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“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is a song in the key of B minor, although it freely borrows chords from the parallel major key. The song’s structure is as follows: Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus – Instrumental.

“Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails features a melancholic and introspective chord progression. The song is predominantly in the key of B minor. The verse and outro sections revolve around the Bm, D, and E chords, while the chorus uses a progression of Bm, G, D, A. The use of borrowed chords enriches the harmonic landscape, adding depth to the composition.

“Your Song” is characterized by a varied and complex chord progression that helps to emphasize the emotional complexity of the lyrics. This is apparent in the progression used in Verse 2, which employs several techniques used frequently by Elton John. These include the use of secondary dominants, borrowed chords, modal mixture, and chromatic bass movements to add emotional color and reinforce the feeling of tension and resolution in the song’s narrative.

The song “Yellow” by Coldplay uses a fairly standard pop/rock chord progression in the key of G major. It comprises three chords for the main progression: G Major (I), D Major (V), and Cmaj7 (IV7).

The chord progression in MGMT’s “Congratulations” contains a mix of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, which provide a combination of stability and tension throughout the progression. The harmonic rhythm is slow, and the progression is mostly driven by bass line movement and voice leading. The mixture of borrowed chords, inversions, and suspended chords contributes to the overall unique character of the piece.

Nine Inch Nails – Closer – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

Cm7, Cm7, Cm7, Cm7

Chord Progression Analysis

C minor 7 (i7) – C minor 7 (i7) – C minor 7 (i7) – C minor 7 (i7)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Breathe” by Pink Floyd
Chord progression: Em9 (ii9) – A7sus4 (V7sus4) – A7 (V7) – Em9 (ii9)

2. “Creep” by Radiohead
Chord progression: G (I) – B (III) – C (IV) – Cm (iv)

3. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
Chord progression: Em (i) – Cmaj7 (VIΔ7) – G6 (III6) – D/F# (VII/2)

While these examples might not have the exact same chord progression as “Closer,” they display similar characteristics such as repetitive chord patterns, simple yet effective harmony, and strong focus on other musical elements to create tension and atmosphere.

Musical Analysis

The heavy repetition of the C minor 7 chord throughout the song creates a sense of stability and tension at the same time. The use of the minor 7th extends the harmony and depth of each chord. There are no borrowed chords in the given progression.

Overall Analysis

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is based primarily around the C minor 7 chord, giving the song its dark and moody atmosphere. The song is in the key of C minor. This chord progression is repetitive and simple, allowing other aspects of the song, such as the lyrics and production, to take center stage.

Style Analysis

Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” is an iconic example of the industrial rock genre, featuring aggressive beats, synthesized instruments, and electronic textures. The simplicity of the chord progression places a stronger focus on the other elements of the song – the catchy synth riffs, the atmospheric singing, and the gritty production.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Closer by Nine Inch Nails are:

Cm7, Cm7, Cm7, Cm7