Axis of Awesome - 4 Four Chord Song, 40 Songs, Same Chords

[FoetusInYourNoodles]

Finally, exposing the mainstream music industry for what it is. (Nothing).

[Splaze001]

He kinda looks like a *excuse me* fat version of HuskyStarcraft :D No offense :)

[grinapo]

oh all the jerks who upload 240p videos as HD

[Gonko100]

so they basically proved what everybody knew. Pop Music is simple minded, un-inspired bullshit for the masses.

[AdrianWillis]

The art of making a pop hit is a making a melody people forget they've heard before. It's "easy" to write a pop hit is an overstatement. The line "Even I could've made that one" goes with one answer: But you didn't.

[ursie1986]

@AdrianWillis Same applies to all art, really. Most explicitly Tracey Emin's bed.

[knowbert]

where's the one on 4-5-6-1. yikes. stay away from both unless bringing something really fresh.

[vyctooorr]

can someone tell me which are the names of the songs?

[alinduplea]

3:45 - 4:00 best 15 seconds of my life!:)))

[BlueStarRO]

And that's why I listen to Two Steps From Hell because whitout words you can't be tricked.

[McHara1992]

And that's why I listen to Dubstep :D

[Bowko123]

@McHara1992

A musicstyle that uses the same drum rythm in every song, yeah now you've showed us!

[spider853]

Now I know how a real pop piano should look like... 4 keys with 4 chords :-D

[TheStalker090]

well I'll be daamned!

[theblazinasian44]

all you need is the four chords...... and the pick of destiny

[mayesjam]

Yes... it is sad, but people have been stealing things from other artists for centuries...

All artists use the same notes, chords etc. all of the time...

They just put different words to them...

Its just really shocking on how many songs have that.....

Thats a really really long list...

[UTubeSrfr]

@mayesjam

Unless you're a Bjork fan, I'd say we're probably better off this way. Music theory is a science, far more than an art. There is logic behind the nature in which music is arranged, And only so many combinations of chord progressions. You can spice it up by mixing and matching riffs, but there's still only so much one can do.

Also, most of these songs were taken out of their original key for fit together; hence why one probably would not have noticed normally.

[mayesjam]

@UTubeSrfr Very well said!!

and i have no idea who bjork is lol

[obnebur]

check "Pachelbel Rant" in you tube

[cameron2cool]

MOTHERFUCKIN' BIRD PLANE!

[Jacno77]

make sense, simplicity usually sounds the best no need for alot of chords, its not like you get paid per note

[TheVeryAngryGoose]

Fantastic!

[aswhiston]

I used to write four chord songs, but then I took an arrow to the knee.

[thecustomfagot]

@aswhiston

seriously, f u



[sasaaaaaaaaaaa]

E,H,C*mi,A

[Mainfield]

@sasaaaaaaaaaaa yeah, or if you go 3 semitones up, you'll have G - D - e minor - C .. i could easily tell you many more songs with only this chord pogression, one being "ai se eu te pego"... and if you add only one or two more chords, you even can play some classic rock songs like freebird..

[SampsonMiss]

@Mainfield How do you play "si se eu te pego" with G - D - Em & C?? Are they in that order? Sounds a bit funny - is it four counts per chord?

[calebthellama]

he looks like a british jack black

[marcoddy]

@calebthellama Shame he's Auzzie ;)

[tristaNINchains]

@calebthellama epic fail on identifying nationalities there... even more of a fail for the 5 people who thumbed up that comment :P

[rubberbandy2]

@calebthellama Australian.

[silenceblows]

@calebthellama Aussie!

[TheAJBrennan]

@calebthellama except he's Australian...

[ursie1986]

@calebthellama australian?

[GrungeManStrikes]

@calebthellama You mean Australian?

[domthedomlittlefair]

@calebthellama He's Australian

[GamersForeverAUS]

MAD GUYS



[bottlehead2k9]

9 people are not able to play 4 chords on thei'r instrument

[jaiyaidee]

 Is that Meatloafs little brother?

[jaiyaidee]

This is wrong. There's no way James Blunt knows four chords.

