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The chord progression of Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” is unique and complex, which contributes to the dreamy, atmospheric, and rich harmonic content prevalent in the song. Its ambiguous key center and shifting tonal centers create a sense of fluidity and unpredictability, commonly observed in Radiohead’s style. The chorus features a blend of diatonic and borrowed chords from parallel keys, which creates a colorful, almost impressionist quality to the progression.

The chord progression in the chorus of Radiohead’s “Knives Out” is an interesting and unconventional one, making use of some borrowed chords and a mix of major and minor tonalities. The overall style of the song can be described as alternative rock with some influences of jazz harmony and chromaticism, creating a unique and moody atmosphere. The progression is mostly diatonic, but it also incorporates some borrowed chords from parallel modes to add color and tension.

“Give Me The Night” is a classic R&B and jazz-infused song by George Benson, released in 1980. The song was written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. It features a smooth, soulful groove, lush harmonies, and a sophisticated chord progression that is characteristic of the late 70s and early 80s R&B and jazz fusion style. The verse of the song makes use of diatonic chords with a few borrowed chords, giving the progression a rich and interesting harmonic content.

The chord progression in the verse 2 of Megalomania by Muse is predominantly in the key of E minor, with several chromatic and borrowed chords that give the progression a unique character. This progression consists of 16 chords and features an interesting mix of diatonic chords, secondary dominants, and borrowed chords that contribute to the dramatic and dark atmosphere of the piece.

“Comfortably Numb” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album, The Wall. It is written in the key of D major and has a slow, dreamy tempo. The second verse of the song features a chord progression that is a blend of major and minor chords, giving the song a sense of melancholy mixed with a calming atmosphere. It also deviates from the typical pop/rock chord progressions, signifying Pink Floyd’s distinct sound and innovative use of harmony.

Radiohead – Everything In Its Right Place – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, F, C, Db, Eb

Chord Progression Analysis

Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Fmaj (‘IV’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’)

Borrowed Chords:
“`
Cmaj (‘bVII’) – Borrowed from the parallel mixolydian mode
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Muse – “Map of the Problematique”
Chord Progression: Dmin (‘i’), Amaj (‘IV’), Bb (‘V’), Gmin (‘iv’)

2. The Beatles – “Let It Be”
Chord Progression: Cmaj (‘I’), Gmaj (‘V’), Amaj (‘VI’), Fmaj (‘IV’)

Though these examples differ in the exact chords used or their order, they share a similar sensibility in borrowing chords and creating tonal ambiguity with modal mixture. Remember, the similarity lies in concept and commonality of borrowing chords, rather than the exact progression.

Musical Analysis

“Everything In Its Right Place” exhibits a strong sense of modal mixture by borrowing chords from parallel modes. In this case, Db major and Eb major chords form the primary key center. In addition to the modal mixture, certain chords like F major add a sense of surprise and tension, which contrasts with the cycling nature of the progression. The progression revolves around bI-bVII-bIII chords throughout verse 2, reinforcing the hypnotic and cyclic nature of the song. This verse modulates between Db major and Eb major, creating a somewhat unresolved undercurrent complementing the shifting chords.

Overall Analysis

The verse 2 chord progression of Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” demonstrates a combination of diatonic and non-diatonic chords with tonal ambiguity, frequent use of borrowed chords from parallel modes, and modulation. The progression has a cyclic, hypnotic quality with occasional surprises due to large leaps in pitch and unexpected, non-diatonic chords.

Style Analysis

The chord progression in “Everything In Its Right Place” is characterized by its unusual and experimental nature. By combining chords from different modes and having unexpected leaps in pitch, the progression defies traditional harmony rules. This is consistent with Radiohead’s style, which often brings avant-garde and unconventional elements into their musical compositions, frequently employing borrowed chords, modal mixtures, and polyrhythmic structures.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Everything In Its Right Place by Radiohead are:

Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, Db, C, Eb, F, C, Db, Eb