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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in the chorus of “Paper Tiger” by Beck is an interesting mix of major and minor chords which gives the song a unique and slightly melancholic vibe. While the song is in the key of E major, it contains several chords borrowed from the parallel minor key and features unusual harmonic movement. This creates a sense of tension and release that is characteristic of Beck’s music.

The chord progression of the chorus in Beck’s “Girl Acoustic” is relatively simple and straightforward, yet effective in creating a memorable and catchy tune. The song is in the key of A major, and the progression maintains a predominantly diatonic harmony.

“Disarm” by The Smashing Pumpkins is a piece that showcases a rather common chord progression structure in pop music, but with added embellishments and variations. The featured chords include Dsus, Em7, Cadd9, G, and Dsus/F# with a key signature suggesting that the song is in the key of G major or E minor. The prominent chord in the outro is Dsus which suggests that the song might be interpreted in the D Mixolydian mode. The use of the slash chord (D/F#) diversifies the sound of the progression and adds harmonic richness. This chord progression uses both diatonic and borrowed chords creating a familiar but interesting sound.

“Island in the Sun” by Weezer is in the key of G major and features a simple yet catchy chord progression in its outro. The progression is characterized by its bright, uplifting sound and follows a common pop/rock formula. It also has a nostalgic, summery feel, making it a perfect fit for the song’s title and theme.

“Rocket Man” by Elton John is primarily in the key of Bb minor (the verses and chorus), but its outro transposes to the key of C Major, which gives a sensation of resolution. The chord progression in the Outro is a simple two-chord progression (I – V), which is extremely common in all styles of music and impacts the listener with its familiarity and stability.

Beck – Paper Tiger – Outro

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Chord Progression

E, E7, Bm

Chord Progression Analysis

E Major (I) – E7 (V7/iv) – B minor (iv)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Am (i) – Am/G (i/♭VII) – Am/F♯ (i/♮VI) – Am/G (i/♭VII)

2. Radiohead – “Karma Police”
Am (i) – D7/Ab (V7/iv/v) – G (♭VII) – D (iv)

3. David Bowie – “Space Oddity”
C (I) – E7 (V7/vi) – F (IV) – Fm (iv)

Musical Analysis

The chord progression starts with E Major, establishing the tonic in the key of E Major. Then the E7 chord serves as a secondary dominant, as it is the dominant seventh of the following B minor chord, which is a borrowed minor subdominant (iv) from the parallel minor key, E minor. This borrowed chord adds a sense of tension and surprise, making the progression more interesting.

Overall Analysis

“Paper Tiger” by Beck is a song from his album “Sea Change,” released in 2002. The style of this song is primarily alternative rock, with elements of psychedelia and baroque pop. The outro of “Paper Tiger” features a simple chord progression of E, E7, and Bm, with interesting harmonic techniques, such as secondary dominants and borrowed chords.

Style Analysis

In the context of alternative rock, this chord progression can be seen as simple but effective, with the use of borrowed chords and secondary dominants creating a sense of harmonic tension and release. The progression is reminiscent of other rock and pop songs from the late ’60s and ’70s era, reflecting the influence of psychedelia and baroque pop. Beck is also known for his fondness for musical experimentation, and this chord progression showcases his keen sense of harmony and tonality in his songwriting.

Chords in the Outro section of Paper Tiger by Beck are:

E, E7, Bm