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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Heart Is A Drum” by Beck, from the album Morning Phase (2014), features a simple but effective chord progression in the key of C major. This song can be classified as alternative folk rock, and the harmonies used in the chord progression are quite common in this genre, as well as popular music in general. The progression creates a sense of nostalgia and emotional resonance, elevated by Beck’s lyricism and vocal delivery.

The bridge of Beck’s “Heart Is A Drum” features a mixture of diatonic chords and borrowed chords. This creates a sense of continuous flow, which is commonly found in many popular music songs. The progression contains primary chords (G, C, and F) and a secondary chord (Dm7).

“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.

The key of the song is D major which makes it easier to analyze the chord progression according to the diatonic scale in the key of D Major.

The song “Let It Happen” by Tame Impala, which is in the key of A Major, uses a simple yet effective chord progression during its outro. The common pattern of I-vi-IIIIV (Major-minor-Suspended 4) recurs throughout. The G#sus4 chord provides a moment of tension before resolving back to the tonic and restarting the pattern. The progression concludes with an Emaj7 chord, which is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor.

Beck – Heart Is A Drum – Outro

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Chord Progression

Eb6sus2, Dm7, C, Eb6sus2, Dm7, C, Eb6sus2, Dm7, C, Dm7, G

Chord Progression Analysis

`E♭6sus2 (bVI6sus2) | Dm7 (v7) | C (IV) | E♭6sus2 (bVI6sus2) | Dm7 (v7) | C (IV) | E♭6sus2 (bVI6sus2) | Dm7 (v7) | C (IV) | Dm7 (v7) | G (V)`

Borrowed Chord:
`E♭6sus2 (bVI6sus2)`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Exit Music (For a Film)”: `Cm (i) | E♭ (III) | G (V) | Am7 (iv7)`
2. Sufjan Stevens – “Casimir Pulaski Day”: `G (I) | E♭ (bVI) | Cm (iv) | G (I)`
3. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”: `Am (i) | A (I) | C#m (iii) | C#m7 (iii7) | F#m (vi) | G (VII) | E (III)`

Note that these chord progressions may not have the same exact flow and structure as “Heart Is A Drum,” but they share a similar use of borrowed chords, mixture of major and minor chords, and emotional depth.

Musical Analysis

The outro of “Heart Is A Drum” starts with the borrowed chord E♭6sus2, which creates a sense of tension and emotional depth. This chord is followed by Dm7 and C major chords, which give a sense of familiarity within the context of the key. The sequence E♭6sus2 – Dm7 – C is repeated three times, contributing to a cyclical, contemplative atmosphere. The section concludes with a Dm7 to G major, which provides a final sense of tension before resolving back to the overall key of the song.

Overall Analysis

The outro of “Heart Is A Drum” by Beck features a non-diatonic chord progression that includes a mixture of major, minor, and suspended chords. This chord progression results in a sense of longing and unresolved tension that is appropriate for an outro section. Additionally, the progression includes a borrowed chord, the Eb6sus2, which is borrowed from the parallel minor key and contributes to the unique, emotional quality of the song.

Style Analysis

Beck’s “Heart Is A Drum” is characterized by its introspective, contemplative mood. The featured non-diatonic chord progression, combined with the use of a borrowed chord, showcases Beck’s ability to evoke complex emotions through his music. The presence of major, minor, and suspended chords, along with the repetition of the main chord progression, creates a sense of unresolved tension and longing that is fitting for an outro section.

Chords in the Outro section of Heart Is A Drum by Beck are:

Eb6sus2, Dm7, C, Eb6sus2, Dm7, C, Eb6sus2, Dm7, C, Dm7, G