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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.

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 bridge of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” features a blend of jazz, R&B, and pop elements. The harmonic progression showcases a series of descending chords, interspersed with borrowed chords that provide an interesting twist to the overall tonality of the piece.

“Creep” by Radiohead is a well-known song that features a fairly simple chord progression in its bridge. The progression is memorable for its fusion of diatonic and chromatic elements, creating a sense of tension and interest.

“Perfect” by The Smashing Pumpkins is written in the key of D major. The song takes a relatively standard and common approach in chord progression, particularly with the cyclical variations that have the onset within a classic pop/rock realm. The tonality and mid-tempo pacing give the song a melancholic and nostalgic tone.

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