The seventh chord was part
of the countercultural
revolution
When a seventh chord (see image
below) is played at a loud volume,
it creates a sensation of being
rebellious and defiant. In the 20th
century, this musical device provided a new way for the younger generation to revolt against the values
of the establishment. Prior to that,
the spirit of rebellion it expressed
was aimed across racial lines in
North America. The blues patterns,
which are built on these harmonies, sound rebellious and defiant
through their chords alone.
‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’, came
from the sevenths in the chords
and the melody. If these sevenths
were removed from the melody
and replaced with another note,
the melody would suddenly lose
its revolutionary nature,