Portishead – Roads – Break
Roads < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘F’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘E7’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G6’]
Chord Progression Analysis
1. F Major (‘VI)
2. G Major (‘VII)
3. A Minor (‘i)
4. F Major (‘VI)
5. G Major (‘VII)
6. E7 (‘V7/bIII – Borrowed chord)
7. Fmaj7 (‘VI ∆7’)
8. A Minor (‘i)
9. G6 (‘VII6)
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Borrowed Chord: E7 (‘V7/bIII)
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Similar Chord Progressions
– Radiohead’s “Exit Music (For a Film)” presents a similar mix of familiar diatonic chords with non-diatonic ones, (“Am”- ‘i’, “G#dim” – ‘#viio’, “F”- ‘VI’, “D#dim ” – ‘#Ivio’, “Am/C” – ‘i, “Em” – ‘v’, “C ” – ‘III’).
– Massive Attack’s “Teardrop”, another trip-hop classic, has a progression that follows a similar format though completely diatonic: (“F” – ‘VI’, “Dm” – ‘iv’, “Am” – ‘i’, “G” – ‘VII’).
These examples, like “Roads”, make innovative use of simple and widely-used harmonic tools to create genre-defining soundscapes.
Musical Analysis
F Major and G Major are the VI and VII chords in the natural minor scale of A minor. Proceeding to an A minor adds a delightful resolution to the progression, making it feel complete. The E7 acts as a borrowed chord from the parallel major (A major) scale, providing a distinctive bluesy feel and an unexpected twist to the progression. The Fmaj7 introduces an expressive change of pace, hinting at a more complex emotional moodiness. The G6 at the end leaves an airy feel, yearning for resolution back to the tonic, hence adhering to the quintessential Latin Jazz (from which trip-hop borrows heavily) trick of using an unresolved dominant chord.
Overall Analysis
The song “Roads” by Portishead features a haunting yet melodic chord progression reminiscent of the minor key-oriented pop/rock of the 90’s. It combines chords from the key of A minor along with a borrowed chord from the parallel major key to create a moody, atmospheric soundscape typical of the trip-hop genre.
Style Analysis
Portishead’s music is characterized by its blending of electronic and acoustic elements, hazy, somber moods, and innovative use of traditional musical structures. This chord progression is a perfect example of their style—conventional in construction, yet unique and evocative in presentation. The melancholy undertones produced by the minor key and complicated by the major seventh and sixth chords, are emblematic of their melancholic yet strangely comforting sound.
What are the chords in: Portishead – Roads – Break?
[‘F’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘E7’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G6’]
