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Related Music Theory Alchemy

Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” is a unique blend of industrial rock, electronica, and alternative styles that has propelled the song to prominence as one of the band’s most famous and frequently played tracks. The song is in the key of E major and features a recurring chord progression throughout its various sections.

The song “Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails has a dark and moody atmosphere, characterized by the repetitive chord progression that sets the gloomy tone. This prolific use of chords throughout snippets of the song creates a musical portrait of monotony and disillusion which is reflective of the song’s title and lyrics. Looking at the chords provided from the second verse, this mood is accomplished through the consistent use of minor tonalities and alternation between two power chords – E and C.

“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys showcases the artistic depth and compositional craft of Brian Wilson, the band’s primary songwriter. The song utilizes a complex chord progression and key changes that are unconventional for pop music of its time. The chord progression creates a sense of constant mood transitions, similar to arias in Romantic era music.

“The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” features a verse in A minor with a brief but significant shift to F minor, due to the use of borrowed chords or modal mixture. Notably, it showcases The Beatles’ sophisticated approach to harmonization, utilizing unconventional chord progressions & modulations that are cyclical.

“Idioteque” by Radiohead is a song with an alternative rock/electronic style, featuring an unusual chord progression that effectively creates a sense of tension and instability while still maintaining a familiar and consonant tonality. This can be attributed to the band’s creative use of borrowed chords and harmonic movement.

Nine Inch Nails – Closer – Verse

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Chord Progression

B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G

Chord Progression Analysis

Verse – Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), G (bVI), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), G (bVI), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), G (bVI), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), G (bVI)

There are no borrowed chords in this progression.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Creep”
Chord Progression: G (IV), B (vi), C (VII), Cm (vii)
While not an exact match, “Creep” has some similarities to “Closer” in its use of chromaticism and the intermittent shift between major and minor chords. The chord progression in “Creep” pivots around the tonal center (G), while incorporating elements of color through the use of the Cm chord.

2. The Cure – “Fascination Street”
Chord Progression: G#min (i), F# (VII), E (VI), F# (VII)
“Fascination Street” shares the dark atmosphere and brooding quality associated with “Closer,” using a simple, repetitive chord progression to create an eerie, haunting effect. The use of the descending progression from G#min to F# and E contributes to this unsettling feel.

Musical Analysis

The verse of “Closer” is characterized by a consistent alternation between the tonic (i) and supertonic (ii) chords, with an occasional use of the bVI chord to add tension and color. This creates a hypnotic effect, and the repeated pattern contributes to the driving, mechanical nature of the song. The entire song is built upon this relatively simple chordal foundation, which helps to emphasize the dark, brooding atmosphere and the melancholic melodies.

Overall Analysis

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is a dark and provocative piece built upon a relentless, driving chord progression and sinuous melodies. The downbeat feel and chromaticism contribute to the brooding, unsettling mood of the song, which is a hallmark of the industrial rock genre. The piece is in the key of B minor.

Style Analysis

“Closer” falls under the industrial rock genre, characterized by a heavy use of electronic elements, distorted sounds, and dark lyrical content. This song is emblematic of the late-1980s to mid-1990s period of Nine Inch Nails’ career, when they were heavily influenced by industrial and electronic music styles. The repetitive nature of the chord progression, combined with the aggressive and provocative lyrics, contribute to the raw, confrontational sound that is typical of the industrial rock genre.

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

B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G