A Perfect Circle – The Outsider – Verse 1
The Outsider < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘B’, ‘B’, ‘A’, ‘E’, ‘B’, ‘B’, ‘B’, ‘A’, ‘E’]
Chord Progression Analysis
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B Major (‘ii’), B Major (‘ii’), A Major (‘V’), E Major (‘I’), B Major (‘ii’), B Major (‘ii’), A Major (‘V’), E Major (‘I’)
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Similar Chord Progressions
A similar chord progression is used by Tool, a band which also features Maynard James Keenan, in their song “Stinkfist”. The progression Bm-D-A, when transposed to the key of E major, is similar to A Perfect Circle’s progression B-A-E.
Another example is ‘Day Tripper’ by The Beatles where a similar sounding progression is E7-A7-B7 in its main riff, which can be seen as integrated borrowings from minor keys.
Both of these examples feature movement between the second (II) and fifth (V) degree of the scale, similar to the unexpected ii – V movement in “The Outsider”.
Musical Analysis
The chord progression repeats twice in the given verse, starting with the second degree (ii) chord of the scale (B major) which gives the progression an unsettling and unresolved feel. This suspension is resolved by the following V chord (A major) going back to the home chord (I) – E major. Choosing to use A major instead of the expected iv (A minor) reinforces the overall major tonality of the song.
One of the unique aspects of this song is the usage of borrowed chords – chords that are borrowed from the parallel minor of the given key. A part of the song, specifically the chord C Major, is borrowed from E minor.
Overall Analysis
The song “The Outsider” by A Perfect Circle frequently uses the chord progression [‘B’, ‘B’, ‘A’, ‘E’] in the key of E major. When viewing the chords through the lens of E major we can identify the chord progression as ii, ii, V, I. Furthermore, It shows some interesting harmonic decisions throughout. Most notably, the band makes use of borrowed chords which are chords taken from the parallel minor (in this case E minor). Here, the borrowed chords include A major and C major.
Style Analysis
This chord progression is indicative of alternative rock and progressive rock styles, and typical of A Perfect Circle’s music. Choosing to start on the supertonic chord (ii-B major) instead of the tonic allows the band to maintain the overall major tonality of the song while injecting an element of surprise into the progression. This unexpected sound is further amplified by the use of borrowed chords, adding tension and unpredictability to the song.
What are the chords in: A Perfect Circle – The Outsider – Verse 1?
[‘B’, ‘B’, ‘A’, ‘E’, ‘B’, ‘B’, ‘B’, ‘A’, ‘E’]
