Beck – Heart Is A Drum – Hook
Heart Is A Drum < All Analyses
Chord Progression
G, Dm7, F, C, F, C
Chord Progression Analysis
G Major (I) – Dm7 (v7) – F Major (bVII) – C Major (IV) – F Major (bVII) – C Major (IV)
Borrowed Chord(s):
`Dm7 (v7)`
Similar Chord Progressions
1. Radiohead – “No Surprises”
Chord Progression: F Major (IV) – G Major (V) – C Major (I) – Bb Major (bVII)
2. Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”
Chord Progression: Bb Major (I) – Gm (vi) – Dm (iii) – F major (V)
3. Sufjan Stevens – “Casimir Pulaski Day”
Chord Progression: D Major (I) – G Major (IV) – Bm (vi) – A Major (V)
These songs share a similar use of borrowed chords and a blend of major and minor harmonies, creating a melancholic and introspective mood. While the specific chord progressions may differ, the essence of using unconventional harmonies and exploring the emotions they create is present in all of these examples of other artists’ works.
Musical Analysis
This chord progression features a combination of the tonic (I) chord, G Major, followed by a borrowed chord, Dm7 (v7). Typically, the V chord in the key of G Major would be D Major, but in this case, the minor 7th version, Dm7, is used to create a sense of tension and unpredictability in the harmony. The progression then moves to F Major (bVII), which is another borrowed chord, in this case a modal mixture from the parallel minor key. This adds a bit of color and further enhances the melancholy nature of the song. The progression then moves to prominently feature a IV chord (C Major) and a bVII chord (F Major) that take over the remainder of the section, providing a relaxed and grounded feeling.
Overall Analysis
“Heart Is A Drum” by Beck is a song with a somewhat unconventional chord progression in the hook that features major and minor chords, as well as a borrowed minor chord. It has a melancholic and introspective feeling to it. The style can be associated with the indie folk-pop genre.
Style Analysis
Beck’s “Heart Is A Drum” exhibits a blend of indie folk-pop elements with thoughtful, introspective lyrics, and unconventional harmonies that create a unique sound. The melancholic nature of the chord progression, combined with the delicate instrumentation, stands out in the progression as the borrowed chords add a level of emotional complexity to the song. This contributes to the song’s character and musical interest, as it demonstrates Beck’s ability and intention to experiment with musical conventions in his work.
What are the chords in: Beck – Heart Is A Drum – Hook?
G, Dm7, F, C, F, C
