Exploring Musical Harmony: The Circle of Fifths in Popular Songs

The Circle of Fifths is a fundamental concept in music theory that plays a critical role in shaping the harmony and structure of many popular songs. This educational yet entertaining exploration of how the circle of fifths is utilized in various well-known tunes will provide insights into the underlying musical principles that enrich our listening experience.

What is the Circle of Fifths?

The Circle of Fifths is a visual representation of the relationships among the 12 tones of the chromatic scale. It is a clockwise sequence of musical keys that ascend by perfect fifths, starting from C major and moving through G, D, A, E, B, F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, and finally, E major, before completing the circle with C major. This sequence not only illustrates the relationship between different keys but also highlights the progression and resolution of chords, contributing to a coherent and harmonious musical structure.

Examples of Songs Utilizing the Circle of Fifths

Notable Examples

“Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel: This classical piece is famous for its chord progression that moves through the circle of fifths, creating a smooth transition and enhancing the overall harmony. “Let It Be” by The Beatles: The chord progression in this iconic song features movements that can be traced around the circle of fifths, contributing to its timeless quality. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd: The song uses a progression that follows the circle of fifths, creating a strong sense of resolution and cohesive structure. “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston: This ballad includes chord changes that relate to the circle of fifths, adding depth and emotional richness to the music. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King: The chord progression in this song also moves in a way that aligns with the circle of fifths, contributing to its memorable melody and harmonious structure.

Ascending and Descending Progressions

Most songs move through the circle of fifths in the conventional way, with a fifth being dropped from secondary dominant to dominant to tonic. This sequence of perfect cadences creates a sense of resolution and progression. For instance, in the song “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes, the chords progress as nVII, III, VI, II, V, and I, tracing a circle of fifths.

On the other hand, fewer songs utilize progressions that move in the opposite direction, using a series of plagal (IV-I) cadences. An example is George Harrison's “Here Comes the Sun”, which features a chord progression that moves in the circle of fourths, creating a smooth and harmonious flow. The bridge section of the song consists of the chords Eb, Bb, F, C, G, and IV/IV/IV, IV/IV, I, V, which drop a fourth each time, providing a unique harmonic journey.

Imposing the Circle of Fifths on Each Other

Occasionally, songs merge different circle of fifths progressions, creating complex and interesting harmonic structures. One such example is the 1965 novelty song “A mouse in a windmill” by The Bill Hayes and the Sweet E’re. While this song does not complete a full circle of fifths, it showcases how a catchy melody can be constantly modulating around the circle. This song is notable for its waltz time, which adds a surprising and unexpected element to the musical experience, making it a unique hit of its time.

Conclusion

The Circle of Fifths is not just a theoretical concept but a crucial tool in the composition and arrangement of music. It allows musicians to create smooth and coherent chord progressions that enhance the overall harmony and structure of a song. By exploring the usage of the circle of fifths in various popular songs, we gain a deeper appreciation for the underlying principles that contribute to the rich tapestry of music.