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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead is a melancholic song with an emotional chord progression. The song is in the key of A Major and features a mixture of diatonic chords, suspended chords, and extended chords that create a sense of yearning and tension. The verse is characterized by a cyclical progression that begins and ends on the tonic (A), providing a sense of unresolved tension. This helps to support the song’s themes of artificiality and dissatisfaction.

** The chord progression in Verse 3 of Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” is a combination of diatonic and non-diatonic chords in the key of A major, featuring the use of suspended chords, 9th chords, and 6th chords. The progression has a tonally ambiguous and ethereal quality, which is characteristic of Radiohead’s style.

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Kali Uchis’ “Telepatia” features a relatively simple two-chord progression in the outro, consisting of a major seventh chord followed by a dominant seventh chord. The harmonic texture is sparse yet effective, with a unique, ethereal atmosphere created by the interplay between the two chords.

“When Doves Cry” by Prince features an unorthodox chord progression compared to many pop or rock songs from the era. The chord progression in the Outro as well as throughout the song remains constant, which underscores the plaintive mood of the song and lyrics. The progression: Em – F – G in the Outro contains borrowed chords from the parallel minor. This introduces a sense of ambiguity to the overall tonality.

“Yellow” by Coldplay is in the key of G major and employs a mix of diatonic chords, extended chords such as the seventh chords, and the occasional borrowed chord from G minor. The progression presents variations of a common IV-V-I pattern seen in pop and rock music.

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