[happySYSY007]

awesome!!!they are so talented!!!and hilarious!!!hahahaha

[AlphaKENNYBody1120]

what has the music community come to

[icarus212001]

@AlphaKENNYBody1120 "The past 40 years" Same ol' same ol'?

[kidsaresofakinghey]

its kids by MGMT... you guys obviously know what youre talking about.

[russjcameo]

so true, and ive never seen it said better

[DragonHeartGER]

Thanks for the timelinks now in the descriptions!

[treacle106]

doing this at school in music it's bloody hard

[3rdEyeVu]

I'm surprised no one has commented about all the freemason / illuminati symbolism on the stage. They control every aspect of your life, and they know that you're attracted to this chord progression like moths to a light bulb.

[felixvc]

@3rdEyeVu HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHA HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA­HAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[infoformulier]

1:57 - 2:05 EPIC FACE AHAHHA !!

[zugwar88]

haha ive seen this like 100 times and i still laugh my ass off!!!

[zugwar88]

Fucking briliant!



[Malleus06]

I acknowledge that the chords are the same, but all of those songs are good in their own ways.

[profittlich]

well executed but it's definitely not true---still funny

[ludz89]

the dude in the middle looks like a f-ing monkey :C

[chasing3suns]

I mean.. there are only 8 notes people..

[DJbobman]

And people don't believe me when I tell them every single pop song is the same song over and over again since the 1950s.

[chilijoke]

i come from a land down under :D :D :D

[canthinkverywell]

i've known this 4-chord info for a while and always found it to be quite sad how simple it is to write a hit. none of my friends believe me, so i'm gonna show them this video :)

[Felyrion]

@canthinkverywell Or, you could actually write a hit song, make a pile of money, and show them that.

[canthinkverywell]

@Felyrion that's a good idea but sadly the fame and fortune isn't given based on the song...its more based on a corrupt system often depending on who you know. i admit there are some pop artists like lady gaga who worked really hard to be where they are now, but usually that isn't the case, if i wrote a song that sounded poppy, simple, and pretty, i wouldn't receive fame and fortune for it, i just don't know the right people, and i'm not a slutty good looking person.

[aae595]

Thats just amazing

[OmeedAsadi]

anyone know what the four chords are?

[ArfJason]

@OmeedAsadi the video description says E B C# A, but I think it should be E B C#m A. I could be wrong though

[nickcandoit]

@ArfJason doesn't actually matter that much what pitch the chords are it just has to be a I-V-vi-IV progression it can be in any key it will sound the same just at a different pitch but the relative intervals are all the same

[ArfJason]

@nickcandoit Guess you're right, as long as the intervals are the same it won't matter. Thanks for clearing it up!

[xheIchildx]

I'm so happy we're singing this for school singing:L.

[thatfilipinodude]

And I'm Benny!

[21dobbo]

@MIERDARECORDS fuck you

[zzForTheWINzz]

So like one song like all fourty? Cool I'm goanna make a playlist with all fourty

[EchoAgentt]

all of you people saying that this is fake or a waste of time need to stop trolling. They are just practically giving an example of society pop can be cheap

[darksnowleopard1996]

This shows nothing is exactly origional. :3

[sunnaum]

They're all based on Johann Plachelbel Canon in D wich contains the basic chord progression for songs wich inspire happiness, joy and love.

[JessRawrrrr]

There awesome :D

[MrFaganm]

a waste of 5:31 minutes of my life, at the start benny says the reason theyve never had a hit, because they never made a 4 chord song, however near the end they play " thats all it takes to be a star" and birdplane, both written by axis of awesome, soo they lied.

i feel clever..

for once in my fucking life,

[gmaylath]

FUCK OF ...chicken little

[slajmkorn]

Chicken little is awesome! :D

[goatman003]

3:17 Nailed it.

[alexisch1]

OMFG!!!!!!



[FreaxUnleashed]

Come on barbie lets go party. XD

[applemaster45]

when the guy in the middle started to sing it was one of my favorite songs ever

[need1992]

Found the same cords even in a japanese song. so copy cats are all over the world

[DEFINEMETALisBACK]

Just shows how overrated some bands are

[Angryification]

So....chords I, V, VI, IV

[lovingtwilight303]

whats the song the middle guy starts playing around 4:15 on the whistle thing?

