Rock Songs with only F-sharp & G-sharp

November 9, 2014 1:16 PM

My son has asked me if I know of any songs like Back To The Shack that only have F-sharp and G-sharp chords. I do not; do you?
posted by The Architect to Media & Arts (14 answers total)

Are you looking for specifically those three chords? You'll find lots of songs that have only D and E chords, or F and G chords.
posted by rossination at 1:22 PM on November 9, 2014

Response by poster: Yes, he is looking for examples of songs that only have those two chords (F-sharp and G-sharp) for the whole song.
posted by The Architect at 1:36 PM on November 9, 2014

First, if the video is accurate they are playing G and A chords. The song is in A on my guitar by the couch too.

Second, although the guitars are silent on these notes, the verses also contain an implied V chord (E) in addition to the vii - I riff.

Finally the bridge has a I-IV-I-IV-V (with D as the IV) progression on "die in obscurity."


So your analysis is incorrect to begin with. This is three chord rock, in A.
posted by spitbull at 1:47 PM on November 9, 2014

Or technically A mixolydian, as rock tends to like.

There are many two chord songs but this isn't one of them.
posted by spitbull at 1:56 PM on November 9, 2014

And technically also it has 4 chords counting the vii.
posted by spitbull at 1:58 PM on November 9, 2014

Response by poster: All, I apologize if the question is not well stated. I am not a musician and my son is 13 years old. He is simply looking for songs that only have F-sharp and G-sharp chords. Analysis of the Weezer song was not the point of my question and may not be a good example.

Sorry for any confusion.
posted by The Architect at 2:02 PM on November 9, 2014

Does the original need to be played with those two chords or can you transpose it? You could play "horse with no name" as F#m and G#9.
posted by unreasonable at 2:21 PM on November 9, 2014

Best answer: He could play "Hey, Bo Diddley." There are a few dozen classic rock songs with only two chords, but in most of them it will be I / IV or I/V. "Horse with no name" is one of the few to go "flat vii/I" over and over, as unreasonable says above.

But from a guitarist, the obvious question is why those two chords? Those are hard chords unless he's barring them and if so he can play any other major chord with the same hand position. Adding a third is just a matter of sliding down the neck (or moving the chord form one string over). If he can play open versions of G# and F# he knows more than two chords.

If it's not a matter of limitation but sheer musicological curiosity, there are very few rock songs played natively in G#/Ab to begin with, that not being an easy key to manage with open chords. Speed differences along the chain of recording and playback may put them there aurally, but in the vast majority of cases (as here) the guitarists are actually playing in G or A, which both lie easily and resonantly under the fingers.
posted by spitbull at 3:44 PM on November 9, 2014 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: "If it's not a matter of limitation but sheer musicological curiosity ..." - this

He actually plays quite well for his age, but he was not looking for a song to learn. Evidently this question arose from a discussion with other members of his band. I will share your knowledge with him. Unfortunately, this is one area where he truly knows much more than me and I am not able to give him any personal guidance. Thanks for your help!
posted by The Architect at 5:34 PM on November 9, 2014

Gonna be retentive and correct myself. "Horse with No Name" uses a ii-I progression. So actually it isn't really the same thing. "Bo Diddley" (and every derivative) it is!
posted by spitbull at 7:21 PM on November 9, 2014

It could occur in a song that was just an extended vamp of those 2 major chords.
Also it would be more playable on guitar with a capo on 2nd fret
posted by canoehead at 7:34 PM on November 9, 2014

Just to be clear again, Weezer's guitarists and bassist are actually playing G and A chords, regardless of the actual pitch on the record. Clear as day in the video.

A rock song in G# is gonna end the garage jam for the evening.

Terrible song. But OP your kid's band sounds good.

Get him a Fender for Christmas though. He will never look back at either of those Gibsons (not sure which was your kid).

; )
posted by spitbull at 3:45 AM on November 10, 2014

Just to be clear again, Weezer's guitarists and bassist are actually playing G and A chords, regardless of the actual pitch on the record. Clear as day in the video.


Weezer apparently recorded most of their first two albums tuned down a half step; the new record is apparently a throwback to that period, so may go back to the old tuning.
posted by DiscountDeity at 7:54 AM on November 10, 2014 [1 favorite]

Ah, that explains it, thanks DiscountDeity.

Although it means the Taylor I keep by the couch is out of tune.
posted by spitbull at 11:01 AM on November 10, 2014