All Posts Tagged Caribbean

The intro to Ed Sheeran's Shape of You (released January 6, 2017) is very similar to the intro to Sia's Cheap Thrills (released February 11, 2016). Both feature a marimba-sounding synth playing staccato quarter note triplets for each chord. In terms of chord structure, Shape of You (in the key of E) follows a vi-ii-IV-V (or minor 6, minor 2, 4, 5) progression, while Cheap Thrills (in the key of A) follows a vi-IV-I-V (or minor 6, 4, 1, 5) progression. Shape of You is also slightly reminiscent of TLC's No Scrubs (released January 23, 1999), which is in the key of B (really G# harmonic minor), and follows a ii-vi-V/vi-vi (or minor 2, minor 6, dominant chord of the 6, minor 6). In particular, the scansion of the verse vocal melody is similar. [h/t to A. Zucker for suggesting this one!]

Shape of You (:00) VS Cheap Thrills (:00)


Honorable mention:
Shape of You (:10) VS No Scrubs (TLC) (:18)