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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Beck’s “Say Goodbye” showcases a unique blend of chords that are not commonly heard together in popular music. The mix of major, minor, and borrowed chords creates an interesting and engaging sound. Its distinctive quality can be found in the use of the A# major chord, which is not diatonic to the key of G major.

“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 chord progression in the chorus of Tyler, The Creator’s “See You Again” exhibits a combination of diatonic and chromatic movements, with the use of borrowed chords and altered dominants that create tension and release. The song is in the key of F# major.

The song “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails mainly consists of a six-chord progression (Bm, G, D, A, Bm, G), repeating four times in the chorus. The sixth repetition alters the ending (Bm, G, A, B), and the key of the song is B Minor.

“Idioteque” by Radiohead is an experimental and atmospheric electronic song, released on the album “Kid A” in 2000. The chord progression of the chorus is fairly simple, yet features some distinctive chords which create a sense of tension and release. It incorporates modal mixture and chromatic mediants, which are typical elements found in Radiohead’s music.

Beck – Say Goodbye – Chorus

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Chord Progression

G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C

Chord Progression Analysis

G Major (I), A# Major (bIII), A Minor (ii), C Major (IV)

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Borrowed Chord: A# Major (bIII)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Creep” [‘G’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘Cm’]
G Major (I), B Major (III), C Major (IV), C Minor (iv)

2. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” [‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘C#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘G’]
A Minor (i), G Major (VII), A Minor (i), G Major (VII), A Minor (i), C# Minor (iii), F# Minor (vi), G Major (VII)

While the chord progressions in these songs are not identical to that in “Say Goodbye,” they share some similarities in terms of creating tension and contrast through the use of borrowed or non-diatonic chords. In “Creep,” the Cm (iv) chord provides a similar effect as the borrowed A# Major chord in “Say Goodbye.” In “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” the non-diatonic C#m (iii) and F#m (vi) chords provide a similar sense of tension and resolution within the progression.

Musical Analysis

The progression begins with the I chord (G Major), establishing the tonal center of G. It then moves to the borrowed bIII chord (A# Major), which adds a touch of unexpected chromaticism and, in the context of G major, provides a sense of tension before resolving to the more diatonic ii chord (A Minor). The progression then moves to the IV chord (C Major), which creates a sense of resolution, though not as strongly as returning to the I chord would have. This cycle repeats four times, providing a sense of familiarity and continuity within the chorus. The contrast between the chromatic A# and the more familiar diatonic chords within the progression contributes to the song’s overall emotional impact and memorability.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the chorus of “Say Goodbye” by Beck features a simple, yet unique combination of major and minor chords. It is primarily built around the key of G major, but includes a chromatic twist with the inclusion of the A# major chord. The progression is fairly repetitive, which provides a stable and recognizable backbone for the chorus.

Style Analysis

This chord progression appears to have influences from a range of genres, including pop, rock, and folk. The mix of major and minor chords, as well as the inclusion of a borrowed chord, creates an interesting tension between brightness and darkness, a common feature in many of Beck’s songs. The use of chromaticism and borrowing chords from parallel keys can also be seen as an element of experimentation, which is often present in alternative and indie music.

Chords in the Chorus section of Say Goodbye by Beck are:

G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C, G, A#, Am, C