Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

The given chord progression for the ending of Radiohead’s “You And Whose Army?” is in the key of A major. There are four chords in the progression: A, C#m, B-5, and B-5. Overall, it follows a relatively simple harmonic structure that incorporates power chords and a chromatic neighbor tone in the bass.

The chorus of Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” features an unconventional and diverse chord progression, drawing from various scale degrees. This progression contributes to the song’s complex, shifting quality, moving through several tonal centers.

Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ contains a rich mixture of chord progressions, which is typical of the band’s complex songwriting. The outro of the song makes use of the F, F7, Bb, and Gm7 chords. This progression is in the key of F Major, with F being the tonic (I), F7 being the dominant 7th (V7), Bb being the subdominant (IV) and Gm7 being the submediant 7th (vi7). The Bb chord is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (F Minor) and the usage of F7 serves to add a level of tension before resolving to the Bb.

Patterns in music are fundamental for creating musical identity. This repetition ensures the music is coherent and familiar for the listener. In the case of “Perfect” by Smashing Pumpkins, the song makes use of a common popular music chord progression known as the I – vi progression.

The key of the song is D major which makes it easier to analyze the chord progression according to the diatonic scale in the key of D Major.

Radiohead – You And Whose Army – Outro

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

C#m, E, F#, C#, C#m, E, F#, C#, C#m, E, F#, C#, C#m, E, F#, C#

Chord Progression Analysis

C#m – i
E – III (borrowed chord from C# major)
F# – V/v (secondary dominant of the borrowed III chord)
C# – I (borrowed chord from C# major)

“`
| C#m (i) | E (III) | F# (V/v) | C# (I) |
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Chord Progression:

“`
| Am (i) | A (I) | E (V) | G (VII) |
“`

2. Muse – “Space Dementia”
Chord Progression:

“`
| Bm (i) | D (III) | Bm (i) | G (VI) |
“`

3. Coldplay – “Clocks”
Chord Progression:

“`
| Ebm (i) | Bb (V) | Gb (III) | Fm (v) | Ab (VII) | Ebm (i) | Bb (V) | Ab (VII) |
“`

Musical Analysis

The chord progression’s use of borrowed chords and secondary dominants creates complexity and interest, while maintaining a sense of tonality with the strong I/i resolution. The borrowed III creates a surprise shift in tonality, which is further emphasized by the secondary dominant V/v leading back to the I chord. This mixture of major and minor qualities gives the progression an ambiguous and dreamy feel that is often found in Radiohead’s music.

Overall Analysis

This chord progression from Radiohead’s “You And Whose Army” is in the key of C# minor, and the chords are predominantly composed of diatonic chords from the C# natural minor scale with some borrowed chords from the parallel major scale. The progression follows a looped pattern, creating a hypnotic and catchy quality which is characteristic of Radiohead’s music.

Style Analysis

This chord progression is characteristic of Radiohead’s atmospheric, innovative style. It is cleverly composed, with the mix of major and minor chords creating a mesmerizing and emotive feel, which suits the overall atmosphere of the song. Radiohead is known for their ability to experiment and push the boundaries of traditional harmonic progressions, and this chord progression is another example of that.

Chords in the Outro section of You And Whose Army by Radiohead are:

C#m, E, F#, C#, C#m, E, F#, C#, C#m, E, F#, C#, C#m, E, F#, C#