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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression of “Say Goodbye” by Beck uses a combination of diatonic and borrowed chords within the key of G major. The verse features a total of 8 chords: G major, A# major, A minor, and C major. The use of a borrowed chord (A# major) adds an interesting twist to the progression and provides a unique color to the harmony.

The chord progression throughout this verse of Beck’s “Lost Cause” is predominantly in the key of F Major with some chords from its relative minor (D minor). The use of borrowed chords adds variety and color to the progression, and the alternation between F major and C major chords creates a strong sense of tonality and grounding in the key of F Major. The use of Am and E7 chords provides a brief tension and leaning toward the parallel key of F minor before resolving back to the original key. This adds interest and complexity to the otherwise straightforward progression.

The outro of “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix uses a descending circle of fifths chord progression, which is a very common progression in many styles of music, particularly in the Baroque period and in blues-based rock music. The progression features a steady descent through the Circle of Fifths that creates a strong sense of harmony and resolution. In this context, Jimi Hendrix uses the progression to create tension and momentum, which is appropriate for an outro section.

The Outro of “Exit Music (For a Film)” by Radiohead features a striking and emotive chord progression that showcases their innovative approach to harmony. It is characterized by the use of irregular modal interchanges, sustained chords, and slight variations on repeating patterns.

“Rocket Man” by Elton John is primarily in the key of Bb minor (the verses and chorus), but its outro transposes to the key of C Major, which gives a sensation of resolution. The chord progression in the Outro is a simple two-chord progression (I – V), which is extremely common in all styles of music and impacts the listener with its familiarity and stability.

Beck – Say Goodbye – Outro

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

G major (I) – A# major (bIII) – A minor (ii) – C major (IV) – G major (I) – A# major (bIII) – A minor (ii) – C major (IV)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Creep” (key of G major)

G major (I) – B major (III) – C major (IV) – C minor (iv)

The borrowed chord in this song is the B major, which is a major III chord, and borrowed from the parallel minor key. This creates a similar tension and release as in “Say Goodbye,” but with a different chromatic approach.

2. The Beatles – “Something” (key of C major)

C major (I) – Eb major (bIII) – A minor (vi) – F major (IV)

Here, the borrowed chord is the Eb major (bIII). The progression features a similar chromatic move with the addition of the borrowed chord as in “Say Goodbye.”

While these progressions are not exactly the same, each features a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key, enhancing the emotional and harmonic complexity of the piece.

Note that it is tricky to find other progressions that match Beck’s “Say Goodbye” progression directly – this is mainly because the particular choice of the borrowed bIII chord adds a unique touch that may not be commonly found in other songs.

Musical Analysis

The progression starts with the tonic chord, G major, establishing the key. It then moves to the borrowed chord, A# major, which functions as a bIII chord. This chord is borrowed from the parallel minor key (G minor), introducing a chromatic element to the progression.

The next chord, A minor, is diatonic to the key of G major and functions as a ii chord. Moving to A minor after the A# major chord creates a smooth chromatic descent from the A# to the A.

The progression then moves to the C major chord, which is the IV chord in G major. This progression (ii-IV) is a fairly common subdominant expansion in pop music.

The overall progression (I-bIII-ii-IV) creates tension and release with the borrowed chord, A#, providing the tension, and the resolution happening through the transition from A minor to C major.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the outro of Beck’s “Say Goodbye” is an interesting combination of diatonic and chromatic elements. The use of the borrowed chord A# major in the mostly diatonic setting adds an unexpected twist to the progression, creating a unique and expressive harmonic landscape.

Style Analysis

Although the progression is nontraditional, it can be seen that Beck’s “Say Goodbye” works with elements from pop, rock, and folk music. The unexpected harmonic twist provided by the borrowed chord (A# major) creates a unique sound, adding an innovative and tasteful touch to the piece.

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

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