21 Songs that use Pachelbel's Canon chord progression

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ค. 2024
  • Start learning how to play the piano today with flowkey: go.flowkey.com/davidbennett 🎹😁
    Whether in its original form, or with slight adjustment, the chord progression used throughout Johann Pachelbel's "Canon in D" has been repurposed into numerous pop songs, and Peter Waterman even claims that Canon is "the godfather of all pop music".
    My own original music is available on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/0wKKJ... 🎶
    And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
    SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: / davidbennettpiano 🎹
    0:00 Introduction
    1:01 Examples
    3:08 Variations on the progression
    6:27 Flowkey
    7:11 Why is it so popular?

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  • @DavidBennettPiano
    @DavidBennettPiano  ปีที่แล้ว +111

    Start learning how to play the piano today with flowkey: go.flowkey.com/davidbennett 🎹😁

    • @kjl3080
      @kjl3080 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Flowkey 2 when

    • @tiyenin
      @tiyenin ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I honestly can't believe that you missed Dragonforce's timeless "Valley of the Damned," specifically the chorus.
      th-cam.com/video/M0TplIeZoYg/w-d-xo.html
      Surprise! Metal pulls influences from classical, too.

    • @tiyenin
      @tiyenin ปีที่แล้ว +1

      For instance, let's see if you recognize the world's most obvious nod to Mozart's "Lacrimosa" (from his Requiem) in the following technical death metal tune, "Reverie on the Onyx" by Archspire: th-cam.com/video/GpxBoa1YM_c/w-d-xo.html

    • @UkeofCarl
      @UkeofCarl ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@tiyenin I expect he’ll be doing an entire series on Archispere soon enough.

    • @tiyenin
      @tiyenin ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@UkeofCarl That happens, I'd join his patreon without question.

  • @melickon
    @melickon ปีที่แล้ว +455

    Maroon 5 not only following chord progression, but also using Pachelbel melody

    • @ledkicker2392
      @ledkicker2392 ปีที่แล้ว +75

      That's why it's the most obvious and blatant use

    • @danmaduff8919
      @danmaduff8919 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      Yup. Taking a page out of the Coldplay book.

    • @AS-fu1kd
      @AS-fu1kd ปีที่แล้ว +39

      They didn't even try changing it. Crazy how you can just play a song with a slightly different rhythm and add lyrics then it's just a "different song"

    • @melickon
      @melickon ปีที่แล้ว +25

      @@AS-fu1kd why to change? This is perfectly Ok to use music. I just do not get it why they did not mentioned music author in credits

    • @AS-fu1kd
      @AS-fu1kd ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@melickon I never said it was a bad thing

  • @videosefilmes22
    @videosefilmes22 ปีที่แล้ว +93

    Never would I thought I'd see Rick Astley and the Soviet national anthem in the same video

  • @tzoreehandler9163
    @tzoreehandler9163 ปีที่แล้ว +2197

    From this video I assume that both The Beatles and Radiohead have never had a song using Pachelbel's Canon chord progression.

    • @TeShiky
      @TeShiky ปีที่แล้ว +53

      I don't think they have honestly.

    • @rumtumbugger
      @rumtumbugger ปีที่แล้ว +256

      Let It Be is not far off...

    • @jochem420
      @jochem420 ปีที่แล้ว +155

      not many people are as creative as the Beatles or Radiohead when i comes to chord progressions. Pachelbel might be the most cheesy progression ever

    • @johnheart6890
      @johnheart6890 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      What about Lennon’s “Mind Games?”

    • @HarvenHaven
      @HarvenHaven ปีที่แล้ว +25

      @@jochem420 i mean yea but ladies and gentleman uses it and is also one of the best songs ive heard so it can b done

  • @annevcz
    @annevcz ปีที่แล้ว +1556

    Cool, now I will never unhear Pachelbel's Canon in the Russian anthem.

    • @lavendelle_swift
      @lavendelle_swift ปีที่แล้ว +19

      Interesting!

    • @GizzyDillespee
      @GizzyDillespee ปีที่แล้ว +42

      Well, I can't unhear Jimmy Hendrix in the American anthem, and that's worse! He didn't borrow from an old song and put that into an anthem - he just went ahead and heisted the anthem itself, and now it's a Jimmy Hendrix song! And he did it to the most powerful country on Earth... stole the anthem. The taxpayers hired Whitney and Gaga and whatnot, to try and take it back, but they couldn't overcome Jimmy's mementum. It's really ironic that His estate has done more to ruin the meme-osity than any alleged challenger has. You can't hardly hear his version anymore, except burned into your brain. That only increases its legendary status. Well, that's it for the celebration. The important thing is to remember, they're just like you and me.

    • @RED40HOURS
      @RED40HOURS ปีที่แล้ว +19

      @@GizzyDillespee when i think of the american anthem i always hear the normal instrumental version..

    • @yummers2001
      @yummers2001 ปีที่แล้ว +78

      I'll never unhear the Russian anthem in Go West now either!!

