Zombie
Four chords, one relentless minor loop, and a huge emotional payoff. Here's what makes Zombie hit so hard.
The chords & what each one does
Chords labelled with their Roman numeral(the chord's role in the key) and its job. Numbers, not letters — so you can move the whole thing to any key.
Why it works
The i–VI–III–VII loop (Em–C–G–D) is one of the most powerful minor-key progressions in rock — it never resolves to a bright major home, so it stays urgent and unsettled.
The heavy version just plays those same four chords as power chords with distortion — same theory, more weight.
It's a superb first minor-key song: four easy chords that teach how a minor loop builds tension without ever letting go.
Hear it & see it on the fretboard
Open the interactive tool and its Learn a Song tab to hear these chords, watch them light up on the neck, and play the progression in time. Want to check a key by ear? Try the key finder, and brush up on chord progressions.
More song breakdowns
Educational analysis only. We don't reproduce lyrics, sheet music or recordings — chord progressions, keys and scales are shared facts of music theory. Song and artist names are used for identification and commentary; ThunderFret is not affiliated with or endorsed by any artist.
Reading only gets you so far — open the interactive fretboard and watch these ideas light up on guitar and piano.
Enter the toolFrequently asked
What key is Zombie in?
E minor. The chords Em, C, G and D are all from E minor and it centres on Em.
What chords are in Zombie by The Cranberries?
Four, looping: Em, C, G and D — a i–VI–III–VII progression.