The "While my guitar gently weeps" chords in other songs.

I found quite a few that you might know.

Jun 26, 2023

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I recently posted a guitar lesson article called "Using the most common chord progressions in music...to figure out hundreds of songs" - that shows you how you can use many of the same common chord patterns and progressions in songs to figure out hundreds of other songs. Then it occurred to me that there is one particular chord progression that is very distinct and easily recognized in lots of well-known songs. I'm sure there are a lot more, but this is the list I came up with off the top of my head.

Okay so, the chords are variations on "Am, G, F# or D/F#, F and E", in that order. Some songs only use some of these chords, but the progression is still about the same. Some other songs only use "power chords" (not the full triads), but again, in relatively the same order.

1) "25 or 6 to 4" (1970) - Chicago.

This song is extremely recognizable to old rockers like me. It is one of the many "first songs" beginner guitar players learned back then, mostly because the main riff was pretty easy to play. It's also a great song to learn how to play "power chords".

The main progression: "A A A A A, G G G G G, F# F# F# F# F#, F F F F, E E E E" (repeated)

2) "While my guitar gently weeps" (1968) - The Beatles.

This incredibly popular George Harrison contribution is probably the most well-known song to have this progression. "Babe, I'm gonna leave you" is a close second. However this song does not go directly to an "E" chord. It only goes to "F" then goes back to the Am - then ends on an "E7".

The main progression: "Am, Am/G, D/F#, F, Am, G, D, E7"

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3) "Babe, I'm gonna leave you" (1969) - Led Zeppelin.

This song is a little more intricate as it requires more arpeggiated or "picked" chords, rather than strumming. The bridge part sounds a lot like "25 or 6 to 4" as it is played almost exactly the same.

The main progression: "Am, Am/G, D/F#, F, E7" (repeated)

4) "Love Child" (1968) - Diana Ross and the Supremes

You’ll have to wait until the chorus to hear this common progression, but it is definitely there. Such a great song.

The main progression: "Am, G, F, E7" (repeated)

5) "Walk don't run" (1960 - The Ventures.

Even though the Ventures popularized this song in 1960, it was written well before that in 1956 by Chet Atkins. This song reminds me (and just about everybody who hears it), of the California Surfing sounds of the early 1960's. However, instead of starting off with an "Am" chord, this song uses the "A (major)" chord.

The main progression: "A, G, F, E" (repeated)

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6) "Hit the road Jack" (1961) - Ray Charles.

By now, you've understood this common chord progression to exist in so many popular songs. This song is no exception. Written by Percy Mayfield and recorded by Ray Charles, it became one of Charles's most popular songs.

The main progression: "Am, G, F, E7" (repeated)

7) "Brain Stew" (1995) - Green Day

This unmistakably recognizable progression pops up once again in this classic 90's grunge rock song. It is literally the same progression as "25 or 6 to 4", but with less chord playing. - Well, you know the song.

The main progression: "A A..., G G..., F# F#..., F F, E E" (repeated)

Like I said, I'm sure there are more songs that use this chord progression, if you know some, be sure to leave a comment.