    • @xubse
      @xubse ปีที่แล้ว +24

      @@yummers2001 I think that's intentional

  • @Pedro_Larroza
    @Pedro_Larroza ปีที่แล้ว +398

    10:07 David manages to rickroll us while staying in theme. Sweet.

    • @smittywababla
      @smittywababla ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Of course he had to find way to rick roll us somehow lol

    • @111ram1
      @111ram1 ปีที่แล้ว +31

      He did it once. The flood gates have been opened.

    • @themathhatter5290
      @themathhatter5290 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      You thought you were safe just because the chord loop isn't the one we're talking about? Think again.

    • @YXXXXNN
      @YXXXXNN ปีที่แล้ว +14

      If i had a nickel for every time David Rickrolled the audience in a month, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice

    • @rodrigoappendino
      @rodrigoappendino ปีที่แล้ว +1

      He did it. Again.

  • @leonardohonorato3652
    @leonardohonorato3652 ปีที่แล้ว +205

    i love the fact that "laddies and gentlemen" uses not only the pachelbel's canon chord progression, but they managed to sing "can't help falling in love" from Elvis Presley too. Thats works so nice to me

    • @lucasmonteiro4741
      @lucasmonteiro4741 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Reminds me of what Simon & Garfunkel did with “Scarborough Fair”. They mixed up two existing songs to effectively create something new.

    • @ludwigderkommentar6436
      @ludwigderkommentar6436 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      nice profile pic

    • @charles_heres
      @charles_heres ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Speaking of, Cant Help Falling in Love is based in late XVIIth century "Plaisir d'Amour" and once you note that it actually pops out a lot. I think for example the megahit Eres tú (Touch the Wind) by Mocedades uses it.

    • @leonardohonorato3652
      @leonardohonorato3652 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@ludwigderkommentar6436 yours is better bud

    • @leonardohonorato3652
      @leonardohonorato3652 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@charles_heres oh yeah i heard of that french song too while reading about Elvis' one. All those songs are reallly pleasing to listen to

  • @johnmortison5763
    @johnmortison5763 ปีที่แล้ว +405

    In the Renaissance and Baroque periods, there were many pieces that were essentially increasingly complex variations on a tune played over a "ground" bass line, usually a four bar chord progression. Many of these progressions became famous and had names (Romanesca being one). Yes, they are repetitive, but they provided a formal structure over which the composer (or performer) could display their talents and were very popular.

    • @smartaleckduck4135
      @smartaleckduck4135 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Very similar to many jazz standards, where a chord progression is laid out in a chart and it’s often left up to the band to interpret phrasings and Melodies, as well as allowing individual musicians to flex their talent of improv through solos

    • @GizzyDillespee
      @GizzyDillespee ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Today it's band in a box or loopmasters, and people jam over the top. I'd rather make my own chord loops, but it's a consumer culture.

    • @cseggerman
      @cseggerman ปีที่แล้ว +11

      La Folia also. Dances used a lot of ostinato patterns. I think this helped their spread because people could dance to them. Passamezzos, too.

    • @KaisKites
      @KaisKites ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Bach, circular to circle town. Just more than 4.

    • @pfarnsworth84
      @pfarnsworth84 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Ah yes, the Ground Round, which died out around the time of PDQ Bach.

  • @juliendespois508
    @juliendespois508 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    For those who want to look further, this chord progression is called the Romanesca, here in its older form which has a bassline that goes down a fifth then up a second, and also exists with a stepwise descending bassline, or a mix of the two, the "Galant" Romanesca.

  • @eli-shulga
    @eli-shulga ปีที่แล้ว +619

    These chord progression videos are pure gold. Adding all of these to a playlist for messing around later.
    Your channel is an incredible help - Thanks

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  ปีที่แล้ว +28

      Thank you 😊

    • @nathanielholzgrafe5274
      @nathanielholzgrafe5274 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      @@DavidBennettPiano Concur, David. After seeing these vids I write them down and improvise over them in as many keys as I have patience for. It's helped me internalize these harmonies and has improved my ear.After your "7 Common Progressions" video I've been picking out Andalusian Cadences and the Motown progressions all over the place. Bo Burnham's Inside Outtakes, for example, include both. Spider is andalusian and one of the bezos variation is distinctly doo-wop/motown. Your vids are fabulous for the late beginner developing their ear, grasping some basic theory, and getting comfortable with basic rock/pop improv.
      Keep it up.

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  ปีที่แล้ว +14

      @@nathanielholzgrafe5274 thank you! That really means a lot 😃😃

    • @jasonfanclub4267
      @jasonfanclub4267 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Did the same

    • @Irys1997
      @Irys1997 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Underrated comment. As someone who is a progressing beginner, it seems like things like “what pieces use what chord progressions” are like an unspoken secret that real musicians understand and keep hidden from the rest of the world. Not out of spite but more that they just hear it and have forgotten that everyone else doesn’t

  • @benjaminprietop
    @benjaminprietop ปีที่แล้ว +325

    never would've guessed that the USSR anthem had the same chords as Pachelbel's Canon, great video

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  ปีที่แล้ว +30

      Thanks 😊

    • @spherbert8080
      @spherbert8080 ปีที่แล้ว +59

      Love the transition from the USSR national anthem to the Pet Shop Boys!

