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6.10.14 Chords to "Moondance," Key of A Minor: How the Chord Progression Works
The chords to "Moondance" in the original key of A minor, showcase the emotional power of the minor tonality, second progressions, and fifths down. The A minor chord progression is distinctive and evocative. The chord map reveals that the chord VIIm7 (Bm7) replaces the default chord VIIº (Bº) in the verse. (Technically, it's Bm7/E.)
The progression shuttles between this variant chord (Bm7) and the tonic (Am7), itself a variant in the form of a minor seventh. This is a very strong second progression (Am7 - Bm7/E), and it keeps repeating. These two somewhat dissonant minor seventh chords set the song's mood (Figure 87).
FIGURE 87: Chase Chart of “Moondance” (Words and Music by Van Morrison, 1970)
Then what happens? In the bridge/chorus, the harmony switches over to the other side of the tonic, chainging from second progressions to fifths down, and leaving the Bm7/E chord out of the picture.
The bridge/chorus provides excellent harmonic contrast to the verse while remaining solidly in the minor mode. There are no third progressions.