None of George Harrison's Beatles songs are one-chord.
http://www.simpsonspark.com/images/whitepages/hutz_lionel.jpgThat was a right-pretty speech, sir.
Although the Harrison songs don't match the proper definition of a true one-chord song, they do all contain instruments which plays 5 chords throughout the songs' entireties. So there is at least one instrument which plays only one chord for the whole song, and the bass notes remain stagnant as well. It may not fit the definition you're anticipating, but it does answer what the question was asking.
― billstevejim (billstevejim), Thursday, 23 June 2005 04:01 (eighteen years ago) link
― OCP (OCP), Thursday, 23 June 2005 04:58 (eighteen years ago) link
― shine headlights on me (electricsound), Thursday, 23 June 2005 05:57 (eighteen years ago) link
I don't have perfect pitch, so I can't really know what you're talking about without taking it to a piano, and I don't remember the Big Star song. But to me, even admitting the vast gray area, the point stands: The test isn't in how you'd write out the chords or explain them to other musicians, but in how you'd hear them. To my ears, when you play a C major chord, and then play the same chord while at the same time adding a C sharp, you just changed the chord. Maybe I'm wrong, or my terminology is fucked, but it sure sounds like the chord has changed to me...
― Pete Scholtes, Thursday, 23 June 2005 17:10 (eighteen years ago) link
straitjacket fits - life in one chord
also happens to be the fits best song
― chris andrews (fraew), Thursday, 23 June 2005 22:28 (eighteen years ago) link
― Fetchboy, Friday, 16 March 2007 15:22 (seventeen years ago) link
― Jazzbo, Friday, 16 March 2007 15:33 (seventeen years ago) link
― Jazzbo, Friday, 16 March 2007 15:34 (seventeen years ago) link
― filthy dylan, Friday, 16 March 2007 16:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― Colonel Poo, Friday, 16 March 2007 16:55 (seventeen years ago) link
― o. nate, Friday, 16 March 2007 17:11 (seventeen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Friday, 16 March 2007 17:37 (seventeen years ago) link
― nabisco, Friday, 16 March 2007 17:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― Joe, Friday, 16 March 2007 18:44 (seventeen years ago) link
― nickalicious, Friday, 16 March 2007 20:08 (seventeen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Friday, 16 March 2007 20:24 (seventeen years ago) link
― nabisco, Friday, 16 March 2007 20:28 (seventeen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Friday, 16 March 2007 20:30 (seventeen years ago) link
― Cameron Octigan, Friday, 16 March 2007 21:37 (seventeen years ago) link
― erganom, Friday, 16 March 2007 22:32 (seventeen years ago) link
― nabisco, Friday, 16 March 2007 23:02 (seventeen years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Friday, 16 March 2007 23:03 (seventeen years ago) link
― St3ve Go1db3rg, Friday, 16 March 2007 23:33 (seventeen years ago) link
― St3ve Go1db3rg, Friday, 16 March 2007 23:35 (seventeen years ago) link
― pinder, Friday, 16 March 2007 23:37 (seventeen years ago) link
― unfished business, Friday, 16 March 2007 23:48 (seventeen years ago) link
― Trayce, Friday, 16 March 2007 23:55 (seventeen years ago) link
― Hurting 2, Saturday, 17 March 2007 00:00 (seventeen years ago) link
― St3ve Go1db3rg, Saturday, 17 March 2007 00:03 (seventeen years ago) link
― Hurting 2, Saturday, 17 March 2007 00:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― Colonel Poo, Saturday, 17 March 2007 01:01 (seventeen years ago) link
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Saturday, 17 March 2007 01:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― Colonel Poo, Saturday, 17 March 2007 01:11 (seventeen years ago) link
― unfished business, Saturday, 17 March 2007 01:13 (seventeen years ago) link
― St3ve Go1db3rg, Saturday, 17 March 2007 01:43 (seventeen years ago) link
― stephen, Saturday, 17 March 2007 06:13 (seventeen years ago) link
― Hurting 2, Saturday, 17 March 2007 06:20 (seventeen years ago) link
― Herb Levy, Sunday, 18 March 2007 12:47 (seventeen years ago) link
― Curt1s Stephens, Sunday, 18 March 2007 20:38 (seventeen years ago) link
Alan Vega "Jukebox Babe"
― bigdawg (crüt), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 05:25 (thirteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6CFyn_WzVY
― Meme From Turner (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 05:52 (thirteen years ago) link
lots that have already been listed, but also:
'7:20 am Jullander Shere' by Cornershop
― Blazes Boyband (Pillbox), Wednesday, 19 January 2011 06:10 (thirteen years ago) link
I was listening to the Prince vocals version of "Love thy will be done" and it suddenly appeared to me that it's a one chord song since the bass plays the same note through the whole song ! of course, the synth plays other notes but still (It's a bit like "tomorrow never knows" which has the bass playing one chord and some noises playing other notes, I guess...)
I'd forgotten what a great song it is anyway...
― AlXTC from Paris, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 14:52 (twelve years ago) link
Best one-chord song round my house right now is "Sabotage"
― poxen, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 15:57 (twelve years ago) link
I'd say the Adverts' "One Chord Wonders," but it probably has more than one.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 16:08 (twelve years ago) link
Best concert promo poster ever, for a tour featuring The Adverts and The Damned: "The Adverts know one chord, the Damned know three. See all four at...."
Several mentions of Nilsson's "Coconut", but how about "Jump Into the Fire"? Those should get bonus points for being consecutive hit singles.
― Lee593 (Lee626), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 19:52 (twelve years ago) link
Jump Into the Fire has more than one chord. I believe two or maybe three, in fact.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 19:55 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1rp8lJFwv8
― fishermen are coveted by whores & stoners (Pillbox), Wednesday, 9 May 2012 20:01 (twelve years ago) link
Jennifer Gentle "I do dream you"
― Trip Maker, Wednesday, 9 May 2012 20:04 (twelve years ago) link