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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in the verse of Beck’s “Paper Tiger” can be considered a combination of common and non-diatonic chords. The progression moves from a major chord to its dominant 7th and then resolves to the relative minor. Stylistically, this progression is used in rock, pop, and jazz music to create tension and resolution while maintaining a sense of movement or flow.

The provided chord progression is quite simple, with a single chord (F) repeated four times. This type of progression creates a static or stable feel, with no harmonic tension to resolve. This chord progression alone isn’t enough to give a complete musical analysis, as it’s quite minimalistic, and it’s necessary to evaluate the progression in the context of the entire song. However, I can still offer some thoughts on the progression’s possible function, style notes, and similar chord progressions.

“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys is one of their most well-known pieces and a primary example of the sophisticated harmonic writing characteristic of the group’s 1966 “Pet Sounds” record. This piece is particularly designed in the key of A major. The Outro of the song includes the following chords: ‘A’, ‘E/G#’, ‘F#m7’, ‘E/G#’ and many other chords throughout the song with complex chord changes that might not be typical in a pop song, but are characteristic of the band’s sound.

“Beast of Burden,” by The Rolling Stones, a song characterized by a typical rock-pop structure, primarily uses a IV-chord loop in the key of E major. The chord progression in the outro follows a specific sequence: E, to B, to C#m, to A. The return to the E at the end of the progression gives it a circular feel that encourages cohesion.

“Welcome to the Machine” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock piece that features a rather minimalistic chord progression, with only one chord during the outro. The piece is characterized by its lush soundscape, synthesizer layering, and the use of sound effects to create an atmosphere of a mechanized world.

Beck – Paper Tiger – Outro

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Chord Progression

E, E7, Bm

Chord Progression Analysis

E Major (I) – E7 (V7/iv) – B minor (iv)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Am (i) – Am/G (i/♭VII) – Am/F♯ (i/♮VI) – Am/G (i/♭VII)

2. Radiohead – “Karma Police”
Am (i) – D7/Ab (V7/iv/v) – G (♭VII) – D (iv)

3. David Bowie – “Space Oddity”
C (I) – E7 (V7/vi) – F (IV) – Fm (iv)

Musical Analysis

The chord progression starts with E Major, establishing the tonic in the key of E Major. Then the E7 chord serves as a secondary dominant, as it is the dominant seventh of the following B minor chord, which is a borrowed minor subdominant (iv) from the parallel minor key, E minor. This borrowed chord adds a sense of tension and surprise, making the progression more interesting.

Overall Analysis

“Paper Tiger” by Beck is a song from his album “Sea Change,” released in 2002. The style of this song is primarily alternative rock, with elements of psychedelia and baroque pop. The outro of “Paper Tiger” features a simple chord progression of E, E7, and Bm, with interesting harmonic techniques, such as secondary dominants and borrowed chords.

Style Analysis

In the context of alternative rock, this chord progression can be seen as simple but effective, with the use of borrowed chords and secondary dominants creating a sense of harmonic tension and release. The progression is reminiscent of other rock and pop songs from the late ’60s and ’70s era, reflecting the influence of psychedelia and baroque pop. Beck is also known for his fondness for musical experimentation, and this chord progression showcases his keen sense of harmony and tonality in his songwriting.

Chords in the Outro section of Paper Tiger by Beck are:

E, E7, Bm