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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Paper Tiger” by Beck is a unique and stylistic piece, displaying a blend of various genres and influences. The verse 2 chord progression is quite simple, but the harmonic choices create tension and provide a sense of movement throughout the progression. Combining the elements of rock, folk, and alternative music, this chord progression is both intriguing and musically satisfying.

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 “[‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘D’]” from the outro of Weezer’s “The Good Life” is a simple, yet effective progression in the key of E minor. It demonstrates a melancholic feel common to alternative rock and power-pop music genres of the 1990s. The chords in this progression are borrowed from the E natural minor scale.

The song “3 Libras Acoustic Live” by A Perfect Circle oscillates between an A major and a C# minor structure, with a D major introduced at the end of the progression. The dominant chords are A (represented as Asus2) and C# (represented as C#m). The final D chord can be seen as a modulation, adding a somewhat unexpected resolution that doesn’t adhere to the traditional rules of tonic-dominant resolution in either major or minor keys.

“Think I’m In Love” by Beck is a pop-infused indie rock piece that features an easy-going, catchy melody and a simple yet effective chord progression. The use of repetitive chords throughout the Outro creates a sense of stability and familiarity. The Outro builds upon the tonal center of F Major established earlier in the song and prolongs the tonic, adding to the song’s overall sense of closure and resolution.

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