Chords Explained: Why ‘Wrong’ Chords Sound So Good

Chords Explained: Why ‘Wrong’ Chords Sound So Good - Out Of Key Chords

Ever hit a chord that feels wrong—but still works beautifully?

In this bonus Q&A, Nate breaks down why “outsider” chords, like borrowed chords and secondary dominants, can sound incredible when used the right way.

You’ll learn how certain “not-in-the-key” chords sneak into songs and make them better.

🔍 Real Song Example: In “Rio” by Duran Duran, the chord progression goes:

Em7 – C – Am7 – C – Em – C – A – C

Matt asked: Why does that A major chord sound so good when the song is in the key of E minor?

Nate explains how that chord works—even though it’s not technically in the key.

It’s a perfect example of how to bend the rules and still sound musical.

What you’ll learn in this video:

🎸 Diatonic vs. non-diatonic chords (and why it matters)

🎸 Why the A major chord in “Rio” works

🎸 Using shared tones to glue progressions together

🎸 How to bring emotional tension and surprise into your writing

These techniques aren’t just theory—they’re creative tools to make your progressions hit harder, sound cooler, and keep your listener hooked.