunshine,” verse

From Just As I Am (1971), written by Bill Withers

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:24)

I - v

1) Yasunori Mitsuda, “Guardia Millennial Fair,” mm. 9–16

From the video game Chrono Trigger. Transcription by DoubleMark from VGLeadSheets.

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:13–0:30)

i - ♭VI

Backing Track: See the i - ♭VI Chord Loops from Pop Repertoire here (Minor tab)

1) Bob Dylan, “All Along the Watchtower,” verse 1

From John Wesley Harding (1967), written by Bob Dylan

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:17–0:45)

2) Neil Young and Crazy Horse, “Change Your Mind,” mm. 7–14

From Sleeps with Angels (1994), written by Neil Young

Scores: Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:18–0:40)

3) Elvis Costello, “Watching the Detectives,” verse 1

From My Aim Is True (1977), written by Elvis Costello

Scores: Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:23–0:44)

4) Taylor Swift, “Guilty as Sin?,” verse 1

From The Tortured Poets Department (2024), written by Taylor Swift & Jack Antonoff

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:04–0:26)

I -♭VII (Mixolydian Shuttle)

1) Kinks, “Tired of Waiting for You,” verse

From Kinda Kinks (1965), written by Ray Davies

Audio: YouTube (0:09–0:29)

G F G F G F G

So tired, tired of waiting, tired of waiting for you

G F G F G F G

So tired, tired of waiting, tired of waiting for you

2) Stevie Wonder, “Uptight (Everything’s Alright),” chorus

From Up-Tight (1966), written by Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy & Stevie Wonder

Audio: YouTube (0:21–0:37)
Note: The entire song repeats the same progression.

D C/D D C/D

Baby, ev'rything is all right, uptight; out of sight.

D C/D D C/D

Baby, ev'rything is all right, uptight; out of sight.

3) Steppenwolf, “Born to be Wild,” bridge

From Steppenwolf (1968), written by Mars Bonfire

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (2:48–3:03)

4) Fiona Apple, “Carrion,” chorus

From Tidal (1996), written by Fiona Apple

Audio: YouTube (3:32–4:02)

C B♭7

My feel for you, boy

C B♭7

Is decaying in front of me

C B♭7 C B♭7

Like the carrion of a murdered prey

C B♭7

And all I want

C B♭7

Is to save you, honey

C B♭7 C B♭7

Or the strength to walk away

5) Dexy's Midnight Runners, “Geno,” intro and verse

From Searching for the Young Soul Rebels (1980), written by Kevin Rowland and Kevin Archer

Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:42)

C♯ B C♯

Back in '68 in a sweaty club

B

Oh, Geno

C♯ B C♯

Before Jimmy's Machine and The Rocksteady Rub

B

Oh, Geno

6) Akito Nakatsuka, “Inside House”

From the video game Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:08)

7) The Beatles, “Norwegian Wood,” verse

From Rubber Soul (1965)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:15–0:31)

8) Chappell Roan, “The Giver,” chorus

Single (2025)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:44–1:17)

9) Fanny, “Blind Alley,” verse 1

From Fanny Hill (1972), written by Alice de Buhr & Nickey Barclay

Audio: YouTube (0:42–0:57)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| G | G F . . | G | G F . . |
| G | G F . . | G | G |

G F G F

Take care of yourself, this is your story

G F

Your voice is shakin' the walls,

G

and they're crumbling down

i -♭VII (Subtonic Shuttle)

1) Tokuhiko Uwabo, “Secret Ways,” mm. 1–8

From the video game Phantasy Star II (1989)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:14)

2) The Beatles, “Now and Then,” verse 1

From The Beatles 1967–1970 (2023 Edition) (2023), written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney & Lennon-McCartney

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:29–0:58)

3) Alex Warren, “Ordinary,” verse and pre-chorus

From AW2* (2025), written by Adam Yaron, Alex Warren, CAL & Mags Duval

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube (0:07–0:35)

4) Luis R. Conriquez, Netón Vega, “Si No Quieres No,” chorus

From Si No Quieres No (2024), written by Netón Vega

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube (0:48–1:04)

i -♭VII - ♭VI -♭VII (Aeolian Shuttle)

See the section “Modal Loops”

1) Motoi Sakuraba, “Dark Pit’s Theme,” mm. 5–12

From the video game Kid Icarus: Uprising (2012). Transcription by Ashanti Mills from vgleadsheets.com.

