I-bVII-IV (Mixolydian Rock)
Why does Sweet Child O'Mine sound so rebellious? There's a 'borrowed' chord behind it
I-bVII-IV uses the bVII borrowed from the minor mode — a chord that 'shouldn't be there' but gives an attitude classic pop doesn't have. Arena Rock, Brit Pop, Lorde, Guns N'Roses.
IbVIIIVI
Famous songs
Sweet Child O'Mine (GN'R) · Royals (Lorde) · Sympathy for the Devil (Rolling Stones) · Hey Jude (Beatles)
Did you know?
The Beatles were the first to popularize bVII in pop with "Hey Jude" (the famous Na-na-na). Oasis inherited it in "Wonderwall" and it became a Britpop trademark.