When the three members of comedy rock band Axis of Awesome lined up on stage at the 2009 Melbourne Comedy Rock Festival, they shared with the audience that they had been together for years and had yet to have a hit song. Ironically, that was all about to change. Expressing their desire to explore what actually went into writing a hit, the trio shared their theory that all you need is the same four chords. Thus, the ‘Four Chord Song’ was born, along with the start of the group’s global success.
Taking a tour through songs old and new, the group played a medley of songs, including classics by Journey and The Beatles, as well as 2009 top hits by artists like 3OH!3 and Lady Gaga, all using the same four chords. The crowd was in hysterics as they transitioned seamlessly between the songs, jumping around the genres to create a surprising tapestry all based around the same framework. When the video got uploaded online, it went viral and has now reached a whopping 88M views.
I remember hearing the ‘Four Chord Song’ when it first went viral, and I was impressed by the creativity that went into the song and found it hilarious. I must admit, though, it did give me a little bit of hubris, and for a moment I thought I could be the next big songwriter. If four chords are all you need, how hard could it be? Well, Music Man fans, it has yet to happen for me. If Axis of Awesome are anything to go by, it turns out that you do need a whole dose of inspired creativity as well.
Luckily, their creativity didn’t run dry there. After the success of the ‘Four Chord Song’, they made a number of other comedy songs for fans to enjoy, a fan favourite of which was ‘How To Write A Love Song.’ The song and music video hit upon just about every cliché found in popular love songs from the ’90s, making for another hilarious number. Dressed all in white in front of flowing curtains, with humorous quips about rhyming ‘break up’ with ‘make up’, they were onto another winner.
While Axis of Awesome kept their comedy hits going until as recently as 2018, in the end, it is sure to be ‘Four Chord Song’ that they are remembered for. Any Music Man fans who were online during the time of its release are sure to remember the sensation it caused. Plus, it’s safe to say that, for many musicians, it will be impossible not to think back to this iconic song whenever they come across a song made up of those same four chords.
Axis of Awesome’s ingenious ‘Four Chord Song’ not only skyrocketed them to global fame but also left audiences and aspiring musicians alike inspired and entertained. Their blend of humor and musical prowess shows that while four chords may be all you need, it’s their unique creative flair that truly shines. For more about this comedy rock sensation, check out the links below.