Scores: Image, PDF, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:07–0:23)

Other Chord Shuttles

1) Bing Crosby, “Temptation,” mm. 1–8

From the film Going to Hollywood (1933), written by Nacio Herb Brown

Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:45)

2) Jefferson Airplane, “White Rabbit,” verse

From Surrealistic Pillow (1967), written by Grace Slick

Audio: YouTube (0:26–0:46)

F# G

One pill makes you larger and one pill makes you small

F# G

and the ones that mother gives you don't do anything at all

3) Portishead, “Mysterons,” verse
From Dummy (1994), written by Adrian Utley, Beth Gibbons & Geoff Barrow

Audio: mp3

B♭ C♭

Inside, you're pretending

B♭ C♭

Crimes have been swept aside

B♭ C♭

Somewhere

B♭ C♭

Where they can forget

4) Madness, “Night Boat to Cairo,” verse

From Madness (1979), written by Mike Barson & Graham McPherson

Audio: YouTube (1:00–1:27)

C B♭m

It's just gone noon, half past Monsoon,

C B♭m

On the banks of The River Nile.

C B♭m

Here comes the boat, only half-afloat,

C B♭m

Oarsman grins a toothless smile.

C B♭m

Only just one more, to this desolate shore,

C B♭m

Last boat along The River Nile.

C B♭m

Doesn't seem to care; no more wind in his hair,

C B♭m

As he reaches his last half mile.

5) Stone Temple Pilots, “Long Way Home,” verse

From Shangri-La Dee Da (2001), written by Scott Weiland & Dean DeLeo

Audio: YouTube (0:02–0:34)

G

Leave me out, get away, I've got to go

F#

Long way home, can't see through the trees

G

Leave me alone, get away, better run

F#

Fast as I can, from the man, the dirty man, the old man

6) America, “A Horse with No Name,” verse 1

From American (1971), music and lyrics by Dewey Bunnell

Audio: YouTube (1:32–2:04)

Em9 Dmaj9/F#
I've been through the desert on a horse with no name

Em9 Dmaj9/F#
It felt good to be out of the rain

Em9 Dmaj9/F#
In the desert you can remember your name

Em9 Dmaj9/F#
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain

Em9 Dmaj9/F# Em9 Dmaj9/F#
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la, la, la, la.

7) The Doors, “Break on Through,” verse 1

From The Doors (1967), written by John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek & Jim Morrison

Audio: YouTube (1:32–2:04)

Em D Em D Em D
You know the day destroys the night

Em D Em D Em
Night divides the day

D
Tried to run. Tried to hide

8) Nirvana, “Come As You Are,” verse

From Nevermind (1991), written by Kurt Cobain

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:16–0:48)

9) Fleetwood Mac, “Dreams,” verse

From Rumours (1977)

Audio: YouTube (0:16–1:11)

F G

Now here you go again

F G

You say you want your freedom

F G F G

Well, who am I to keep you down?

F G F G

It's only right that you should play the way you feel it

F G F

But listen carefully to the sound

G F G

Of your loneliness, like a heartbeat, drives you mad

F G F G

In the stillness of remembering what you had

F G

And what you lost

F G

And what you had

F G

And what you lost

10) The 5th Dimension, “Stoned Soul Picnic,” verse and chorus (phrases 1 and 2)

From Stoned Soul Picnic (1968), written by Laura Nyro

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:32)

More Examples

The NYU Chord Progression spreadsheet includes additional examples of shuttles for aural ID. (See the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet).
Philip Tagg, Everyday Tonality: See the tables of examples in Chapter 12: Chord Shuttles on pp. 374, 376–77, 383–85, and 389.