• Home
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Hosting
  • Newsletter
  • T-Shirt
  • Tips
  • Contact

Laughing Squid

A daily dose of unique art, culture and technology.

The Brilliant Complexity Embedded in the Simple I IV V Chord Progression of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Respect’

by Lori Dorn on September 10, 2018

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

In memory of the late, great Aretha Franklin, the doodling, fast talking and extremely knowledgeable music theorist 12Tone musically breaks down “Respect” one of the Queen of Soul’s most iconic songs. He illustrates how the syncopated bass line, the use of the blue note, the dischordant sax solo, the background singers and of course, Franklin’s incredible voice all add brilliant complexity to the otherwise uncomplicated I IV V chord progression of the song.

In the history of popular music, there have been few voices as powerful or as memorable as Aretha Franklin’s. The music world lost a true legend last month, and I wanted to pay tribute to the Queen of Soul by analyzing one of her most famous and enduring songs, Respect. It’s a rousing anthem that feels like it goes on much longer than its two and a half minute run-time, and despite (or perhaps because of) its fairly simple harmony, it remains iconic to this day.

Had to pay tribute to the Queen of Soul. https://t.co/vFhqvckSLb

— 12tone (@12tonevideos) September 7, 2018

Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter and Flipboard


Related Laughing Squid Posts



← Previous Post
Next Post →


Follow Laughing Squid: Facebook | Twitter | RSS

Managed WordPress Hosting

Laughing Squid Hosting

Use promo code HOLIDAY2019 for two free months of Managed WordPress at Laughing Squid Hosting. Includes website migration.

Trending on Laughing Squid

  • The Longest Walkable Distance on Earth
    The Longest Walkable Distance on Earth
  • Jedi Cosplayer Creates an Amazing Lightsaber Attachment for Her Amputated Arm
    Jedi Cosplayer Creates an Amazing Lightsaber Attachment for Her Amputated Arm
  • 'Dear Satan', An Animated Short About a Girl Who Accidentally Writes Letter to Satan Instead of Santa
    'Dear Satan', An Animated Short About a Girl Who Accidentally Writes Letter to Satan Instead of Santa
  • A Stunning Photo That Captures a Pod of Sleeping Sperm Whales as They Float in Deep Water
    A Stunning Photo That Captures a Pod of Sleeping Sperm Whales as They Float in Deep Water
  • 'Pachelbel's Canon' Performed on Train Horns
    'Pachelbel's Canon' Performed on Train Horns

Powered by Laughing Squid Hosting and WordPress VIP | Affiliate Disclosure | Privacy Policy | © 1995-2019 Laughing Squid LLC, all rights reserved