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Related Music Theory Alchemy

Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” is an alternative rock ballad from their 1995 album, “The Bends.” The moody and atmospheric track is characterized by its emotive vocal delivery, contrasting dynamics, rich arrangement, and engaging chord progression. This progression, in particular, features an interesting mixture of diatonic and borrowed chords that create a sense of tension and resolution throughout the piece.

“Creep” by Radiohead is a song in the key of G major that features a four-chord progression in its verse 2, which is distinctive for its use of a borrowed chord from the parallel minor (G minor). Although the song’s simple harmonic structure is quite common in pop music, its use of a borrowed chord adds an element of surprise and emotional depth, establishing Radiohead’s unique sound.

The outro of “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin features a simple alternating chord progression between G major and A major, which creates tension by avoiding a resolution to the tonic or dominant chords. This makes the progression sound unstable, yet well defined as it repeats. The recurring ascending motion creates a sense of lift throughout the outro, while the lack of a true resolution maintains a feeling of unease. This progression is notable for its simplicity, as well as how it invokes a modal sound that is characteristic of the mixolydian mode often used in rock music.

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.

“Everything In Its Right Place” by Radiohead is an experimental and ambient piece released in 2000 as part of their album “Kid A.” The piece defies traditional pop and rock song forms, delving more into the territory of electronic and experimental music. The outro chord progression is simple but intriguing, serving a hypnotic and unresolved quality that keeps the listener engaged.

Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees – Outro

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Chord Progression

Bm7add11, A, E6, Bm7add11, A, E6, Bm7add11, A, E6, Bm7add11, A

Chord Progression Analysis

Bm7add11 (ii7add11) – A (I) – E6 (V6) – Bm7add11 (ii7add11) – A (I) – E6 (V6) – Bm7add11 (ii7add11) – A (I) – E6 (V6) – Bm7add11 (ii7add11) – A (I)

Similar Chord Progressions

Musical Analysis

The progression starts with the Bm7add11, a supertonic chord, creating a sense of anticipation and building tension. The following chord, A major, acts as the tonic, providing a sense of resolution. The E6 chord in the progression is the dominant, giving a powerful sense of forward momentum within the harmony. This sequence of ii – I – V (supertonic, tonic, and dominant) is commonly used in popular music to build a sense of forward momentum and expectation.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the outro of “Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead utilizes some common and some less common harmonic devices. The piece employs diatonic chords with some added extensions, giving a sense of tension and release. Furthermore, the progression is in the key of A major, which contributes to the overall tonality and harmonic structure.

Style Analysis

The overall style of “Fake Plastic Trees” is characterized by its melancholic tone and lush harmonic textures. The use of extended chords, such as the Bm7add11, creates a sense of depth and complexity to the harmony. Additionally, Radiohead is known for experimenting with unconventional chord progressions, which broadens the emotional landscape of their music.

Similar chord progressions by other artists and their chord progressions:

1. Coldplay – “Clocks”
Chord Progression: Dmaj9 (IVmaj9) – Am7 (ii7) – Em7 (v7) – G (I)

2. U2 – “With or Without You”
Chord Progression: D (IV) – A (I) – Bm (ii) – G (V)

3. The Beatles – “Let It Be”
Chord Progression: C (I) – G (V) – Am (vi) – F (IV)

These examples don’t have the exact same chord progression as “Fake Plastic Trees” but share similarities in terms of the use of extended chords, diatonic progressions, and the ii – I – V movement seen in Radiohead’s song. The emotional character and style may also bear some resemblance.

Chords in the Outro section of Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead are:

Bm7add11, A, E6, Bm7add11, A, E6, Bm7add11, A, E6, Bm7add11, A