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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Heart Is A Drum” by Beck is a simple, yet emotional and effective piece, written in the key of C major. The chord progression of the verse revolves around the tonic (C) and the subdominant (Dm7), resulting in a gentle, down-to-earth feel, characteristic of Beck’s folk and alternative music influences.

The chord progression of the chorus in Beck’s “Girl Acoustic” is relatively simple and straightforward, yet effective in creating a memorable and catchy tune. The song is in the key of A major, and the progression maintains a predominantly diatonic harmony.

The song “Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails has a dark and moody atmosphere, characterized by the repetitive chord progression that sets the gloomy tone. This prolific use of chords throughout snippets of the song creates a musical portrait of monotony and disillusion which is reflective of the song’s title and lyrics. Looking at the chords provided from the second verse, this mood is accomplished through the consistent use of minor tonalities and alternation between two power chords – E and C.

The chord progression in question is from the verse 2 of Weezer’s “The Good Life.” It is a pop-rock song in the key of G major, and the progression features common chords found in the key, with one borrowed chord – B7 – to add a touch of tension and harmonic interest.

Chord Progression Analysis (with Roman Numerals):
G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – B7 (`V7/iii`)

The borrowed chord in question is the B7, which is borrowed from the relative minor key (E minor) and functions as a secondary dominant to the iii chord (B minor).

“As Tears Go By” by The Rolling Stones is a popular song from the mid-60s that features a mix of major and minor chords along with modulations between closely related keys. The overall harmonic structure shares similarities with other rock and pop songs of that era, including The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

Base Key and

Beck – Heart Is A Drum – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

C, Dm7, C, C, Dm7, C

Chord Progression Analysis

C Major (I) – Dm7 (ii7) – C Major (I)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles: C Major (I) – G Major (V) – A minor (vi) – F Major (IV)
2. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen: C Major (I) – A minor (vi) – F major (IV) – G major (V) – E minor (iii) – A minor (vi)
3. “Imagine” by John Lennon: C Major (I) – F Major (IV) – C Major (I) – F Major (IV) – G major (V) – F Major (IV) – C Major (I) – E Major (‘V/vi’)

While the specific chord progressions above are not identical to that of “Heart Is A Drum,” they share some similarities in their use of simple major and minor harmonies in establishing an emotional connection with the listener.

Musical Analysis

The progression consists of only two chords: C Major (I) and Dm7 (ii7). It begins with a tonic chord (C major) which establishes the home key. This is followed by a Dm7 chord, which is the ii7 chord in the progression, creating a sense of smoothness and warmth compared to a more traditional ii chord (Dm). The progression then returns to the tonic C major, before repeating. This simple, yet effective structure provides the foundation for the emotional landscape present throughout the song.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

As an alternative folk rock song, “Heart Is A Drum” incorporates elements of both folk and rock styles with its acoustic instrumentation and layered production. The simplicity of the chord progression is reminiscent of traditional folk styles, while the presence of a seventh chord (Dm7) adds an additional layer of harmonic complexity commonly found in popular music.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Heart Is A Drum by Beck are:

C, Dm7, C, C, Dm7, C