Music Theory Alchemy

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The chord progression in Muse’s “Feeling Good” is in the key of G minor and showcases an interesting and creative use of borrowed chords and inversions. The progression follows a cyclical pattern that creates tension and release throughout the verse. The style is reminiscent of soul and jazz influences with a hint of rock elements, which is a common characteristic in Muse’s music.

The given chord progression belongs to the verse 2 of the song “Apocalypse Please” by Muse. This progression reflects the band’s signature style that combines elements of rock, classical, and electronic music. The chords follow a pattern that combines both diatonic and chromatic movement, creating a dramatic and intense feel. A unique feature in this progression is the use of slash chords, which adds further harmonic interest.

“Start Me Up” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock song that utilizes a common I-IV chord progression primarily in the key of D major. Like many rock songs from their era, the arrangement is simple yet effective, designed to showcase the strong rhythm and melody rather than complex harmonies.

“Your Song” by Elton John is an iconic pop ballad featuring a piano-driven accompaniment. Harmonically, the song displays rich and varied chord progressions within key of D major, though with a significant usage of borrowed chords and alterations that contribute to a unique and expressive harmonic language. There is a classical and cinematic air about this song establishing it as a flagship Elton John classic.

The song “Penny Lane” written by the Beatles is in the key of A major. The structure of Verse 4, specifically, has a very effective use of both diatonic (belonging naturally to the key) and borrowed chords (taken from a different key or mode). They have incorporated secondary dominants, pivot modulation, and modal interchange which reflect their knowledge of musical theory and compositional skills.

Muse – Feeling Good – Verse 4

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Chord Progression

Gm, Gm/F, Eb, D, Gm, Gm/F, Eb, D, Gm, Gm/F, C/E, Cm/Eb

Chord Progression Analysis

G Minor (i), G Minor/F (‘i’ over VII), E-flat Major (VI), D Major (‘V/V’), G Minor (i), G Minor/F (‘i’ over VII), E-flat Major (VI), D Major (‘V/V’), G Minor (i), G Minor/F (‘i’ over VII), C Major/E (IV/VI), C Minor/E-flat (iv/VI)

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‘V/V’ borrowed chord: D Major
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana: F Minor (i), B-flat Major (IV), A-flat Major (bIII), D-flat Major (bVI)
2. “Creep” by Radiohead: G Major (‘III’), B Major (IV), C Major (V), C Minor (v)
3. “All Along The Watchtower” by Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix: C# Minor (i), B Major (VII), A Major (VI), B Major (VII)

The songs listed above share similarities in their use of borrowed chords, unusual chord progressions and alternation between major and minor tonalities within the same progression, creating a sense of tension and release.

Musical Analysis

In the progression, there is a consistent alternation between the tonic G Minor chord and a G Minor chord over F in the bass, which represents a borrowed chord from the parallel major, acting as a minor plagal cadence to emphasize the minor tonality. The E-flat Major chord functions as the submediant, while the D Major chord, which is a borrowed chord, acts as the secondary dominant chord leading back to the tonic.

The use of the C Major/E and C Minor/E-flat chords at the end of the progression provides a subtle shift from a major to minor quality, creating a sense of harmonic instability before resolving back to the tonic G Minor chord.

Overall Analysis

“Feeling Good” by Muse is a cover of the original song written by English composers Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley in 1964. The Muse version was released in 2001 and is featured on their second studio album, “Origin of Symmetry.” The song is heavily influenced by the genres of jazz, soul, and R&B, while the Muse rendition adds a more modern rock sound to the mix.

Style Analysis

“Feeling Good” is a fusion of different musical styles, drawing upon jazz, soul, R&B, and rock. Muse’s version, in particular, adds a modern rock flavor, characterized by the powerful vocals of lead singer Matt Bellamy, heavy guitar riffs, and dynamic percussion. The use of borrowed chords and the emphasis on minor tonality contributes to the unique and creative harmonic landscape of the song.

Chords in the Verse 4 section of Feeling Good by Muse are:

Gm, Gm/F, Eb, D, Gm, Gm/F, Eb, D, Gm, Gm/F, C/E, Cm/Eb