    • @schaerfentiefe1967
      @schaerfentiefe1967 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@spherbert8080 me too! That was so funny! 😁

    • @kakahtukat
      @kakahtukat ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@spherbert8080 cleaner than mr.clean

    • @Sonny_McMacsson
      @Sonny_McMacsson ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Making an orchestra play that piece of is practically Stalinism.

  • @violinscratcher
    @violinscratcher ปีที่แล้ว +152

    This progression is much older than Pachelbel‘s canon. It is mentioned in a treatise from 1480 „De praeceptis artis musicae“ by Guilielmus Monachus. It is discribed as a parallel motion of thirds (basically the beginning of Pachelbel‘s canon) with added base notes to complete the chords. It was always a beloved progression for improvisation. As said the traditionel name is Romanesca. It exsits a minor version of that progression which is called la Folia, e.g. the famous Sarabande by Händel.
    th-cam.com/video/xOLQd_pUbxs/w-d-xo.html

  • @shandya
    @shandya ปีที่แล้ว +142

    The transition from Russian Anthem to Go West is so satisfying and somehow predictable haha

    • @PaulWallis
      @PaulWallis ปีที่แล้ว +4

      LOL!

    • @gustavoadolforeyessalas4495
      @gustavoadolforeyessalas4495 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Perhaps Pet shop boys wanted to copy the Soviet anthem in the background of Go west, and that's why sounds so predictable.
      Mind blown for me: The Oasis and Aerosmith songs.

    • @jorgitoislamico4224
      @jorgitoislamico4224 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@gustavoadolforeyessalas4495The song is originally from Village People.

  • @emmbeesea
    @emmbeesea ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Much love for The Scatman!
    He's still out there, livin' it up in Scatland.

  • @cherrysunburst828
    @cherrysunburst828 ปีที่แล้ว +127

    There's a reason it's so popular, it's one of the greatest chord progressions ever

    • @Remour
      @Remour ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Too bad its become stale at this point

    • @KaisKites
      @KaisKites ปีที่แล้ว +2

      For easy listening. I prefer more heavy stuff.

    • @Kriegter
      @Kriegter 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@KaisKites lol. Listen to Cacophony. This progression + heavy is possible

    • @wafflesaucey
      @wafflesaucey 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      as a cellist i am obligated to disagree

  • @jeffyracks1463
    @jeffyracks1463 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I love how Hook by Blues Traveler is literally about how this chord progression is overused, “if I’m feeling stuck, and need a buck, I don’t rely on luck because the hook brings you back.” And then it became their most popular song

  • @PuppetMasterIX
    @PuppetMasterIX ปีที่แล้ว +53

    3:21 "Hook" by Blues Traveler is my favorite use of this progression, since it's used specifically in service of the song's message. Lyrically, the song itself is a satirical critique on the state of pop radio at the time - in particular, how many songs were either overly formulaic, undervalued meaningful or even coherent lyrical content, or were blatantly made just for a paycheck. They use Pachelbel's Canon as the base progression because, by 1994, it was so frequently used in popular music that it was reputed in songwriting circles as cliché, a fallback for those who treated easy-listening pop music as a business.

    • @kahlilahkilgore7004
      @kahlilahkilgore7004 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Yessss. I loved that song as a kid because it was easy listening. Only rediscovered it in the past couple years and was able to understand the lyrics and how it was all a parody and a critique. But before this video I didn't realize that it was based on this chord progression. That just adds another layer.

    • @squatchfromearth4076
      @squatchfromearth4076 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Loved that song cause it was satirical

    • @TheShoottheradio
      @TheShoottheradio 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      This was my first thought when seeing this video. Hook is a genius pop song.

  • @HDv2b
    @HDv2b ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Mind blown because I finally have an explanation for why, as a non-music-theorist, sometimes I whistle one of my favourite pop or rock songs, I find myself transitioning to Pachelbel's Cannon without realising.

  • @cosimobaldi03
    @cosimobaldi03 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    Also the movement of the couples of chords separated by a fifth is by thirds down the major scale (D, Bm, G), which is a very satisfying movement and allows to repeat the same melody on top without making really strage chords

  • @BrytonBand
    @BrytonBand ปีที่แล้ว +209

    Hi David,
    I just wanted to thank you for the past near-three years of content on this channel. I really got into your content during the middle of 2020 and you amongst many other TH-camrs who dissect songs through production and music theory. It has not only helped me learn and compose music a lot faster than usual, but gave a whole new level of appreciation for songs I’ve heard a hundreds times over. Not to mention your mentioning of Hook Theory really accelerated things for me in terms of understanding and composing modal structures.
    After acquiring the knowledge and practicing in this past year or two, I think I’m on the cusp of making my own demos soon and plan to go all the way by going into the studio with them. That being said, I’ve always dreamt about doing this ever since I was 12 so I once again want to thank you (amongst others) for basically changing my life and fulfilling a dream come true.
    Keep it up.
    -Bryton

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  ปีที่แล้ว +33

      I’m really glad that my videos are helping people like you! It really motivates me to get support like this, so thank you! 😃

  • @lorenzogumier7646
    @lorenzogumier7646 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Classic music has so much to teach to everybody, especially to those who dislike it.

