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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in the hook of Beck’s “Heart Is A Drum” is in the key of C major and follows a strong diatonic harmonic structure, with the exception of the Dm7, which acts as a borrowed chord from the parallel minor (C minor). The progression exudes a feeling of longing and nostalgia, typical of many popular songs in the indie-folk genre.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Say Goodbye” by Beck features a simple, yet unique combination of major and minor chords. It is primarily built around the key of G major, but includes a chromatic twist with the inclusion of the A# major chord. The progression is fairly repetitive, which provides a stable and recognizable backbone for the chorus.

“The Long And Winding Road” by The Beatles presents us with a classic example of their innovative approach to harmony and composition. Drawing from various sources of influence, the song incorporates elements of traditional pop ballad form with a hint of the Baroque harmonic palette. This song is an excellent study in complex harmony and modulation within a pop music context, a trait that underpins much of The Beatles’ later work.

“I Am The Walrus” is a composition by The Beatles in which the song varies in key and progressive elements, with fascinating uses of borrowed chords from parallel modes and chromatic bass motion. The melody resides predominantly within a pentatonic framework, frequently rotating around subversions. The Bridge section beautifully showcases Beatles’ experimentation with descending chord progression built around chromatic movement.

The chord progression of “Get You” by Daniel Caesar is intriguing and rich. The progression has a smooth, soulful sound with interesting uses of borrowed chords that add an alluring complexity to the song.

Beck – Heart Is A Drum – Bridge

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Chord Progression

G, Dm7, F, G, Dm7, F, C

Chord Progression Analysis

G Major (I), D minor 7 (v7), F Major (♭VII), G Major (I), D minor 7 (v7), F Major (♭VII), C Major (IV)

Borrowed Chord:
`D minor 7 (v7)`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “High and Dry” (Verse): [‘F’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘A#’, ‘C’]
F Major (I), G Major (II), A minor (iii), F Major (I), G Major (II), B♭ Major (♭IV), C Major (V)

2. The Beatles – “Here, There and Everywhere” (Verse): [‘G’, ‘Bm7’, ‘E♭’, ‘Gb’, ‘G’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G’]
G Major (I), B minor 7 (iii7), E♭ Major (♭VI), G♭ Major (♭I), G Major (I), D minor 7 (v7), G Major (I)

These examples also feature a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, as well as primary and secondary chords, creating an intriguing harmonic landscape. They showcase the versatility of popular music and how mixing chord types can evoke emotions and create interesting progressions.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression begins with the I chord (G Major) as the tonic, establishing the key center for the bridge. The second chord introduces a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key, G minor, which is the v7 (D minor 7). This adds some emotional color and unexpectedness to the progression.

Following the borrowed chord, we have a ♭VII (F Major), another non-diatonic chord that’s common in popular music. It moves back to the I chord (G Major), re-establishing the tonal center. The next two chords, Dm7 and F Major, are a repetition of the v7 and ♭VII respectively, reinforcing the pattern. The progression then concludes with the IV chord (C Major), often used in popular music as a pre-dominant chord that leads back to the tonic.

Overall Analysis

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).

Style Analysis

This chord progression is present in the bridge of the song, which often seeks to provide a contrast to the verses and choruses in many popular music styles. The use of borrowed chords and non-diatonic chords adds a level of sophistication compared to a standard diatonic progression. The mixture of major and minor chords also provides a balance between happiness and melancholy, which is characteristic of Beck’s writing style.

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

G, Dm7, F, G, Dm7, F, C