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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Hurt”, written by Nine Inch Nails, exudes melancholy and despair through a slow progression that weaves intricate melodies between the chords. The tonality is primarily in B minor, but introduces D, E, A, and G chords throughout, indicating some mode mixture or borrowed chord use.

“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.

The song “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay is in the key of G major and follows a fairly simple chord progression in the pop/rock genre. This progression particularly makes use of the I, IV, V, and vi chords in this key, which is a typical pop progression.

Vance Joy’s “Riptide” is a remarkably simple yet highly effective song written in the key of C Major. The song follows a repetitive I-vi-IV chord progression, which is only varied in the bridge where a minor seventh chord introduces tension before leading back to the song’s major tonality.

“Have You Ever Seen The Rain” is a popular song by Creedence Clearwater Revival from the 1971 album “Pendulum”. This song is performed in the key of C major, and uses chords from the diatonic scale. However, it also utilizes borrowed chords and chord inversions to create a bit of colour and novelty.

Nine Inch Nails – Hurt – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Bm, G, D, A, Bm, G, D, A, Bm, G, D, A, Bm, G, A, B

Chord Progression Analysis

B minor (i) – G major (VI) – D major (III) – A major (VII)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Creep” by Radiohead
Chord progression: G major (I) – B major (III) – C major (IV) – C minor (iv)

2. “Mad World” by Tears for Fears
Chord progression: F minor (i) – A♭ major (III) – B♭ major (IV) – D♭ major (VI)

Note that these songs utilize different keys and may not have the exact same progression as “Hurt,” but they follow a similar pattern and emotional feel due to the use of borrowed chords and related techniques. The shared aesthetic among these songs lies in their emotional depth and introspective lyricism.

Musical Analysis

The foundation of the chord progression is built around the tonic (Bm – i), submediant (G – VI), and mediant (D – III). The A major chord (VII) comes from the parallel major key (B major), which is considered a borrowed chord. This borrowed chord introduces an unexpected major quality into the progression, which adds to the emotional impact of the chorus.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

“Hurt” showcases the signature style of Nine Inch Nails, characterized by introspective lyricism, dark ambiance, and emotional vulnerability. The chord progression complements this aesthetic, evoking a sense of longing, melancholy, and regret. The song also incorporates experimental and electronic elements, along with a simple yet impactful melody.

Chords in the Chorus section of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails are:

Bm, G, D, A, Bm, G, D, A, Bm, G, D, A, Bm, G, A, B