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The classic prog-rock song with over 30 distinct chords
Progressive rock's 1970s boom saw musicians pursuing increasingly complex harmonic arrangements, leading artists like Steely Dan and Queen to construct songs drawing from dozens of distinct chords. Genesis exemplified this trend through their 1972 album Foxtrot, which culminated in an extended composition structured across seven distinct movements with evocative titles.
The track 'Supper's Ready' spans nearly 23 minutes and integrates multiple musical genres—folk, hard rock, and classical influences—alongside rapid key modulations and intricate voice arrangements, resulting in the use of 30 separate chords throughout its structure. The composition remained a centrepiece of Genesis' live repertoire during their early years, continuing to feature in performances well into the following decade under vocalist Peter Gabriel's direction.
In short
- Genesis' track 'Supper's Ready' from 1972's Foxtrot album contains 30 distinct chords
- The nearly 23-minute composition spans seven movements blending folk, rock, and classical styles with complex harmonic progressions
- The piece became a live centrepiece throughout Genesis' early touring years with vocalist Peter Gabriel
Explained simply
Progressive rock became popular in the 1970s, when some bands built long songs with changing sections, varied styles and more elaborate harmonies. Steely Dan and Queen were among the groups known for using many different chords in their music.
Genesis, whose early singer was Peter Gabriel, released Foxtrot in 1972. Its closing piece, “Supper’s Ready”, runs for nearly 23 minutes and moves through seven sections, blending folk, hard rock and classical influences. Its shifts in style and harmony made it a defining work for the band and a regular feature of their early live shows.