Can great songs be written with only two chords?
By Don • Jun 7th, 2006 • Category: Inspiration, Songwriting Articles
Recently someone asked me if a decent song can be written with only two chords.
Of course, this depends on what you mean by a decent song. Going by the standards of most Western music, I feel a “decent” song would be one that has a solid verse chorus structure that doesn’t leave your typical listener feeling that something is missing.
‘How Come’ by Ray Lamontagne is one of the best examples of a great two-chord song. The verse and the chorus are both the exact same two chords.
‘Born in the USA’ by Bruce Springsteen is a two chord song that was a HUGE HIT.
(Note: Can you think of others? If so add them in the comments below - and I will compile a list at the end of the week.)
How do you, as a songwriter, successfully write a two chord song?
In many cases, it comes down to melody. A different melody for the verse and chorus will quite often ‘imply’ different chords. A combination of different melodies and different rhythmic feet will also help separate the two parts of the song even more.
For those of you that know some theory, it is like playing a I,IV,V arpeggios over a single chord. Even though it is only one chord, the arpeggios over the top of the single chord ‘implies’ additional chords - even though you are only playing along to one chord.
Another type of song that may only have one or two chords is hip-hop. For some songwriting purists hip-hop doesn’t really qualify as songwriting. But there is an important lesson we learn with hip-hop. We learn that it all comes down to basics. People (as listeners) want to have a beat they can feel, and a melody they can remember. It is that simple.
What are some additional benefits of writing a simple two-chord song?
It’s simple: Yes, nursery rhymes are easy to remember because they are simple. Most of the Beatles (i.e. Paperback Writer, Give Peace a Chance, Yellow Submarine, etc) most memorable songs are simple in structure. The “holy grail” for songwriters is writing something that is memorable. (But I’m sure you know that already!)
Melodic freedom: Only having two chords gives you more leeway in what notes you have available to make a memorable melody.
Emotion: Having a simple chord structure allows you to play with your vocal melody. Be careful though! You can start warbling too much and lose the melody that you were originally searching for.
Creativity: Many songwriters have said to me they get so obsessed with chord progressions and theory that they stifle their own creativity. Reducing your song to a simple two chord structure can often break down walls on your path to creativity. It can even be a cure for writer’s block.
So have at it. Sit down and find a two chord progression you like and let the lyrics flow.
Happy songwriting!
Update: Here is a complete list of two chord songs, with links to other sites that offer even more examples.
Don is the founder, writer and editor of BloggingMuses.com. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina, USA.
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Didn’t America’s “Horse With No Name” have only two chords? I was trying to think of other number one songs….
Ah yes. That’s a good one. Someone else pointed out that Exodus by Bob Marley only had one chord. -dm
Nice to meet you.
We’re 5 actors and songwriters from italy. We write in italian, of course, but this is a great blog for us. Great link!
GingerAle from The Loungerie
“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac I think fits the 2 chord category
Molly’s lips- Originally by Vaseline, covered by Nirvana.
How about “Roadrunner” by Jonathan Richmond?
“Something in the Way”, the last track off of Nirvana’s Nevermind is not only an excellent song using only two chords, but the being tuned to D makes the song playable with only one finger. Simplicity is art.
peace
Lucas
i cant belive born in the us is to chord thats great i can easily learn to play it!
Even Jazz songs can work with only two chords:
Cool Jazz legend Paul Desmond’s signature piece “Take Five” only uses the alternating chords Ebm and Bbm7 (i-v7).
The entire modal Jazz period introduced by Miles Davis uses as little chords as possible, because the point is to improvise modally around a constant chordal framework. Davis’s siganture piece “So what?” is a prime example of this. It is just 16 bars of Dm7, 8 bars of Ebm7, and 8 bars of Dm7 again.
“I’m Waiting for the Man” by the Velvet Underground is only two chords and it’s one of the best songs ever. In fact, there are a number of VU songs that don’t exceed two chords.
Both `Take Five` and `I`m Waiting For My Man`, have a mid-section with different harmonies.
The Beatles` song “tomorrow never knows” has only one chord…
hi great songwriting column been trying to write songs for years sometimes songwriters can get into a chordphobia mode the chords dominating everthing instead of the song being supported by the chords so if you can write on 2 well great dont forget some of the most famous songs have a simple chord progressin eg George Gershwins Summertime 5 basic chords em am C B7 G
hi jambalaya by hank williams has only two chords G and D makind it a good beginners song on guitar or piano
I believe “Crawling King Snake” by John Lee Hooker (covered by the Doors) has only one chord.
I think you’ll find “I’m Waiting For The Man” contains more than two chords. In fact just about everyone of the Velvet’s songs you think contain just two chords contain more.
I agree it’s possible to busk some of their songs with two chords, but to play them correctly - no.
I don’t really agree with the fact that it’s stated that listeners would (all?)prefer simple songs they can remember easily. I personaly prefer more complex melodies and chord progressions.
The more music you hear, the more complexity I like. Music is like math…simple songs get too predictable within a very short while. Like a lot of these days R&B and Rap songs have melodies for 5 year olds. I would like it if the gap between classical structures and “simple” pop songs would be filled more. The band ‘Muse’ is a good example of songwriting that has more complex melodies/chords. Do you people feel the same way? Or Am I the only one that really prefers complexity?
Bo diddly by Bo Diddly has one chord and is an absolute classic. Q.E.D.
Sober by Tool can be played with only two chords on acoustic guitar, and thats an amazing song. Eleanor Rigby is two chords, Dreams by Fleetwood Mac is two chords like someone mentioned. Complex chord progressions are great, and if musicians can pull it off successfully i admire them, but complex songs are rarely timeless and memorable, so why exhaust urself trying to be a virtuoso, when u can write something simple and touching that will be remembered for ages.
96 Tears by ? and the Mysterians!
As for VU, they say “Heroin” only has two chords, too. And don’t forget the one-note piano part in “I Wanna Be Your Dog” (The Stooges).
I hear Chopin once composed a piece using only alternating tonic and dominant chords. Personally, I don’t go for harmonic simplicity and tend to prefer the works of composers like Wagner who are known for their insanely rich harmony.