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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in the riff from Muse’s “New Born” is intriguing and creative, employing chromaticism and non-diatonic chords to create a unique and dramatic sound. The progression consists of four chords: C, A#dim7, Bsus4, and B. This progression doesn’t adhere to a single key, making it difficult to analyze in terms of functional harmony. However, it showcases Muse’s experimental tendencies, a quintessential aspect of their music style.

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.

Prince’s “Purple Rain” is a classic power ballad, rooted deeply in pop and rock genres. The chord progressions, with particular emphasis on the one given in Verse 3, underlines Prince’s lyricism and craft, showcasing his unique ability to blend seemingly simple chord progressions to evoke emotional and profound moods. The key of the song is G major.

“Creep” by Radiohead is a song in the key of G major that gained significant attention for its melancholic lyrics and distinctive chord progression. The verse chord progression features major chords, followed by a switch to a minor chord, which creates an unexpected twist and contributes to the emotive quality of the song. This specific progression is relatively rare in popular music but has been used in various other songs.

“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley is a popular and iconic song that showcases Jeff Buckley’s unique vocal talent and emotional delivery. The song is in the key of C major and features a simple yet effective chord progression. The song’s memorable melody is accompanied by guitar, which uses arpeggiated fingerpicking. This adds to its musical depth and also creates dynamic rhythmic interest. The song builds in intensity as it progresses, and this, along with the powerful lyrics, contributes to the overall emotional impact of the piece.

Muse – New Born – Verse 3

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Chord Progression

Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G

Chord Progression Analysis

Em (i), B (V), Em (i), B (V), Em (i), C (VI), G (III), B (V),
Em (i), B (V), Em (i), B (V), Em (i), C (VI), G (III), B (V),
Em (i), B (V), Em (i), B (V), Em (i), C (VI), G (III), B (V),
Em (i), B (V), Em (i), B (V), Em (i), C (VI), G (III)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Karma Police”
Am (i), Em (v), G (VII), D (iv), C (III), G (VII), Bm (i), Em (v)

2. The Cranberries – “Zombie”
Em (i), C (VI), G (III), D (IV)

3. Nirvana – “Come As You Are”
Em (i), G (III), F# (II), A (iv)

These songs share a similar sense of tension and release in their chord progressions, often using a combination of minor and major chords to create a sense of dynamics and urgency. While each song has its unique take on harmony and progression, they all showcase the stylistic similarities between alternative rock and progressive rock compositions.

Musical Analysis

The progression consists mainly of alternating Em (i) and B (V) chords, a common minor key movement that emphasizes the i-V relationship. This progression creates a sense of tension that drives the harmonic structure. The addition of the C (VI) and G (III) chords provides a moment of relief, creating more interest in the progression. These chords also appear in the relative major key of G, helping bring a sense of balance between the dark and brighter sides of the progression.

Overall Analysis

Muse’s “New Born” is a rock composition with progressive and alternative elements. The harmonic structure is simple, making use of common chords and progressions. In the given chord progression from Verse 3, there is a sense of tension and release between the major and minor chords, creating a sense of dynamics and urgency. The chord progression itself is repetitive, with subtle variations added to keep interest.

Style Analysis

Muse often incorporates elements of progressive rock and alternative rock in their music, and “New Born” is no exception. The simple yet effective chord progression emphasizes the distinction between major and minor chords, a hallmark of both progressive and alternative rock genres. Furthermore, the use of driving bass lines and complex drum patterns adds to the sense of depth and tension in the piece.

Chords in the Verse 3 section of New Born by Muse are:

Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G