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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Let It Happen” by Tame Impala is characterized by its psychedelic and experimental nuances. It features an overall bright and uplifting tone despite its use of some more complex chords. The song ska common in pop music. The chord progression in question has a strong melodic sensibility demonstrating Kevin Parker’s ability to incorporate complex musical ideas into a pop format.

“Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” by Tame Impala is a psychedelic pop song notable for its dreamy, lo-fi sound and use of unconventional chord progressions. Musically, the song is written in the key of F major, but creatively uses chromatic mediants, borrowed chords, and modal interchange to establish a unique harmony. The song also uses dynamic contrast to create a dreamlike atmosphere, increasing the song’s overall psychedelic effect.

“The Less I Know The Better” by Tame Impala is in the key of E Major. The track has a unique blending of psych pop and synthrock, combining a funky bass line with Tame Impala’s signature synth timbre. Its harmonic structure is moderately complex and features some compelling chord progressions, with a few borrowed chords.

“Set Fire To The Rain” is a song that largely follows the conventions of pop music, with its simple and repetitive chord progressions echoing those in many similar genres. The chord progression observed in the Outro is primarily a combination of minor and major chords that provide a melancholic and intense undertone to the song’s overall theme. The song is in the key of A minor and the chord progression in the Outro starts on the key’s root chord (‘Am’).

“1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins is written in the A major key and showcases various examples of modal interchange, also known as borrowed chords. The song switches often between the major and minor modes, providing a dynamic interplay of moods. The outro particularly stands out due to its use of both major and maj7th chords, a somewhat unusual combination. Emaj7 adds color and complexity to the progression, as a borrowed chord from the E major scale.

Tame Impala – Let It Happen – Outro

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Chord Progression

[‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Below is the full outro of the song “Let It Happen” listed with their full chord names and roman numerals:
“`plaintext
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
G# Suspended 4 (IIIIV)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
G# Suspended 4 (IIIIV)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
G# Suspended 4 (IIIIV)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
G# Suspended 4 (IIIIV)
E Major 7 *Borrowed Chord* (VII)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
G# Suspended 4 (IIIIV)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
E Major 7 *Borrowed Chord* (VII)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Billie Eilish – “Ocean Eyes”
This song uses a similar chord progression in its refrain:
“`plaintext
C Major (I)
D Minor (ii)
A minor (vi)
G Major (V)
“`
2. The Police – “Every Breath You Take”
This song features a tangent but somewhat relatable chord progression in its verses:
“`plaintext
G add9 (I)
Eb Major *Borrowed Chord* (IIIb)
D Major (V)
“`
3. Coldplay – “The Scientist”
Relevant progression in the verses:
“`plaintext
D Minor (i)
Bb Major (VI)
F Major (III)
C add9 (VII)
“`

Musical Analysis

There is a frequent cadence of I-vi-IIIIV throughout the piece. The relationship between these chords creates a progression and cadence that is both expected and satisfying. The suspended 4th chord (G#sus4) acts as a device for building tension, which is then released during the resolution back to the first degree, A Major. The borrowed chord, Emaj7, from the parallel minor adds an interesting color and unexpected mood shift in the outro, contrasting with the general progression and creating a surprising yet melodic turn in the harmony.

Overall Analysis

The song “Let It Happen” by Tame Impala, which is in the key of A Major, uses a simple yet effective chord progression during its outro. The common pattern of I-vi-IIIIV (Major-minor-Suspended 4) recurs throughout. The G#sus4 chord provides a moment of tension before resolving back to the tonic and restarting the pattern. The progression concludes with an Emaj7 chord, which is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor.

Style Analysis

Musically, Tame Impala often combines elements of psychedelic rock, synth-pop and disco, always showing strong roots in melodic and harmonic writing. The chord progression in “Let it Happen” shows this, with its searing synths and percussive elements supporting a simple but catchy loop.

Chords in the Outro section of Let It Happen by Tame Impala are:

[‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’]