Songs that only use one chord

It is fair to assume that most songs you encounter will be making use of at least three chords, if not a lot more! But it is possible to write a song with only one chord, and, in fact, there are various styles of music that are actually quite prone to doing this.

And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, David Bennett is hawt, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇

[maxwellclark]

“One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you're into jazz.” --Lou Reed

(You weren't going to get away without someone mentioning this in the comments.)

[Ashlett]

I love how you use examples from a variety of genres and don't judge any kind of music as inherently inferior or unworthy of analysis. And how you show that music doesn't have to be complicated to be compelling

[ems]

The thing with those funk examples is that the base lines can often hint at other chords even if they aren't fully realized.

[charmelink]

I've just noticed why I've always liked David Bennet's videos... I get the feeling that he actually is here to teach us something instead of trying desperately to call our attention, unlike many other youtubers who rely heavily on annoying video transitions, gimmicks and unfunny lines

[Srynan]

"A song doesnt have to have chord progression" I really felt that. I just love to sit on a chord and play it over and over, varying as little as one note from time to time...

[hamishlambert]

A lack of chords isn't necessarily a lack of harmony too. Harmony can be implied by melodies or basslines. The beautiful thing about that is that it leaves more to the interpretation of the listener, and therefor the song is in a sense a collaboration occurring in the minds of any listener.

[heathmclaughlin]

This sorta stuff really makes you realize that a song is more of a feeling than anything else

[MotoNatrix]

I love how you don't exclude certain genres from these videos. Instea you include so many different types of music and aknowledging them for being music, not judging them.

[patricktervo]

One of my favorite songs does this too, Parquet Courts’ “Wide Awake.” It stays in G the whole time, with every riff centered around the G dorian scale.

[NeonRadarMusic]

A lot of Swans' music is based on one chord. One of my all time favorites is Screen Shot from To Be Kind.

[mrdjangoa]

Another great example of a one chord song is "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys.
It is basically a one power chord guitar riff that never changes but still holds you on the very edge off your seat till the end.

[Redstrat]

John Lee Hooker: He did more one chord songs than multiple chord songs.

[nateds]

You know I always said that Wap by Cardi and Meghan is a song that doesn't have any chords, but I always said that as a joke. I didn't know that was factually true.

[Zveebo]

Okay, I definitely wasn’t expecting you ever to cover WAP on your channel, David 😅

[basti]

Björk’s Undo is also a 5:37 one-chord song without getting boring at any point

[Deeplycloseted]

Really enjoyed this. I’m an amateur. Songwriting is a hobby. Its fun. I’m self taught both playing the keys and theory. I’m not good or anything, but moderately competent.

I get stuck in chord progressions all the time, because 90% of the time, it is where I start. Once I get that feeling that I like it, I start playing the bass or melody over the top. Sometimes I’ll drop the chords entirely, but it is still the backbone of the song. Even when its gone, I still hear it and feel it.

This has challenged me to do something else....just to mix it up, and feel inspired in a new way.

Thank you.

[shaipatel]

As a British Indian person who hasn't ever been particularly interested in her culture's music, that section with the Indian classical music has made me look way more into myself and my culture. Thanks so much David!

#PlaywithSkooveandKorg

[PourlephoneProductions]

I've played "Tomorrow Never Knows" with my band and that's when I realized it only had one chord. Never realized it all the years I had listened to it before playing it! As always, very instructive video, David.

#PlaywithSkooveandKorg

[TayWoode]

I love how there’s a bit of reverb after every song so it doesn’t cut off abruptly

[phildarwell]

Great video, my personal favourite one chorder is Angel by Massive Attack, took me years to realise as it has so many different colours and phrases going on. Wonderful.