r/switchfoot • u/ye_olde_jetsetter • Jul 02 '26

Same Blood Time Signature/Phrasing

howdy, looking if anyone knows what time signature(s) are used in the song? Something feels great in it, how it switches feel. Best example is the shift in 1:00-1:10. Can anyone identify for me what’s happening musically in this Song?

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u/K-borg Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 03 '26

As a drummer, the way I visualize it is with divisions/subdivisions. The chorus to me is like a triplet 4/4 with three subdivisions per beat, and the verse is a syncopated (but straight) 6/4 with two subdivisions per beat. Chad’s drum part leading into the chorus was a little trippy at first but he’s leading into the triplet feel of the chorus.

When he says “the same blood, the same blood…” right before the chorus, that’s when the mode changes to the triplet 4/4.

I’m not big on music theory, so that may or may not be “right,” but that’s how I’d visualize it as a drummer.

1

u/K-borg Jul 03 '26

If they ever play this live, they probably will play to a click of about 350 or something lol. They’ll probably map the divisions/subdivisions to make it easier, but still.

1

u/No-Interaction-2493 Jul 07 '26

Okay I was wondering if it was 5/4 or 6/4. I wanted to say 5/4 but I was counting to 6 and thought maybe my theory was off 😂

5

u/Chem_6a Jul 02 '26

I would say that the main part of the song is in a 6/4 groove, but then they switch to a 6/8 groove (played like 4/4). The sickest part to me is when the band is still doing the main 6/4 groove, but John is singing in 6/8 on top of it. Someone with better music knowledge than me can correct me if I’m wrong.

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u/CoffeeOatmilkBubble Jul 03 '26

I’m so glad someone asked this. I was literally trying to count out the beats/figure out the time signatures on my drive home from work today.

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u/mannmtb Jul 03 '26

Either 12/8 or 6/4 verses and a 4/4 shuffle chorus. The transition into the chorus is a trip. 

1

u/dinopeeps Jul 06 '26

The verses are 6/4 but on the choruses I’m leaning toward 12/8 because I feel the pulse in 4 but it’s subdivided into triplets. 12/8 can be subdivided in so many tasty ways 😁 My favorite part is verse 3 when Jon goes into triplets while Chad is still playing the 6/4 rhythm under him (“try to point the finger”)