Tyler, The Creator – Earfquake – Chorus
Earfquake < All Analyses
Chord Progression
Bbmaj7, Am7, Gm7, Am7, Bbmaj7, Am7, Gm7, Am7
Chord Progression Analysis
Bb Major 7 (I7) – A Minor 7 (vi7/VI) – G Minor 7 (vi7) – A Minor 7 (vi7/VI) – Bb Major 7 (I7) – A Minor 7 (vi7/VI) – G Minor 7 (vi7) – A Minor 7 (vi7/VI)
Borrowed Chords:
`A Minor 7 (vi7/VI)`
Similar Chord Progressions
1. “One Last Cry” by Brian McKnight:
Bb Major 7 (I7) – G Minor 7 (vi7) – F Major 7 (V7) – E Minor 7 (iv7/IV) – Eb Major 9 (IVmaj9)
2. D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”:
C Major 7 (I7) – A Minor 7 (vi7) – E Minor 7 (iii7) – G Minor 7 (v7/V)
3. Erykah Badu’s “On & On”:
G Major 7 (I7) – A Minor 7 (ii7) – B Minor 7 (iii7) – E Minor 7 (vi7)
These examples demonstrate similar progressions featuring smooth 7th chords and a mixture of diatonic and borrowed chords, highlighting the influence of neo-soul and R&B in the songwriting style.
Musical Analysis
The progression commences with the I7 chord, Bbmaj7, establishing the tonal center in Bb Major. Following this, the progression moves to Am7, which is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (Bb minor). This borrowed chord adds a touch of melancholy, contributing to the overall neo-soul vibe of the piece. Subsequently, the progression leads to Gm7, the vi7 chord, providing a smooth descent from the previous chords. The progression then revisits the borrowed Am7 chord before it repeats the entire sequence once more.
Overall Analysis
The given chord progression is from the chorus of “Earfquake” by Tyler, The Creator, a contemporary hip-hop and neo-soul artist. The progression features a smooth and mellow tonality, characterized by the use of 7th chords. The chord progression is in the key of Bb Major and showcases the use of mostly diatonic chords with a repetition that contributes to the song’s catchy nature.
Style Analysis
Tyler, The Creator, combines elements of neo-soul, R&B, and hip-hop in his work, and the chord progression in “Earfquake” aptly reflects these influences. The use of 7th chords provides a smooth and sophisticated harmonic texture, while the repetition gives the song a catchy and memorable quality. The presence of borrowed chords adds a sense of unpredictability and depth to the progression, a reflection of Tyler’s experimental and innovative approach to songwriting.
What are the chords in: Tyler, The Creator – Earfquake – Chorus?
Bbmaj7, Am7, Gm7, Am7, Bbmaj7, Am7, Gm7, Am7