  • @d.s.19
    @d.s.19 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    Pachabel rant comedy bit by Rob Paravonian introduced me to the cello hell that is Pachabel canon in D 15 years ago and I've been hearing it everywhere ever since.

    • @dimethylhexane
      @dimethylhexane ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I was surprised he didn't mention it! definitely worth a watch

    • @scromp
      @scromp ปีที่แล้ว

      To save people time since I had just gone to look it up too : th-cam.com/video/uxC1fPE1QEE/w-d-xo.html

    • @brighamshamrell4524
      @brighamshamrell4524 ปีที่แล้ว

      th-cam.com/video/uxC1fPE1QEE/w-d-xo.html

    • @AutodidacticPhd
      @AutodidacticPhd ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@dimethylhexane Especially since he re-posted a higher quality version a few years ago. I actually found this video in the suggestions after watching it earlier.

  • @chiregio58
    @chiregio58 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    OMG.... my tears are running after I watched your video ! I've listening to the Pachelbel's Canon since I was, 15,16 yo, now I am 64, and this description really warms up my heart. I will just add, as a humble contribution, that there are two songs that are really inspired on the Canon : "Le temps de vivre" by French Singer Georges Moustaki, and "Find a way to my heart" by Phil Collins. David..THANK's for this AWESOME VIDEO....

  • @Hoodiebud
    @Hoodiebud ปีที่แล้ว +68

    My favorite use of it is in Komm Susser Todd from the anime movie End of Evangelion. Love how it uses the imo very euphorically joyous and weddingly chord progression and over it incredibly depressing and nihilistic lyrics.

    • @dqaupop
      @dqaupop ปีที่แล้ว +14

      It’s only natural that song would use a progression consisting of three descending 4ths: tumbling down, tumbling down, tumbling down. Coincidence? Probably.

    • @Jamtron88
      @Jamtron88 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      That song is one of my all time favourites for exactly that reason! That juxtaposition is also the reason for the use of Ode to Joy in Evangelion.

    • @joanhailey8969
      @joanhailey8969 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      There's also a passage in Canon in D that almost directly maps onto the "so with sadness in my heart/feel the best thing I can do" lines of Komm Susser Tod.
      EDIT: Nvm, that passage is ACTUALLY in Air on the G String, I misremembered. Still, it shows how cleverly written Komm Susser Tod is that it can reference both Canon in D and Air, both of which have narrative significance within Evangelion.

    • @MariIceCream
      @MariIceCream ปีที่แล้ว

      I can't believe i didn't realise that

    • @alicebagli
      @alicebagli ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I finished the original series just a couple of days ago and I was thinking the very same thing about Ode to Joy. Love it when media use classical pieces with a "triumphant" vibe in them in contrast with the scene that's been shown in the meantime, it's one of my fave music-related tropes :)

  • @gamersplanet8053
    @gamersplanet8053 ปีที่แล้ว +89

    The most beautiful chord progression I’ve ever heard.

    • @markknopflerisnot
      @markknopflerisnot ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Maybe you to listen to mroe music

    • @KaisKites
      @KaisKites ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Much too nice for me, 0 edge. B like in boring.

  • @northfoxone
    @northfoxone ปีที่แล้ว +51

    Somewhat Green Day Basket Case is one that uses this which I'm glad you featured with the slight variation
    (i was trying to figure out this chord progression on piano and it sounded like Canon in D) 5:11

  • @benitosandovalhere
    @benitosandovalhere ปีที่แล้ว +43

    I laughed out loud when the Soviet Anthem came up. I didn't expect that!

  • @JazzGuitarScrapbook
    @JazzGuitarScrapbook ปีที่แล้ว +44

    This first four bars of this progression is called the Romanesca in some 18th century theory texts. It come in two distinct forms - leaping bass and stepwise bass. In the latter form it’s known as the Gallant Romanesca by modern classical theorists and this is the form preferred by Oasis. I don’t think these theorists are familiar with the theoretical writings of Pete Waterman haha (who is tbf a massive classical music nerd.)
    All the Young Dudes by Mott the Hoople is my favourite example. Very clever use. I also like Mamma Mia.

  • @rjpiercy2
    @rjpiercy2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Hello David. I played this on violin decades ago (I am very old). What I found interesting is how it relates to the elements of the circle of 5ths. D to A, then the relative minor of both; Bm to F#m, then G to D, then resolving back with G to A to start the 8 bars again. Really have been enjoying your discussions of music theory and how it is applied in western (and sometimes eastern) music from different eras. Really good content. Thank you.

  • @Owen_plays_music1049
    @Owen_plays_music1049 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    5:11 Damn Basket Case using a variation of the Pachelbel Canon chords, that's pretty fun and interessing to see all those songs using those chords !

