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Chords to "I Walk the Line": How the Chord Progression Works
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“I Walk The Line” ... In the original recording of this song, here’s what Cash does:
- Starts in the key of F (chords are F, B♭, and C7), then
- Shifts down a fifth to the key of B♭ (chords are B♭, E♭, and F7), then
- Again shifts down a fifth to the key of E♭, (chords are E♭, A♭, and B♭7),then
- Shifts back up a fifth, returning to the key of B♭, then
- Shifts back up a fifth again, returning to the key of F, ending the song in the original key.
(No doubt, the guitar players at the recording session had capos on the first fret and were playing the chord shapes, E, A, and D, instead of F, B♭, and E♭, respectively.)
But here’s the kicker: The second time Cash sings the tune in F, he sings the melody a full octave lower than the first time in F. The words are identical in the two F-key verses, creating a striking contrast. Overall, it’s a masterful piece of arranging. Within this song, Cash’s singing range is two octaves plus a major second.