Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Time” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock song from their iconic album, The Dark Side of the Moon (1973). The listed chords form the harmonic basis of the chorus section. The harmony is characterized by diatonic major seventh chords, interspersed with a few borrowed chords. The chorus features a fluctuating major/minor tonality, giving the song an emotional and contemplative feel.

“Another Brick In The Wall Part 2” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album “The Wall.” It is a rock song with elements of funk and progressive rock, featuring a catchy guitar riff, memorable bassline, and a guitar solo. The song is characterized by its anti-establishment message and satirical lyrics about the educational system, and it explores themes of isolation and conformity. The music provides a strong foundation for the message, with a somewhat ominous tone that complements the lyrics’ dark subject matter.

“Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones is performed in the key of G major. However, the initial chord progression beginning on B minor gives it a modal feel, specifically borrowing chords from G Lydian mode (IV of D Major). It’s an interesting mixture of folky rock with a touch of the blues, and the chord progression is largely based around the typical I-IV-V progression found in many rock songs, but with many deviations and additions.

Key: G Major

“Zombie” by The Cranberries is in the key of E minor. Its structure is generally pop and rock, with the power of distorted guitars and a heavy drumbeat complemented by Dolores O’Riordan’s haunting vocals. It utilizes a four-chord progression, which is common in many pop and rock tracks and has been a popular choice amongst songwriters for its simplicity and versatility.

“Dont Stop Me Now” by Queen has a key of F major. The song takes you on a journey of a unique blend of chords and progression. Freddie Mercury and the entire band are known for their diverse songwriting abilities, apparent in ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’. The chord progression in Verse 2 hints a story-telling stalwart of pop music production – the major-to-relative-minor movement (I to vi), with some interesting additions of minor seven, major seven and diminished seventh chords, giving it a more sophisticated feel.

Pink Floyd – Time – Verse 2

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

F#m, A, E, F#m, F#m, A, E, F#m, Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, C#m7, Bm, Bm7, F/B

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
F#m (vi),
A (I),
E (IV),
F#m (vi),
F#m (vi),
A (I),
E (IV),
F#m (vi),
Dmaj7 (♭VII),
Amaj7 (IV),
Dmaj7 (♭VII),
Amaj7 (IV),
Dmaj7 (♭VII),
C#m7 (iii7),
Bm (ii),
Bm7 (ii7),
F/B (♭II/♮4)
“`

Borrowed Chord:

“`
Dmaj7 (♭VII)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
“`
Bm (i),
A (♭VII),
E (IV),
G (♭III),
F# (V),
D (♭VII),
Bm (i),
G (♭III),
F#/E (♭VII/III)
“`

2. The Beatles – “Strawberry Fields Forever”
“`
E (I),
Em (i),
A (IV),
C (♭VI),
F#m (ii),
G (III),
D (V),
E (I)
“`

While these chord progressions are not identical to the one in “Time,” they share some similarities in their use of borrowed chords, unconventional harmonies, and shifting tonalities, adding intrigue and complexity to their respective songs.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression begins with a sequence of F#m-A-E-F#m, creating a 6-1-4 motion, which can be seen as a sequence of resolutions and suspensions. This sequence is followed by a change in tonality with the borrowed chord Dmaj7 (♭VII) from F# Mixolydian mode which adds a sense of surprise and uncertainty. The progression proceeds to alternate between Dmaj7 (♭VII) and Amaj7 (IV), two major chords a whole step apart, creating a sense of tension. Finally, the progression moves through C#m7, Bm, Bm7, and the unexpected F/B chord (♭II/♮4). The use of the root F instead of the expected F# introduces tension, further contributing to the emotional complexity of the song.

Overall Analysis

“Time” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock song that features an uncommon chord progression with some unique harmonic choices. The Verse 2 progression has a strong sense of tonal ambiguity and the chords often fluctuate between major and minor tonalities. This contributes to the emotional depth and complexity of the song, which is characteristic of Pink Floyd’s music.

Style Analysis

The somewhat unconventional chord progression, combined with the alternating major and minor tonalities, is typical of Pink Floyd’s progressive rock style. Their innovative approach to harmony and unusual chord progressions is a defining aspect of their music, adding to their unique sound and exploring different emotional and sonic landscapes.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Time by Pink Floyd are:

F#m, A, E, F#m, F#m, A, E, F#m, Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, C#m7, Bm, Bm7, F/B