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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

“Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead is a haunting and introspective ballad that features an evocative chord progression. The progression appears to have been influenced by alternative rock and combines elements of both major and minor tonalities, as well as non-diatonic and diatonic chords. This blend of harmonic flavors creates an unforgettable sound that is melancholic, yet beautiful.

“Beast of Burden,” by The Rolling Stones, a song characterized by a typical rock-pop structure, primarily uses a IV-chord loop in the key of E major. The chord progression in the outro follows a specific sequence: E, to B, to C#m, to A. The return to the E at the end of the progression gives it a circular feel that encourages cohesion.

“Think I’m In Love” by Beck is a pop-infused indie rock piece that features an easy-going, catchy melody and a simple yet effective chord progression. The use of repetitive chords throughout the Outro creates a sense of stability and familiarity. The Outro builds upon the tonal center of F Major established earlier in the song and prolongs the tonic, adding to the song’s overall sense of closure and resolution.

“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys is one of their most well-known pieces and a primary example of the sophisticated harmonic writing characteristic of the group’s 1966 “Pet Sounds” record. This piece is particularly designed in the key of A major. The Outro of the song includes the following chords: ‘A’, ‘E/G#’, ‘F#m7’, ‘E/G#’ and many other chords throughout the song with complex chord changes that might not be typical in a pop song, but are characteristic of the band’s sound.

Radiohead – Everything In Its Right Place – Outro

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Chord Progression

F, C, Db, Eb

Chord Progression Analysis

F major (I) – C major (V) – D♭ major (♭VI) – E♭ major (♭VII)

`D♭ major and E♭ major are borrowed chords from the parallel minor (F minor).`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Creep” by Radiohead: (‘I) – (‘V) – (‘♭VI) – (‘♭III)

2. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics: (‘I) – (‘♭VI) – (‘♭VII) – (‘V)

3. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve: (‘I) – (‘I) – (‘♭VI) – (‘♭VI)

While these similar chord progressions have different chord arrangements, they all make use of borrowed chords and modal mixture to achieve an emotional, distinctive sound.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression, which makes use of borrowed chords from the parallel minor, is quite unusual and adds a distinct flavor to the song. F major, the tonic chord, provides a sense of stability, while the subsequent chords add increasing levels of tension before looping back to the starting point.

Using borrowed chords, such as the D♭ major and E♭ major from the parallel minor, provides a sense of modal mixture to the progression. This creates an intriguing balance between the expected diatonic chords and unexpected modally borrowed chords, effectively maintaining a sense of tension that works well in the context of Radiohead’s ambient, experimental sound.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

“Everything In Its Right Place” is a clear example of Radiohead’s inclination towards experimenting with unconventional chord progressions, structures, and textures. The band, known for pushing the boundaries of rock and alternative music, embraces the use of electronic elements, synthesizers, and audio manipulation in this piece. The harmonic choices and overall atmosphere of the song contribute to its haunting, otherworldly quality.

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

F, C, Db, Eb