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The outro of Beck’s song “Morning” features a beautiful and interesting chord progression in the key of E major. This progression has a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords that creates an evocative sonority and dreamy atmosphere, fitting seamlessly with the rest of the song.

The chord progression in the verse 2 of Beck’s “Morning” is an example of a common progression in popular music, involving the I, IV, iii, and ii chords. The harmony is mostly diatonic, staying within the key of E major. The progression features regular 4-chord phrases and a smooth, consonant flow between chords.

“Tonight, Tonight” by The Smashing Pumpkins is a rock song happy to embrace classical music tropes. An orchestral, string-heavy arrangement propels the song, surrounding the listener with a rich tapestry of sound. The grandiose sound of the full orchestra is bolstered by the band’s dual guitars and Billy Corgan’s characteristic singing.

The chord progression in the verse of Tyler, The Creator’s “Earfquake” is primarily based on a simple alternation between two chords, Bbmaj7 and Am7, with a brief excursion to Gm7 before returning to Am7. The simplicity and repetition of the progression creates a feeling of comfort and stability, while the use of major 7th and minor 7th chords adds a touch of sophistication and smoothness. The progression doesn’t follow a traditional functional harmony, but it effectively supports the melody and the overall vibe of the song.

“Somewhere Only We Know” composed by Keane, is a pop-ballad that is based in the key of A Minor. It makes use of both diatonic and borrowed chords in a modern pop style progression that creates an oscillating feel, with repetition for familiarity and simple melody drawn from the underlying chords.

Beck – Morning – VERSE 1

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Chord Progression

E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m

Chord Progression Analysis

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E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)

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Similar Chord Progressions

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1. Bob Dylan – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
Chord Progression: G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A Minor (ii) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – C Major (IV)

2. Green Day – “21 Guns”
Chord Progression: D Major (I) – A Major (V) – B Minor (vi) – G Major (IV)

3. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
Chord Progression: E Minor (i) – G Major (III) – D Major (VII) – A Major (IV)

These examples share some similarities with the chord progression in “Morning” in that they all make use of simple diatonic chords, have repetitive structures, and exhibit a sense of warmth and familiarity.

Musical Analysis

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The chord progression follows a simple, repetitive pattern that is common in pop and rock music. It has a strong sense of tonality with the E Major chord (I) beginning each cycle. The A Major chord (IV) provides a departure from the tonic and contributes to the sense of resolution when returning to E Major. The G# Minor (vi) and F# Minor (ii) chords both add some tension and emotion to the progression. The fact that there are no borrowed chords or modulations in this particular chord progression maintains a sense of familiarity and simplicity.

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Overall Analysis

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The given chord progression is from the verse of Beck’s song “Morning.” The progression is in the key of E Major and follows a cyclical pattern throughout the verse.

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Style Analysis

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The style of this chord progression is reflective of Beck’s indie/folk-rock sensibilities. The focus on diatonic chords creates a warm, folky feel. Furthermore, this straightforward and repetitive progression is typical of pop, rock, and folk genres, supporting a melodic and/or lyrical focus in the song.

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Chords in the Verse 1 section of Morning by Beck are:

E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m