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“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.

“Heart Is A Drum” by Beck is primarily a folk and indie rock song that features an interesting harmonic structure in the Hook 2. The progression adds complexity and emotional depth to the song by diverging from the standard conventions of Western popular music. The chord progression includes a borrowed chord, which adds richness to the overall sound.

The chord progression in the outro of “Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead utilizes some common and some less common harmonic devices. The piece employs diatonic chords with some added extensions, giving a sense of tension and release. Furthermore, the progression is in the key of A major, which contributes to the overall tonality and harmonic structure.

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 chord progression in the outro of “Earfquake” by Tyler, The Creator is relatively simple and repetitive, featuring a constant alternation between Bbmaj7 and Am7 chords. This back-and-forth between the two chords creates a sense of tension and release that contributes to the dreamy and emotional atmosphere characteristic of the song.

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