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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

The chorus of “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is built around a progression that oscillates between a single major chord, F, and a single minor seventh chord, Cm7. This is quite minimalistic. Major chords usually have a happy, positive feel, while minor chords induce a somewhat sad, introspective mood. The use of C minor 7th gives a particular color to the progression: it’s a minor chord with an added minor seventh, which means it’s a bit less stable than a regular minor chord.

The bridge of Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” features an intriguing chord progression, which presents both diatonic and borrowed chords, as well as chromatic harmony. The song’s key is C major, but it touches on the parallel minor key and incorporates unusual chords such as the Eb major chord, which adds tension and surprise. The chord progression and harmonic rhythm are fairly consistent throughout the bridge, creating a sense of unity.

The song ‘Today’ by The Smashing Pumpkins is a classic example of mixing major and minor modes in rock music. The majority of the song is modal, centered around D major and B minor. However, the bridge section changes gears and revolves around E minor.

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“Here Comes the Sun” written by The Beatles is a seminal work from the Beatles’ output in pop music. The piece is composed in a modified strophic form with a circular pattern augmented with a repetitive and distinct bridge that modulates in key. The use of major chords and open voicings gives the song a sunny and positive feel, hence its title. It’s also notable for its mixed use of diatonic and borrowed chords, contributing to its unique sound.

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Nine Inch Nails – Every Day Is Exactly The Same – Bridge

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Chord Progression

E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E

Chord Progression Analysis

Bridge: E (i) – A (IV) – C (♭VI) – G (III)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Muse – “Knights of Cydonia” (Em – A – C – G)
Chord Progression: E minor (i) – A major (IV) – C major (♭VI) – G major (III)
2. Radiohead – “Karma Police” (Am – D – G)
Chord Progression: A minor (i) – D major (IV) – G major (♭VII)
3. Four Non Blondes – “What’s Up?” (A – Bm – D – A)
Chord Progression: A major (I) – B minor (ii) – D major (IV) – A major (I)

These examples of similar chord progressions by other artists showcase the use of borrowed chords and movement between major/minor keys. Each of the songs mentioned above feature distinct alterations in their chord progressions, yet still maintain a similar atmosphere or mood found in “Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails.

Musical Analysis

The bridge of the song consists primarily of a four-chord progression that repeats several times. It starts with the tonic E minor (i), followed by a borrowed chord A major (IV) from the parallel major key, then the C major (♭VI) chord, and finally the G major (III). This chord progression creates a sense of tension and release, as the tonic chord moves to a borrowed major chord, and then to a more stable ♭VI chord that tends to resolve back to the tonic.

Overall Analysis

The given chord progression is from the song “Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails. The overall structure of the song consists of verses, choruses, and a bridge, each with distinct chord progressions that contribute to the song’s moody, melancholic atmosphere. The song is mostly in the key of E minor, with some borrowed chords from the parallel major key.

Style Analysis

Nine Inch Nails is known for their unique blend of industrial and alternative rock music. Their songs often make use of dark, brooding chord progressions, unusual time signatures, and layered textures. In the case of “Every Day Is Exactly The Same,” the borrowed chords and the repetitions of the chord progression in the bridge contribute to the song’s haunting and sorrowful atmosphere, which is characteristic of the band’s style.

Chords in the Bridge section of Every Day Is Exactly The Same by Nine Inch Nails are:

E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E