    • @WaitingForTheHook
      @WaitingForTheHook ปีที่แล้ว +5

      So does the song "One Of My Lies," by Green Day, off their album Kerplunk, which came out a couple years before Dookie.

    • @hunter00143
      @hunter00143 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Naruto Shippuden OP 6 has a variation in the first few seconds

    • @davidozab2753
      @davidozab2753 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      "Punk music is a joke/It's really just baroque ..."

    • @rumtumbugger
      @rumtumbugger ปีที่แล้ว

      You'd expect basket case to be using the iii of the key but it seem to use the major (B# in the chords I think)...it just sort of works as it naturally seems to follows the C#m chord... I think it seems to jump between E major and C# harmonic minor.
      In much the same way the second chord of Hotel California is F# major... Is there a technical terms for that cadence I wonder?

    • @WaitingForTheHook
      @WaitingForTheHook ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@rumtumbugger Basketcase does use the iii, though. Eb - Bb - Cmin - Gmin - Ab - Eb - Bb You can tell because the "whine" note is a Bb, not a B. If they played the major but sang the minor, it'd sound like crapola.

  • @SomniRespiratoryFlux
    @SomniRespiratoryFlux ปีที่แล้ว +11

    4:42 _our_ chord progression

  • @dbsagacious
    @dbsagacious ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I always think of Canon like a Blues or Boogie Woogie song. The left constantly repeating while the right is free to improvise over it.

  • @jonbona876
    @jonbona876 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Another great video! I have played guitar for 20+ years, but just began my piano journey a few months ago. Your videos have been both very helpful getting me to visualize the keys, and also have drastically improved my understanding of theory. Thank you so much for all your hard work.

  • @MateoJ
    @MateoJ ปีที่แล้ว +12

    youre the godfather of my musical knowledge.

  • @samuelhornmusik
    @samuelhornmusik ปีที่แล้ว +3

    what a fantastically diverse list of music!! thank you for this!

  • @justinreilly3107
    @justinreilly3107 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great analysis, very much enjoy your music analysis. I have limited piano theory training but doesn’t stop me from picking up quite a bit of helpful and informative tips from watching your videos. This was a song I knew how to play from piano lessons 35 years ago, but can still use this to help understand now the chord progressions and theory to it and why it works so well on a loop.

  • @i.setyawan
    @i.setyawan ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Another excellent video. This chord progression is indeed so pleasing. Peaceful, soothing. I'm quite surprised at how many songs have been using it, and how versatile it is to convey various moods (particularly, I am surprised that I never recognize the progression in USSR anthem!). Also, the outro music you provided is also very pleasing.

  • @thegothaunt
    @thegothaunt ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Ever since I was a little kid this chord progression just felt so special and it always stayed with me. Learning that it's in so many nostalgic songs for me like Aerosmith's 'Cryin'' ...it makes sense why it keeps hitting so hard! I love your analysis videos so much.

  • @Zveebo
    @Zveebo ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Wow, I knew plenty of these examples individually, but I had no idea collectively there were quite so many of them! It must be by some distance the single most influential piece of classical music on modern popular music.

    • @scromp
      @scromp ปีที่แล้ว

      You need to see this, then: th-cam.com/video/uxC1fPE1QEE/w-d-xo.html

  • @sourisvoleur4854
    @sourisvoleur4854 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Looping chord progression before the 1970s: I-vi-IV-V7. The doowoop progression. It was everywhere in the late 1950s/early 1960s.

  • @Jamtron88
    @Jamtron88 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    These chord progression videos have been some of the most helpful material for developing an ear I've ever come across. You could package these and sell them in a course.

  • @beesnuts2918
    @beesnuts2918 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    thank you for not rickrolling us! amazing content as always.

    • @Irys1997
      @Irys1997 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Sorry to disappoint you 10:08

    • @LaRana08
      @LaRana08 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      You know he didn’t watch the whole video lol

  • @alnitaka
    @alnitaka ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I note you said at 9:14 that it is unusual for a classical piece of music to be repeated over and over again, like Pachelbel. I note that Handel's Passacaglia in G minor also repeats a theme over and over again, and several popular pieces of music (I will survive, Autumn Leaves, Fly Me to the Moon and so forth) also have this progression, which I call the Heptagon, also called Circle of Fifths progression.

    • @marcvandyck8052
      @marcvandyck8052 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It is not unusual at all. Canon, passacaille, chaconne, they were all over the place. Pachelbel wrote two of them, Buxtehude three, Cabanilles in Spain, Couperin in France, and it was also a very common form in choral sacred music. And then there’s Bach’s passacaille, a true music monument.

  • @Wkkbooks
    @Wkkbooks ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beautifully done. You have a delightful grasp of musical materials.

  • @rumtumbugger
    @rumtumbugger ปีที่แล้ว +8

    My favourite use is (I think it qualifies) is the second half of the chorus of Mama Mia, possibly the best pop song ever constructed IMHO.

  • @dep7311
    @dep7311 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    First song I learned when started playing. I then noticed a lot of song seems so familiar to it. I thought I just missed playing but now I understand. Thanks for the vid!

