Music Theory Study: Dissecting a pop song.

Hey everyone! So today, I’m going to go over how a pop song is created. 

Specifically we’re going to talk about a pop song that’s not so sexual or lustful. But a calm and nice pop song that broke the charts when it came out. 

As you guys know that I’m a Christian musician with pop influences but this song was special to me because it really helped to shape the sound that I have right now. 

Which is why I do it. 

I might dissect other pop songs in the future but in most cases, we’re going to dissect Christian songs. 

But I just had to start with this song because i thought it was just genius. 

And that song is She Will be loved by Maroon 5

Let’s talk about it

She will be loved: Chords

The chords of the song are very simple. It’s in the Key of E-Flat major/ C-minor.

and it starts off like a minor key with the chord being C-minor. 

Some people put up that it’s a C-minor 7 but I actually like the way that C-minor sounds a lot better when I’m playing it on the guitar. 

And the chord progression goes back and fourth between the vi and the V chord of the major Key. 

So it goes between C-minor and B-flat major for a few times in the verses and bridge.

Which this theory is a very popular theory and a cousin of the I-V-I-V chord. 

Actually someone could even argue that it’s the same thing because the only difference between the I chord and the vi chord is one note. 

And also that the I chord is major and the vi chord is minor. 

But other than that, I think the reason why they decided to do the vi chord is because of that minor third that the chord has. 

They were trying to make the song sound sad and emotional so they included that vi chord.

and then in the pre-chorus and chorus where he sings, “I don’t mind spending every day. Out on your corner in the pouring rain…… She will be loved and she will be loved.”

He switches up the chord progression to a I-V-vi-IV Chord progression which I’m sure that you guys who love music theory know that, that’s the chord progression that you use when you want to write a hit. “Not literally but pretty close to literally.” 

and that’s basically the chords of the song. 

The Melody

For the opening line, it’s actually a very simple melody that was constructed following basic methods of hook creation. 

What he does for the first line is a stagnant melody followed by a descending melody. 

Which are two very powerful hooks put together. 

And then it continues to repeat itself a few times. 

And harmonically and melodically it makes sense to do it that way because the chords are the same overall. 

You are just repeating the vi and V chord over and over again so it makes sense harmonically to harmonize with the same notes. 

However, I notice something that I’ve been noticing in all of the songs that I study. 

They harmonize their chords with notes that are outside of that chord but within the key just as long as it follows the extended chord pattern. 

So say for example in this song. When he sings, “Beauty Queen of only eighteen she.” 

That “She” that he sings is a G note which does not fit will with a B- Flat major but with a B flat 13 then it does fit well with. 

And actually that theory works well with any of the simple extended chords that you could find, with 9’s 11’s and 13’s .

he does it again close by to that melody except with the 9 when he sings, “with her self.”

That self is another note and that self is actually a C which in the B-flat chord is a 9. 

And I know why they do this. 

What happens is that if you want to create emotional music, then you need to create dissonance. 

And dissonance is contrast. 

So the reason why they put that contrast in this song is because they are trying to stressfully emphasize the emotional part of the end of the phrase. 

Which is another melody creation trick that you want to do. 

Stress the ending. 

And I know that you guys are dying to hear this part. 

How does he do the part where he says, “And she will be loved.”

He makes a jump. Which if you’re trying to make a powerful melody, then you will jump. 

And that jump is what makes the song so impactful. 

The last note that he sings before he does the WILLLL be loved. Is an E-flat to B-flat which is a fifth apart which is literally the definition of a jump. 

And that melody that he does where he goes, “and she will be loved.” 

It’s an Appogiaturra. 

So yeah, that’s how you do that. 

Broadcast

I sure hope that I have been an inspiration and a hope to you all. Please remember to pray, read your bible, go to church, and love God above all else. Like, comment, share, subscribe, and I will see you all next time.

If you want to go to heaven, then believe in Jesus and you will go to heaven. (John 3:16)

Thank you all for listening in on this blog post. 

German Gonzalez, signing out!