[xh0m3br3w]

@lovingtwilight303

kids by MGMT

[RayThaw]

They're using E, B, Dbm, A

[Angryification]

@RayThaw C#m, not Dbm. The chords are from E maj, and the E major scale is written as E F# G# A B C# D#. All the letters are used to avoid looking messy. sorry, it's just one of those things that irritate me XD

[RayThaw]

@Angryification PotAtoe, potatoe....try not to upset yourself so....C#m = Dbm in my book...could also go... I, V, vi, IV...or 1, 5, 6m, 4. Technically not sure when to use C# vs Db...something to do with how the song is penned on the sheet music usng #'s or b's no doubt... doesn't matter in this instance of chord progressions... cheers... R

[Angryification]

@RayThaw Musicians use C# as opposed to Db in the E major scale because it's easier to write out the key signature on manuscript and it's easier to write the scale out too. For example, does it look neater to write it as " E F# G# A B Db D#" or E F# G# A B C# D#""?

[RayThaw]

@Angryification I like E, Gb, Ab, A, B, Db, Eb, E...just as much...though I admit F# used more commonly, but Ab ,Db, Eb, Bb are just as common...I agree with you point in writing out manuscript on staff paper...Four sharps for E major, intersesting that Eb major and D# major both use three flats...

[Angryification]

@RayThaw Yes but if you write it like that it looks even more messier XD because you have Ab and A along with Eb and E. Also the way one writes out Eb major and D# major is more different than you might think. Eb major is Eb F G Ab Bb C D. Also, Eb major is written using flats because the key of Eb is a flat key

[RayThaw]

@Angryification I like E, Gb, Ab, A, B, Db, Eb, E...just as much...though I admit F# used more commonly, but Ab ,Db, Eb, Bb are just as common...I agree with you point in writing out manuscript on staff paper...Four sharps for E major, intersesting that Eb major and D# major both use three flats...

Also F# major and Gb major use six flats or six sharps...whatever....

[Angryification]

@RayThaw Ok you can write it out how you want, but it will look messy and you will probably change your way of writing it when you start using key signatures. When you write the key signature for E major on the stave, you cannot write E and Eb and you can't write A and Ab because they are on the same lines. It just makes more sense with the way I explained. :P

[ace4211]

i counted 36?

[BigSteve154]

6 people wrote a 4 chord song!

[Eldara5]

If they have never written a 4 chord song like mentioned at the start why do they include one of their own songs in the mix using said 4 chords, hmmm

[JShann04]

@Eldara5 I think it's because birdplane is only a parody (not an "original") and the "that's all it takes to be a star" was just added to the end. At least I have not found any song named that.

[MegaSOPHIEEEEE]

FIF

[MegaSOPHIEEEEE]

im more than bird,

im more than a plane,

IM A BIRDPLANE!

[kjc100100]

Kids by MGMT



[kjc100100]

Kids by MGMT

[kjc100100]

kids by MGMT

[MaxyBaby7]

Does anyone know what the name of the song is where he starts playing the kazoo, please help, thanks :) x

[PolishedRice]

That's why I like Muse.

[bootch82]

most people with musical knowledge knows this is true, but watching this makes me want to write a 4 chord song ahaha

[senorseis66]

in any key, just play rpot IV VI (minor) V

[darkjoeye]

what song is that that he played on that fleute thing? :D

[AbaratFox]

@darkjoeye That's called a kazoo you idiot.

[iRememberThatGuy]

IM A MUTHA FUCKIN SNAKE BOAT!!!!!!!!

[wizardsofclay]

CONTROL yourself, not enjoy yourself.

But still nice.

[FifaRonaldo7]

@wizardsofclay In the original song by MGMT it is Control yourself, in this video though, they are singing Enjoy yourself, wich you actually can interpret in some misleading ways...

[novoseclo]

me and the magic anacoonda think think this is wonderfull and he can only hear in infared

[MakaylaNienaber]

LOVE IT

[xriesex]

5:31 <== free replay button :D

[Bobthepalley]

I believe Apologize by One Republic has those chords in it, as well.