  • @jeffhirshberg5171
    @jeffhirshberg5171 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Daryl Hall's solo (minor) chart making song (in the US), "Dreamtime," is wholly constructed from the canon in D. The outro doesn't even try to mask it; the string section begins to play it note for note.

  • @TigerRogers0660
    @TigerRogers0660 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks David!! I did not realize till now that one of my own compositions uses this chord progression!!!!

  • @JoeKell365
    @JoeKell365 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Canon is my favorite piece of classical music, and i'm glad to see it show up in one of your analyses. i always found it to be very soothing and relaxing, and it always makes me feel a little better anytime i hear it

  • @oelarnes
    @oelarnes ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thanks for including "Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying," it's a lovely song and one of the more distinctive melodies to use this progression. I'll note this song also uses a variation in the second 8, it goes I V vi iii V I II IV over the same melody.

  • @da_schnitzel
    @da_schnitzel ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Your videos make music theory seem so simple to learn! Seriously, how do you do it!!! Great work :))

  • @Bubba-zu6yr
    @Bubba-zu6yr ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Appreciate you slipping Joe in there… “Home Town” is a long time favorite of mine! Thank you!👍

  • @LouisLiuMusic
    @LouisLiuMusic ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It’s a beautiful progression with certain reminiscent feel to it.❤❤❤

  • @markpeam8549
    @markpeam8549 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Superb. Sitting here recovering from CV19 with just a MIDI controller and Garageband, and this is just what I need. So easy to embellish an alternative melody. I liked Ben Folds variation - will look up the whole song. Thanks (once again).

  • @Azziekins
    @Azziekins ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I think my favourite version of this progression is the Polyphonic Spree's Light and Day. A super simple song, but captures so much joy.

  • @donnafox7964
    @donnafox7964 ปีที่แล้ว

    One of my favorite pieces of music. I'm understanding music on a whole new level.
    Thank you.

  • @robinfinetto5871
    @robinfinetto5871 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    National Anthem of the USSR transitioning into Go West was hilarious

  • @sebaverde
    @sebaverde ปีที่แล้ว +10

    The last section of Avantasia's "The Seven Angels" (the one that starts roughly at 11.44) is a beautiful example of the Pachelbel's progression with the minor ii chord on the 7th bar

    • @RollerdinoGaming
      @RollerdinoGaming ปีที่แล้ว +1

      was scrolling down to find this comment lmao

  • @alistairboak3128
    @alistairboak3128 ปีที่แล้ว

    Echoing some many here thank you for your explanations and insights and your playing. Excellent!

  • @MikeCaffyn1
    @MikeCaffyn1 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My entire reason for learning piano is to be able to do what you did at the end there - brilliant 'structured improvisation'.
    For you, simple - for me, a dream, but one day, I will get there.

  • @nonamegiven7594
    @nonamegiven7594 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us all!

  • @SarimFaruque
    @SarimFaruque ปีที่แล้ว +20

    This chord progression is popular in the chorus of power metal music as well. Examples include Emerald Sword by Rhapsody of Fire and Destiny by Galneryus

    • @nissenilsson9158
      @nissenilsson9158 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Ending to avantasias seven angels

    • @SolarDeathRay
      @SolarDeathRay ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Valley Of The Damned by Dragonforce springs to mind as well.

    • @joelwagg8314
      @joelwagg8314 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Similar vein, Avantasia’s Seven Angels goes full Pachelbel for the last few minutes (edit: ha, someone else beat me to it, but oh well)

    • @superheavydeathmetal
      @superheavydeathmetal ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ha! I love Emerald Sword! I can almost play that song and I have never noticed it has the same progression as Canon.

    • @fazdoll
      @fazdoll ปีที่แล้ว

      Manowar's ballad "Courage" uses the pure chord progression.

  • @rickandmargie
    @rickandmargie ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Love Canon in D. Brings me tears of joy..........

  • @Michael-mm3fm
    @Michael-mm3fm ปีที่แล้ว

    gorgeous piano at the end, I love anyone that can play a musical instrument well.

  • @CarlSong
    @CarlSong ปีที่แล้ว +31

    A key aspect you didn't mention about this chord progression is how the bass line can walk down the scale, especially with the ii chord variant.
    Using the key of D as an example: D, A/C#, Bm, F#/A, G, D/F#, Em, A(/E)

    • @HermelThePolyglot
      @HermelThePolyglot ปีที่แล้ว +2

      this is used in "Love in the first degree" for example, and it's a great bassline!

    • @HermelThePolyglot
      @HermelThePolyglot ปีที่แล้ว +2

      you can also find parts of this descending bassline in the verse of "man in the mirror" by Michael Jackson

  • @HappyBeezerStudios
    @HappyBeezerStudios ปีที่แล้ว +3

    As someone who knows Rob Paravonian's Pachelbel Rant, this was pretty much a return to some classic references.
    Another song that uses the chord progression, and the Canon in D, directly, is "Die Eine" by the german rap group "Die Firma"

  • @romanarutyunyan8709
    @romanarutyunyan8709 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks David. What a great explanation! I immediately thought about "2 Brothers on the 4th floor - Fairytale"

  • @aldomaresca9994
    @aldomaresca9994 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That improvised part at the end felt very nice, thanks!

