Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” is a complex and somewhat unconventional progression. It primarily features chords from the E natural minor scale, with some borrowed chords from the parallel E major scale. The progression creates an atmospheric and moody soundscape that is characteristic of Pink Floyd’s music, especially in their album “Wish You Were Here.” It also displays a certain level of sophistication in the harmony which underscores Pink Floyd’s musical depth.

The chorus of the Pink Floyd song “Breathe” features a mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords and creates a dreamy, spaced-out mood. The combination of major and minor seventh chords, as well as dominant 7th chords with altered 9ths, contributes to this atmospheric quality.

The outro of Beck’s song “Morning” features a beautiful and interesting chord progression in the key of E major. This progression has a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords that creates an evocative sonority and dreamy atmosphere, fitting seamlessly with the rest of the song.

The chord progression in the outro of Weezer’s “Undone – The Sweater Song” follows a repeating pattern with a combination of major and power chords. The overall key of the progression is G major, and the chords follow a predictable pattern that is rooted in rock and alternative music styles. The chord progression uses borrowed chords from the parallel key of G minor, specifically the B♭ major chord.

“When Doves Cry” by Prince features an unorthodox chord progression compared to many pop or rock songs from the era. The chord progression in the Outro as well as throughout the song remains constant, which underscores the plaintive mood of the song and lyrics. The progression: Em – F – G in the Outro contains borrowed chords from the parallel minor. This introduces a sense of ambiguity to the overall tonality.

Pink Floyd – Welcome To The Machine – Outro

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

Em

Chord Progression Analysis

The chord progression in the outro is very simple, consisting of only one chord:
Em (‘i’)

Since there is only one chord in this progression, there are no borrowed chords.

Similar Chord Progressions

While single-chord songs are not very common, here are some examples of other songs that feature a repeating single chord throughout:

1. The Beatles – “Tomorrow Never Knows”
Chord progression: C Major (‘I’)

2. The Velvet Underground – “Heroin”
Chord progression: D Major / D5 (‘I’)

3. Neil Young – “Dead Man Theme”
Chord progression: Dm (‘i’)

4. Brian Eno – “1/1” (from “Ambient 1: Music for Airports”)
Chord progression: F#m (‘i’)

Please note that these songs may not have the same progression throughout the entire piece but showcase prominent sections with a single chord as their basis.

Musical Analysis

The outro’s single-chord repetition establishes a hypnotic, drone-like quality, which is enhanced by various ambient soundscapes and textures. This evokes a sense of being lost or trapped in the machine, with no resolution or escape. The use of a minor chord (Em) gives a melancholic and unsettling feel, further adding to the oppressive atmosphere of the track.

Overall Analysis

“Welcome to the Machine” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock piece that features a rather minimalistic chord progression, with only one chord during the outro. The piece is characterized by its lush soundscape, synthesizer layering, and the use of sound effects to create an atmosphere of a mechanized world.

Style Analysis

As a progressive rock band, Pink Floyd is known for their experimental and innovative approach to music making, blending various styles and genres. “Welcome to the Machine” showcases their affinity for electronic music, with the extensive use of synthesizers and sound manipulation. The minimalistic chord progression reflects their willingness to step away from the conventional rock and pop templates, allowing them to create something more atmospheric and evocative.

Chords in the Outro section of Welcome To The Machine by Pink Floyd are:

Em