B minor is not the most popular key for music, but it still has plenty of uses. Of course, beginners are not too fond of this chord because it is a barre chord based on the A string, and it can be challenging to play.
This is also a relative key to the D major, which means that you can also use the D major scale for soloing. As long as you hit the root note. However, you can always stick to the B minor pentatonic if that feels more comfortable.
The key is often described as melancholic and solitary, while some composers called it the key of patience. Exploring the key of B minor can be quite fun, and there are so many great songs written in this key. So, here is a list of some of the most popular songs in B minor you can learn.
Men At Work – Down Under
Down Under was released in 1980, and it was the B-side of the single Keypunch Operator. It later appeared on the Business as Usual album, and it became popular worldwide. It was named the second “most Australian” song of all time.
The main theme of the song is in B minor, and the chord progression from the intro continues throughout the verse. The chorus is in D major, which is the relative key to B minor. The song doesn’t include a lot of chord changes, and it is fun to learn. Although, beginners might need to tackle a few new chords and strumming patterns.
Pink Floyd – Money
One of the most recognizable songs by Pink Floyd is Money. It was released in 1973, and it’s from The Dark Side of the Moon. What is interesting about this track is that there are a few changes in the tempo.
The song is in 7/4 but changes to 4/4 for the solo section. As for the progression, Money is based on twelve-bar blues, and it is in the key of B minor. Another fun fact is that the demo for the song was in G# minor, but the studio version was changed to B minor for the release.
Bob Marley And The Wailers – Jamming
If you are a fan of reggae, you probably know Jamming by Bob Marley and the Wailers. It is one of the most popular songs in the genre, and the chord progression is quite simple. Naturally, the song is in the key of B minor.
But with reggae, the main goal is to nail the rhythm. This means you will need to learn how to mute strings and play that unique strumming pattern if you want the song to sound as good as the original.
Billy Idol – Rebel Yell
Rebel Yell is one of the most famous songs by Billy Idol, and it was released in 1983 on the album with the same name. The song quickly became popular worldwide, and it is an amazing piece to learn.
The name of the song came from the bottle of bourbon Billy Idol shared with the members of the Rolling Stones. This tune is in B minor, and it can be quite tricky to play thanks to the fingerpicking intro, but it is worth checking out.
Cutting Crew – (I Just) Died In Your Arms
The debut single by Cutting Crew came out in 1986, and it is their most famous song. (I Just) Died in Your Arms became a global hit, and it topped charts all over the world. If you are interested in learning the song, you should know that this power ballad can be tricky.
The song is written in B minor, and the chord progression is simple. But if you want to play everything, you will need to learn all the licks and fillers that go throughout the song. Furthermore, you will need a whammy bar as well.
(I Just) Died in Your Arms Guitar Chords
Danzig – Mother
Mother is a song by Danzig, and it was released in 1988. It was the main single from the debut album, and it is one of the biggest songs of the era. At least when it comes to the world of heavy metal. The song has a powerful message, incredible riffs, and amazing production thanks to Rick Rubin.
If you are interested in learning how to play this song, there are a few things you will need to learn. Firstly, you will need to practice a lot if you want to nail the solo. However, the basics of the song are not too complex, and it is beginner-friendly.
Hall & Oates – Maneater
If you are a fan of the eighties music, you already know Maneater. It is a song by Hall & Oates, and it came out in 1982. The main key of the song is B minor, but it changes throughout the song. However, the most important part everyone knows is in B minor.
There are a few new chords you might want to learn, and the song can be tricky for beginners. Those who are familiar with unusual chords will love playing this tune, and it is a nice opportunity to learn something new.
Nine Inch Nails – Hurt
Hurt is a song by Nine Inch Nails, and it appeared on their second album called The Downward Spiral. The album was released in 1994, and Hurt received numerous awards. Many people are familiar with this track thanks to the cover by Johnny Cash that was released in 2002.
The song is in a key of B minor, and it is a bit different from the version recorded by Cash. Fortunately, it is not too hard to learn, and there aren’t many complicated chords you will need to learn.
Ed Sheeran – The Man
The Man is a song from Ed Sheeran’s second album called x (which is often named Times or Multiply). It was released in 2014, and it was the sixth single from this record. There are two main ways to approach this song.
You can either play it with a capo, which means that you will play Am as the key chord, or you can play barre chords instead. Either way, the song is in B minor, and it has a great-sounding chord progression.
Lady Gaga – Alejandro
Alejandro came out in 2009, and it is a song from Lady Gaga’s third EP called The Fame Monster. It is a reissue of her debut album called The Fame. Alejandro is a song in B minor, but you will need a capo to play.
The capo is on the second fret, and the first chord you will play is B minor. However, since you will be having a capo on your guitar, the shape will be the same as A minor. This is why tabs will often list chords based on the reference chords you would play without a capo. So, even though you will start with “open A minor,” it is still a B minor chord.
Ram Jam – Black Betty
Black Betty is a folk song, and one of the earliest recordings was by Lead Belly in 1939. While many people credit him for the song, there are older versions of this tune. But the most popular one is by Ram Jam.
The Ram Jam version was released in 1977, and it is considered one of the classics in the world of rock, hard rock, and rock blues. And playing it is quite easy. You will need to play power chords (or riffs), and the only thing required is to nail timings.
Conclusion
There are so many great songs written in B minor, and while it is not the most common key, you can still find plenty of different options. And there will be a song for you regardless of the genre you love listening to.
One of the most common practices for songs in B minor is to add a capo on the second fret and play open chords instead of bothering with barre chords. But this also means that you can play the majority of these songs without a capo if barre chords are not a problem for you.
As always, the most important thing is to practice. Some of the songs on the list can be great for beginners, while others will require a lot of dedication. And you can get there if you focus enough and spend time learning all the interesting bits that make these songs special.