  • @richardchin2633
    @richardchin2633 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    So Pachelbel's Canon inspired loop based chord progressions, and loop based chord progressions have led to a revival in interest in Pachelbel's Canon - a different sort of loop.

  • @matiasvazquezm
    @matiasvazquezm ปีที่แล้ว +4

    You should make a video about "songs that use 3+3+2 subdivision".

  • @null0byte
    @null0byte 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Fantastic video, very informative and one of the most elaborate rickrolls I’ve ever seen ❤

  • @lim7lim
    @lim7lim ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for letting us hear your beautiful soloing at the end, without a voice over.

  • @originoflogos
    @originoflogos ปีที่แล้ว +62

    This chord progression is simultaneously poignant and jubilant.
    Sadness and joyousness in a waltz of eternal fellowship. This is what makes life worth experiencing!

    • @JeffMountainPicker
      @JeffMountainPicker ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Great, isn't it?
      Thanks to you, too, for such a wonderful sentiment!

    • @PaulWallis
      @PaulWallis ปีที่แล้ว

      Origin of Language - Nicely said!

  • @musitect
    @musitect ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Great and informative video as always!

  • @composer7325
    @composer7325 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Another excellent video,thank you ,David.

  • @AidanEyewitness
    @AidanEyewitness ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love that chord progression, both in its original form and in some of the pop songs, especially Coolio. I wasn't consciously aware that many other pop songs used it. With all due respect to my school music teachers, you are definitely the music teacher I wish I had had at school!

  • @themaninthegoldenfields2543
    @themaninthegoldenfields2543 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Green Day used it twice. Basket case in the key of E and One of my lies in the key of D. Both use this progression in the verses. It’s my favorite progression because it flows so well and it’s so easy to write a great melody over.

  • @HobbesTWC
    @HobbesTWC ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Easily one of the most beautiful pieces ever written. I think a lot of people overlook it because it is so well known.

    • @en2456
      @en2456 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      One of the cases of something being so well-known but it's completely and utterly deserved.

  • @alexdiniz5
    @alexdiniz5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your video was amazing. Congrats. I've always loved music. Now that I've watched your video, I love it even more. Thanks for your content and deep explanations.

  • @naveedkhursheed2129
    @naveedkhursheed2129 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you very much. You relived me from the song stuck in my mind.

  • @AlexPies1
    @AlexPies1 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    some other songs with a variation on the chord progression are:
    • My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade (...IV-I-ii-V)
    • Goldfinger - Superman (...IV-I-V-V) (at least in the verses)

    • @Chigger
      @Chigger ปีที่แล้ว

      When I first heard "Canon in D", my brain went "I'm trying to sleep, I lost count of sheep, my mind is racing faster every minute... IS THIS THE SAME TUNE?!"

    • @reinhardtwilhelm5415
      @reinhardtwilhelm5415 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hey, someone else heard Welcome to the Black Parade too. I thought that was the case, just needed to sanity-check it.

  • @Faygris
    @Faygris ปีที่แล้ว +18

    I'll always love this chord progression, no matter if it's considered overused
    Now I have a better understanding as to why 😊

    • @GizzyDillespee
      @GizzyDillespee ปีที่แล้ว

      Well, you just made me think of the "Titanic" song. Now I can't wait for what's around the next corner

  • @steelkeez7700
    @steelkeez7700 ปีที่แล้ว

    I was watching a video of Guitarist Skunk Baxter explaining this chord progression. But you broke it down very well here also Thank You‼️

  • @Dinga631
    @Dinga631 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow, Dave, awesome tutorial featuring one of my go to favourites by Ralph McTell, I had no idea. As a current guitar learner I find many of your tutorials so good at relating chord progressions etc that all flow over to guitar. I also have a keyboard so with now be applying some of my learnings to that for good measure. Keep up the good work mate.
    🇦🇺

  • @Uetti
    @Uetti ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I think also Together Again by Janet Jackson uses the Canon progression, it surprised me you didn't mention it in your examples. It was a big hit in the 90s

  • @KerwoodBand
    @KerwoodBand ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I've never seen anyone mention this, so maybe I'm wrong, but I've always considered the "Axis sequence" (I V vi IV) to be an abridged version of Pachelbel.
    Also one more lovely thing about the Pachelbel sequence is the line cliche you can follow starting on the tonic and descending to the 7th (the 3rd of the V chord), the 6th, the 5th (3rd of the iii chord), 4th, 3rd (of the I chord) then turns and starts up again. I've definitely used that line cliche as a bass line (the same cliche happens a third above as well).

    • @chloemchll3774
      @chloemchll3774 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It’s funny because there’s an American comedian who did a rant about how much he hates Pachelbel that becomes him giving examples of piece following him everywhere.
      I bring it up because he cites multiple examples in his version (claiming they are Pachelbel) that Axis of Awesome had in their song “4 chords” (which, as best I know, is the origin of why that progression is called the Axis progression now), including a Beatles example (Let It Be, specifically both claim the verse) that was noticeably absent from today’s video, which suggests to me pretty conclusively that it better fits the Axis than Pachelbel because no way David missed it if it was Pachelbel.