[marcioshima]

they forgot CLOSING TIME - Semisonic

[TheNinjaDeer]

lol chicken little doesnt lk over 40

[adamek987ZRTZU]

Yes, piano it´s 4 chords, but guiter is next 4 chords... it´s 8 chords, and no 4...

[MATTY0MOO]

My Music Teacher showed me these guys, it's actually amazing!

[wuster5000]

This is really cool :D

[mattyg303]

This has been done before, just online not in front of a crowd.

[FoxxFiire]

IM A BIRD PLAAAAAAAAAAAAANE A MOTHERFUCKIN BIRD PLAAAAAANE <3

[thesnorklemonkey]

@FoxxFiire Woah. Read that just as they were singing. Creepy dude :S

[GoJayhawks104]

They are just taking all the songs, changing the key and simplifying them so they only use "4 chords". Some of those songs its true, but not all.

[bunnydiver1997]

he looks like jack black!!! :D

[whouston8]

probably the most used 1 4 5 6 chord progression is Am G C and F but there are many others too

[mowburger]

No duh, it's called intervals. There are only so many variables in western music. The I,V,VI,IV is bound to come up many more times than this even, just hum it to yourself, it's natural and resolves easily, suits the human voice too. No wonder it's pleasing to mere mortals. Now I'm off to write my own pop hit!

[Roksiukas]

Got chills anyone?

[oggerocker]

This makes me hate pop music even more!

[LovelyFreak0]

Yeah, fuck off...chicken..little

[josamatron]

OKAY the chords for this song are E, C FLAT, D FLAT, A

[whouston8]

@josamatro uh dude.... there no such thing as a "c flat chord" it goes b flat, b, c, c sharp, there is no cflat

[logibear123]

@whouston8 yes there is... the keys with flats go F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb

[josamatron]

@whouston8 i know i know i know i wasnt thinking

[xcorr77]

@whouston8 Uhmm, I'm going to be that guy that says B natural and C flat are enharmonic, as in they are the same note. So technically you can have a note that is read as a C flat, even though we all really know that on a keyboard it would be seen as B natural.

[TheBrettisawesome]

this is so fuckin awesome

[FassinTaak]

Woowo can you send me the chords for this please

[harmpje101]

2:58 ? :'D

[harmpje101]

amazing:P but whats wrong with the backgrond it looks like its moving but whats it? xD

[dubloads]

they should do a full cover of 30h!3 - don't trust me! I love the way he sings that and no cover on youtube sounds anything as good as he does it

[ohadohad12]

It's so beautiful mixed up lol

[Jationator]

Absolutely amazing, I love this (even though I am a fan of quite a few of those songs haha). And the amount of effort you've put into the description! Wow!

[Starglanse]

This is soo cool!

[freddeeeedeluxe]

3 people can only do 3 Chord songs ...

[TheChikkMan]

the gazoo was the best part!

[tree7stump]

This video has actualy made my day!! XD

[maxbiteme]

Lyrics?

[Areeb013]

@maxbiteme don't you read the description?? I mean seriously, it only takes a little bit of looking you know!! :/ just saying.. o_O

[maxbiteme]

@Areeb013 was hoping put the full lyrics to all the songsrather than explicits more of a joke

[Areeb013]

@maxbiteme ahh okay that makes sense then.. but that would be rather hard work (and you would be needing huge patience) wouldn't you?? xD well he did do a really good job for the songs and lyrics, so thumbs up for him =D

[simonbaum789]

44.000 hits ?

ridiculous !

Should have 4.400.000.000, at least :)

btw: i love Don't Stop Beliving - Journey

[ihatenjoi]

WOAH guitar chords please?

[FifaRonaldo7]

@ihatenjoi Read the description. But you can practically just change the chords to for example C, G, Am, F. Just as long as it follows the progression

[Richyhello]

@FifaRonaldo7 Or F, C, Dm, Bb.

[sloopyscruncher]

the fat guy has the smallest eyes in the world

[sloopyscruncher]

karl pilkington is a moronic cunt with a head like a fucking orange

[greatestmanevar]

the guy in the middle looks like jack black

[RezayWAR]

Lady Gaga, Jason Mraz and Mika thumbed this down