Songs that use the Andalusian Cadence

The Andalusian Cadence is a very commonly used chord progression across a wide range of styles.

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0:00 Andalusian Cadence chord progression
0:25 Examples
1:55 Harmonic Rhythm
3:30 Major V vs. Minor v
5:41 Muse
8:10 HDpiano
8:49 Flamenco
10:17 Roman numerals
11:51 why is the V major?
13:26 Is it a cadence?
14:00 piano outro

[DavidBennettPiano]

2:38 📍CORRECTION: on “Hit The Road Jack” the proper chord isn’t a G chord; it’s really a Am7/G chord… so not quite a perfect Andalusian cadence. Same descending contour but not the exact same chord. The version I use in the video is a recreation that I made so what you hear in this video is a G triad. However if you listen to the original Ray Charles version the chord is an Am7/G.
Sorry for any confusion. 🙂

[adelemami]

A few hours ago I searched in youtube for "andalusian cadence david bennett" to know if david ever uploaded a video specially for this chord progression and now it's been uploaded. I wish I wanted something else from God.😀

[Thebigkeoghowski]

The first song that came to mind after you played the piano example was "Hit The Road Jack."
I'm glad you included it.

[bernhardkrickl]

In my mind, "Hit the Road, Jack" is the quintessential song using that chord progression. Probably, because the chord changes come so fast and they are so clearly defining the mood of the song. Many of the songs you mentioned I know well, but I never noticed they have those chords. It doesn't stick out so much.

[carbonmonoxide]

Hotel California’s verses are an expanded version of the Andalusian Cadence (expanded with secondary dominants and a iv before the final V), and (at least in baroque music) there is a version that moves chromatically between bass notes.

[toni]

Muse enjoyer from Andalusia here! Great video!

[happyron]

The Andalusian Cadence is one of the greatest Cadence's of them all

[JalenJaguar]

understanding the inner workings of chord progressions like this; is like learning character archetypes as an author to best write the story you want to tell

[Breakstuff]

Without looking it up, i want to say "while my guitar gently weeps" is this, and i was totally expecting a beatles reference somewhere lol. Its rare to not get a beatles reference in these videos.

Im obsessed with your videos David! Amazing work, you are the king!

[petertrudelljr]

I've always loved this chord progression without even knowing about it... I love all these songs!

[ric]

What l love about flamenco is the use of palmeros, three guys taking turns to clap in rapid succession to give the illusion of impossibly fast clapping.

[cansarpkaya]

One More Cup of Coffee is a classic example of this progression. Such a lovely tune.

[AliBros]

For Muse there’s also Resistance and Reapers. They love this cadence!

[leemaniscalco]

Many thanks for highlighting the Andalusian cadence. I have a book of old Spanish folk songs full of the progression. For me it has an strong emotional impact and ends in a very satisfying way - Phrygian? I can add three more songs: 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, One More Cup of Coffee and Stray Cat Strut.

[JMaxfield]

Greensleeves (What Child Is This?), Toccata & Fugue in D minor by J.S. Bach and "The Cat Came Back" by Harry S. Miller are all well-known users of Andalusian progression (I like to think that "Hit the Road Jack" was influenced by the cat song). As for pop songs, let me lay on you a bunch:

"I'll Be Back (Again)" by the Beatles, "Feelin' Good" by Nina Simone, "Eclipse" by Pink Floyd, "Another Star" by Stevie Wonder, "Roxanne" by the Police, "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson, "Sunny Came Home" by Shawn Colvin, "Moonage Daydream" (outro) by David Bowie, "Basketball Jones" by Cheech & Chong, "Maneater" by Hall & Oates, "Twilight Zone" by Golden Earring, "Bye Bye Bye" by NSYNC & "Dumbledore's Farewell" from Harry Potter & Half Blood Prince.

[jamesdeininger]

Thanks for making this! These videos are awesome for bands looking to add medley’s to their setlists.
I do a medley with “Let’s Get It Started”, “Sweet Dreams”, “7 Nation Army”, and “Backstreet’s Back” with a similar i-III-VI-V progression

[leonardodiversifolia]

Now I know why I love all these songs. Probably my favorite chord progression. Thanks David, great analysis

[Pedro_MVS_Lima]

Kudos for mentioning the flamenco interpretation of the progression. Well done!

[slowdanser]

Your clarity is your gift. Thank you for your gift. It’s really quite brilliant.

[sebastianvega]

wow, i was so ready to tell you that in flamenco the last chord is often the tonic chord of the tune. i am very impressed, that you knew that! most musicians i know know absolutly nothing about flamenco (which is a shame, as there is a lot to learn from).