  • @primalyvellaggron
    @primalyvellaggron ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice and interesting video. Great job! The explanation had clear and the exemples complete the whole. In addition we discover many songs

  • @Chadner
    @Chadner ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow! I totally forgot about the Blues Travelers! Havent heard them in such a long time! Thanks David, for the video and for the memories

  • @francescganau7679
    @francescganau7679 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    So, the Russian anthem has the exact same chord progression than a song about going West by none other than the Village People. Let that sink in

    • @Bacopa68
      @Bacopa68 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      All the Village People songs were written by the lead singer in the cop uniform and the producer. They played almost all the tracks themselves too. BTW I think they intentionally copied the anthem.

    • @lezogzog
      @lezogzog ปีที่แล้ว +6

      It was the pet shop boys and it was very intentional I believe

    • @violinscratcher
      @violinscratcher ปีที่แล้ว

      @@lezogzog That‘s just how it is!

    • @francescganau7679
      @francescganau7679 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@WinstonSmithGPT Wasn't the original one made by the Village People...?

    • @Frankie5Angels150
      @Frankie5Angels150 ปีที่แล้ว

      And now the construction worker from the Village People is Secretary of Transportation!

  • @johncollier9280
    @johncollier9280 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I've loved the Taco Bell Canon since I first heard it many years ago but had no idea how influential it's been on other artists throughout the decades. Tanks fer this most interestin' 'n enlightenin' expose.

    • @randallvanduyn4372
      @randallvanduyn4372 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Funny that you called it Taco Bell Canon. While playing in the Baroque Ensemble at University (a few years before the Canon became popular, and before even I had heard of it), the conductor announced that we would be playing, what I thought he said was "Taco Bell Canon". I thought, maybe it was a Baroque piece used in a Taco Bell commercial. Once he handed out the sheet music, I could clearly read the composer's name as "PACHELbel". In spite of my extensive prior listening to Baroque music, I had never heard it and loved it instantly, so much that I had it played at our wedding in the gardens of the same University.

  • @allgood6760
    @allgood6760 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you.. Canon in D is beautiful and timeless! 👍🎹

  • @realDave1337
    @realDave1337 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    great video, you explained it so good!

  • @prandtl1956
    @prandtl1956 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    You’re my favourite TH-camr 😊❤️

  • @anna_young
    @anna_young ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Welcome to the black parade is also pretty much this chord progression :D

  • @LOrealHardly
    @LOrealHardly ปีที่แล้ว

    My whole life I've taken things apart to see how they work and I've mostly managed to put them back together. To see the songs I've heard across so many decades and from so many artists, I'm truly shocked that I never noticed the same building blocks, WOW!!

  • @bettyswunghole3310
    @bettyswunghole3310 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fascinating vid, as always.

  • @demancheedouard2144
    @demancheedouard2144 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Forever Young and "tout pour ma chérie" by french singer Michel Polnareff use the same progression. I would love a "i will survive" chord progression video (Robbie Williams used it, the theme song from "dernier domicile connu", even Barbie Girl or Wild World)

  • @adambrown8312
    @adambrown8312 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Very enjoyable, even as a cellist who keeps an annual "Pachelbel count" of how many times I have to play those 8 notes in any given wedding season (anything under 30 is an extraordinary year). 😄
    One random observation I made is that when you mentioned how the progression stays diatonic throughout Pachelbel's Canon, that is only somewhat true. The melody that is played canonically eventually includes C naturals that set up a V7/IV in the chord #4 position. If the quartets in which I play ever make it that far, I try to really lean high on the F# to create a little extra tension because it's so different from the first couple dozen iterations of the progression.

    • @tw11tube
      @tw11tube ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Playing the F# high somehow reminds me of Pachelbel's Canon in three tuning systems in th-cam.com/video/d2I1zNw2w-c/w-d-xo.html , where in the first variant they used just intonation centered on D, with "septimal C", which is significantly lower than equal temperament C. Either way, the F#-C interval gets smaller. Possibly with your "high F#" you also approch the same interval.

    • @daniellarson3068
      @daniellarson3068 ปีที่แล้ว

      Non musician who plinks on guitar. Prior to this video, I never realized people could learn to hate this chord progression. When I learned to do this with cowboy chords on my guitar, I thought, "Wow!" Maybe, it's easier to be amazed when one is teaching one self. I first heard this played on a GE light bulb commercial many many years ago and for years it rang through my head until I learned what it was.

  • @michaelnewsomegreen5500
    @michaelnewsomegreen5500 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is a great vid, for the fact that the comments have started a conversation. I am 63 years of age, & have been playing music for 50 years, but you are teaching me, so thank you.

  • @TheCaptainShow
    @TheCaptainShow ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Excellent channel, I've spent hour on ours learning about chord progression on here, love it thank you for all you work, wish you all the best in the future , 🎼🎵🎶🎹🎸