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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression from Muse’s “Hate This And I’ll Love You” displays a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords from the parallel minor. The progression is in the key of A major and shows an unconventional use of chords that gives the song its unique sound. It also showcases certain characteristics of Muse’s music style that includes complex chord progressions and frequent changes between major and minor harmonies.

Chord Progression Analysis and Roman Numerals:

A ('I'), Gm ('bVII'), D/F# ('IV/V'), A ('I'),
Gm ('bVII'), D ('IV'), A ('I'), Gm ('bVII'),
D/F# ('IV/V'), A ('I'), Gm ('bVII'), D/F# ('IV/V')

The borrowed chord in this progression is Gm, taken from the parallel minor, A minor:
`Gm (‘bVII’)`

Muse’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” is a rock interpretation of the classic 1967 pop song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli, which has been covered by various artists in different styles. The chord progression of the chorus is characterized by a series of diatonic chords, predominant in Western pop music. This progression follows a typical 1950’s “doowop” pattern present in countless pop and rock songs, utilizing the familiar circle of fourths movement (Dm-G-C) and establishing a straightforward harmonic rhythm.

Chord Progression Analysis with Roman Numerals (borrowed chords in code block):

D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major (I) – A minor (vi) – D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major (I) – A major (V/vi) – D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major (I) – A minor (vi) – D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major 7 (Imaj7) – C7 (I7) – C6 (I6) – C major (I) – Ab major (*bVI) – C major (I)

`* Ab major (bVI) is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (C minor).`

This chorus from The Beatles’ “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill” is an example of clever use of common chord transitions with several shifts in tonality. The chord progression uses the tonic key of C Major and F minor, showing complex modulation derived from modal interchange and secondary dominant techniques.

The chorus of “Right Where It Belongs” by Nine Inch Nails is built upon a repeating four-chord progression of Gm-Bb-F-C. This song is in the key of Bb major (with two flats in the key signature, Bb and Eb). All the chords used in this song are derived from the Bb major scale, which makes this a diatonic chord progression. There is no borrowed or chromatic harmony in this song.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Ramona” by Beck is an interesting mix of diatonic and borrowed chords that creates a unique and somewhat unexpected harmonic landscape. It combines major and minor chords, borrowed chords from the parallel minor key, and chromatic chords, making a rich harmonic texture.

Muse – Hate This And Ill Love You – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Em, Bm, F#sus4, F#, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Bm7/G#, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, G#m7, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Gm, D/F#, A, Gm, D, Em, Bm, F#sus4, F#m, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Bm7/G#, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Gm, D/F#, A, Gm, D

Chord Progression Analysis

E minor (i), B minor (v), F#sus4 (IVsus4 of Bm), F# major (V of Bm), E minor (i), F# major (II), B minor (v), Bm7/A (*V7/V/v), Bm7/G# (*V7/iii♭), Bm7/G (*V7/v), E minor (i), G major (III), E minor (i), F# major (II), B minor (v), Bm7/A (*V7/V/v), G#m7 (ivm7 of E), Bm7/G (*V7/v), E minor (i), G major (III), E minor (i), F# major (II), B minor (v), Bm7/A (*V7/V/v), G minor (*bIII), D/F# (II6 in Em and V6 in G), A major (*IV) [or V in Dm], G minor (*bIII), D major (*Ton), E minor (i), B minor (v), F#sus4 (IVsus4 of Bm), F# minor (*iv in Em or iv in Bm), E minor (i), F# major (II), B minor (v), Bm7/A (*V7/V/v), Bm7/G# (*V7/iii♭), Bm7/G (*V7/v), E minor (i), G major (III), E minor (i), F# major (II), B minor (v), Bm7/A (*V7/V/v), G minor (*bIII), D/F# (II6 in Em and V6 in G), A major (*IV) [or V in Dm], G minor (*bIII), D major (*Ton).

`*` denotes borrowed chords or chords with tension notes.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – Paranoid Android:
[Am (i), D7 (*IV), G (♭VII), C (III), Bm7 (*iv), E (V_II), Am (i), D7 (*IV), G7 (♭VII_dim)]

2. The Beatles – Something:
[C (I), Cmaj7, C7 (*V), F (IV), D (*VII), G (*III), G7 (*III_dim), A (*VI), C#7 (*V_III), F#m (III), F#m7, B7 (V)]

Note that these similar progressions feature a mix of diatonic and non-diatonic chords. They also use secondary dominants and borrowed chords, indicative of the rock music genre’s experimental harmony.

Musical Analysis

The chorus consists of a mix of diatonic, modal interchange, and secondary dominant chords. Some chords create tension, which then resolves to the subsequent chords. For example, F#sus4 to F# major represents a suspended chord resolved by the major chord.

Muse also uses descending chromatic bass motion in Bm7/A, Bm7/G#, and Bm7/G. This technique adds tension and movement throughout the chorus, a common element in rock music.

Overall Analysis

The chorus of “Hate This And I’ll Love You” by Muse features a highly chromatic and non-diatonic chord progression, with a myriad of borrowed chords and some distinctive rock sound. The key within which the progression is based seems to shift between E minor and B minor, with a mixture of Major and minor chords throughout.

Style Analysis

Muse often employs a mix of classical harmonic techniques and rock-inspired rhythmic elements. This progression includes chromaticism, some modal interchange, and various tensions that create a sense of variety and unpredictability, an approach characteristic of their music.

Chords in the Chorus section of Hate This And Ill Love You by Muse are:

Em, Bm, F#sus4, F#, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Bm7/G#, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, G#m7, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Gm, D/F#, A, Gm, D, Em, Bm, F#sus4, F#m, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Bm7/G#, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Gm, D/F#, A, Gm, D