Music Theory Alchemy

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“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane uses a handful of straightforward major and minor chords which contribute to a pop, atmospheric, and emotive sound indicative of the band’s alternative rock aesthetic. The chord progression of the pre-chorus is fairly common and creates a cyclical and slightly unsettled feel that fits well with the song’s lyrical themes of uncertainty and longing for return.

“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane is a pop/rock song written in the key of A Major, although the chord progression given seems to be transposed to the key of C Major. It is characterized by its use of repeated motifs and sequenced chord progressions to create a sense of familiarity and typical of the pop genre.

“A Star is Born – Shallow” is primarily in the key of G major and has a fairly simple and straightforward chord progression with an intriguing twist toward the end. The song features a common I-V-vi-IV chord progression with an occasional ii-chord (Am) substituting for the vi-chord (Em). Then, it introducess a borrowed chord (Bm) which creates an interesting, unexpected color in the harmony.

The outro of ‘Hey Jude’ by The Beatles is a prime example of a repeated chord progression, specifically a repeated loop of D-C-G-D. This progression is repeated throughout the last significant section of the song, often referred to as the “na na na” section, essentially becoming a kind of mantra or chant that brings the song to a sustained and palpable resolution.

The chord progression in the outro of Weezer’s “Undone – The Sweater Song” follows a repeating pattern with a combination of major and power chords. The overall key of the progression is G major, and the chords follow a predictable pattern that is rooted in rock and alternative music styles. The chord progression uses borrowed chords from the parallel key of G minor, specifically the B♭ major chord.

Keane – Somewhere Only We Know – Outro

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Chord Progression

[‘Dm’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Dm’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘Dm’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm’, ‘C’]

Chord Progression Analysis

`Dm – C – G – Dm – Em – C – Dm – Em – Dm – Em – Dm – C`

`D minor (ii) – C Major (I) – G Major (V) – D minor (ii) – E minor (iii) – C Major (I) – D minor (ii) – E minor (iii) – D minor (ii) – E minor (iii) – D minor (ii) – C Major (I)`

As far as borrowed chords are concerned, there are none in this progression; all chords belong to the key of C Major.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Beatles – “Let It Be”:
`C Major (I) – G Major (V) – A minor (vi) – F Major (IV) – C Major (I) – G Major (V) – F Major (IV) – C Major (I)`
2. Elton John – “Your Song”:
`E flat Major (I) – B flat Major (V) – A flat Major (IV) – E flat Major (I) – F minor (ii) – G minor (iii) – A flat Major (IV) – E flat Major (I)`
3. Oasis – “Wonderwall”:
`C Major (I) – E minor (vi) – G Major (V) – D Major (II) – C Major (I) – E minor (vi) – G Major (V) – D Major (II)`

These songs share a similar style of focusing the melody and structure around simple chord progressions, giving room for the lyrics and melody to breathe and take the spotlight. They also have slightly unconventional sequences, giving each song its own unique character.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression is cyclic in nature and provides an interesting harmonic bedrock. The repetitive alternation between ii-I/V chords lends an emotional tinge to the song. The song also uses the iii chord (Em), adding a different color to the otherwise familiar pattern and giving the song a bit of tension that is released when the chord progression moves back to the I chord (C Major).

Overall Analysis

“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane is a softly and tenderly written song that rests primarily on the key of C Major. However, it uses a fair amount of borrowed chords from the parallel minor key, giving it a warm, melancholic tone, which is typical of many pop ballads.

Style Analysis

The band Keane is known for their piano-driven pop/rock sound, and “Somewhere Only We Know” is a clear exemplification of that. In its chord progression, the song employs a brand of simplicity, repetitive cycling, and a sprinkle of unconventional chord usage (iii = Em) that make up their distinctive style of modern rock/pop music.

Chords in the Outro section of Somewhere Only We Know by Keane are:

[‘Dm’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Dm’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘Dm’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm’, ‘C’]