Progression / Mode Question

[Music Junkie]

Hey All:

I am working on an old REO Speedwagon tune (no laughing... :silly: ). It is called "Roll With the Changes"



I think I am hearing C as the I chord, or at least what the song is resolving to. However, the chords seem to be C - F - Bb - F - C, which would seem to be V - F - IV - I - V... Not positive about that... :unsure: If that is correct, would this be considered to be in the Key of F, but revolving around the 5th (mixolydian???)

If this does not make sense, I am blaming it on a long week combined with a wonderful bourbon and coke...

Jason

[TGNesh]

Absolutely the key of C!

[unclewalt]

Seems that way to me, too, but I'm far from an expert on this stuff. I think the Bb is just a chord from outside the key. These rules aren't hard and fast. Excellent question, though -- there's a Dm and a G5 in the chorus, so all the chords also fit into F major. For all I know, you could technically describe it the way you have.

[Music Junkie]

Ness and Walt:

Thanks for the input...

I knew C was "home", but the Bb threw me off... I have seen many songs that seem to have the 7th, which would normally be a diminished chord, as a major chord. I have always wondered about that. In this case, the Bb would be a borrowed chord, if we are in the key of C. If it was F but revolving around the C, that would explain it. If it is C , then Bb would be the 4th of IV, which is another thing I have seen used in a lot of songs, along with the 5th of V. I really wish I understood all of that more... :huh:


Thanks again!

Jason

[unclewalt]

Music Junkie wrote:

Ness and Walt:

Thanks for the input...

I knew C was "home", but the Bb threw me off... I have seen many songs that seem to have the 7th, which would normally be a diminished chord, as a major chord. I have always wondered about that. In this case, the Bb would be a borrowed chord, if we are in the key of C. If it was F but revolving around the C, that would explain it. If it is C , then Bb would be the 4th of IV, which is another thing I have seen used in a lot of songs, along with the 5th of V. I really wish I understood all of that more... :huh:


Thanks again!

Jason

It seems to me that you do understand it, you were just thrown by the borrowed chord. (Except, In C, the 7th would be B (or Bdim), not Bb.) Maybe somebody smarter than me can weigh in and answer whether the way you interpreted it -- in F, but resolving to the V -- could be considered technically correct. And if not, why not.

[Music Junkie]

unclewalt wrote:

Music Junkie wrote:

Ness and Walt:

Thanks for the input...

I knew C was "home", but the Bb threw me off... I have seen many songs that seem to have the 7th, which would normally be a diminished chord, as a major chord. I have always wondered about that. In this case, the Bb would be a borrowed chord, if we are in the key of C. If it was F but revolving around the C, that would explain it. If it is C , then Bb would be the 4th of IV, which is another thing I have seen used in a lot of songs, along with the 5th of V. I really wish I understood all of that more... :huh:


Thanks again!

Jason

It seems to me that you do understand it, you were just thrown by the borrowed chord. (Except, In C, the 7th would be B (or Bdim), not Bb.) Maybe somebody smarter than me can weigh in and answer whether the way you interpreted it -- in F, but resolving to the V -- could be considered technically correct. And if not, why not.

Yep, another brain fart on my part. The Bdim would be in C.....sorry bout that...