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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails is primarily composed in the key of E minor. The song consists of four sections: Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, and Bridge. The chord progressions in the song are relatively simple, with a distinct alternation between E and C chords in the verses, while the chorus and bridge sections feature a broader range of chords such as A, C, and G.

Chord Progression Analysis (Verse 2):
E minor (i), C major (VI), E minor (i), C major (VI), E minor (i), C major (VI), G major (III), F major (♭VII; borrowed chord from E Phrygian), E minor (i)

*G major (III) and F major (♭VII) are both non-diatonic chords in E minor, with the F major chord being borrowed from the E Phrygian mode.

“Something I Can Never Have” by Nine Inch Nails features a haunting and melancholic chord progression typical of the alternative rock and industrial rock genres. The tonality of the piece centers around the key of C major, with occasional borrowed chords and chromaticism adding emotional color and tension. The verse and chorus sections both feature a similar pattern of repeating chords as well as a descending bass line connecting the chords, giving the piece cohesion.

The bridge of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” features a blend of jazz, R&B, and pop elements. The harmonic progression showcases a series of descending chords, interspersed with borrowed chords that provide an interesting twist to the overall tonality of the piece.

“You And Whose Army?” by Radiohead is an alternative rock song featuring an interesting chord progression in the bridge. The chord progression is characterized by its dynamic movement and integration of non-diatonic chords. The progression is in the key of C# minor, and it displays unique qualities that allow it to stand out from traditional chord progressions. The combination of borrowed chords and voice leading creates a sense of tension and excitement, which contributes to the song’s overall atmosphere.

“Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins is a rock song that alternates between heavy distortion and calm sections. Interestingly, the song is mostly in E minor, but uses a lot of power chords (5th chords) and sus2 chords which give the song a distinctively undecided, floating feeling, as these chords don’t have a clear major or minor character. The song uses a rather straightforward progression with a few deviations and embellishments which provide tension and release.

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