Have you ever noticed the similarities between the songs “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon? Both songs have a distinctive opening riff that is instantly recognizable, but what’s even more surprising is that the two songs share the same chord progression. But why do they sound so similar?
The Chord Progression
The chord progression in both songs is a I-IV-V progression in the key of G. This means that both songs use the G, C, and D chords in their verses and choruses. The I-IV-V progression is one of the most common chord progressions in popular music, so it’s not surprising that two songs would share it.
The Riff
While the chord progression may be similar, what really sets these two songs apart is their riffs. The riff in “Sweet Home Alabama” is played on guitar and features a descending pattern using the G, D, and C chords. The riff in “Werewolves of London,” on the other hand, is played on piano and uses a descending pattern with three notes: A, G, and F.
The Influence
So why do these two songs sound so similar? It turns out that Warren Zevon was friends with members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and had toured with them in the past.
In fact, Zevon has said that he wrote “Werewolves of London” as a kind of homage to “Sweet Home Alabama.” He wanted to write a song with a similar riff and chord progression as a tribute to his friends.
The Verdict
In conclusion, while it’s true that “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Werewolves of London” share some similarities in their chord progressions and riffs, they are still distinct songs with their own unique qualities. The fact that Warren Zevon wrote “Werewolves of London” as a tribute to his friends in Lynyrd Skynyrd only adds to the connection between the two songs. So the next time you hear these two classic rock hits, you’ll know why they sound so similar.