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“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.

The chord progression in the hook of Beck’s “Heart Is A Drum” is in the key of C major and follows a strong diatonic harmonic structure, with the exception of the Dm7, which acts as a borrowed chord from the parallel minor (C minor). The progression exudes a feeling of longing and nostalgia, typical of many popular songs in the indie-folk genre.

** The song “Jolene” by Dolly Parton sports a simple yet effective chord progression. The entire song is in the key of C major / A minor (they share the same key signature), with a clear preference for the darker minor tones over the light major tones. This song is a great example of the use of simple chord structures and progressions to evoke emotive sensations.

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“3 Libras Acoustic Live” by A Perfect Circle revolves around a rock ballad style with an alternative rock genre. It features distinctive chord progressions and some borrowing from outside of the primary key. The harmonic progression in the chorus is relatively simple but contributes to the melancholic and introspective atmosphere of the song.

“Creep” by Radiohead is an alternative rock song in the key of G major, with a somewhat melancholic tone. The chord progression used is iconic, and it heavily relies on borrowed chords to create tension and resolution in the harmony. This use of chords creates a distinct sound that has become synonymous with the song.

Beck – Think Im In Love – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Ab, Eb, F, Ab, Eb, F

Chord Progression Analysis

Ab Major (I) – Eb Major (V) – F Major (♭VI) – Ab Major (I) – Eb Major (V) – F Major (♭VI)

F Major is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor scale (Ab minor) ♭VI

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Let It Be”

C Major (I) – G Major (V) – A minor (vi) – F Major (IV) – C Major (I) – G Major (V) – F Major (IV)

2. The Rolling Stones – “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”

C Major (I) – F Major (IV) – G Major (V) – C Major (I) – F Major (IV) – G Major (V)

In both of these examples, the featured artists also use variations of the I-IV-V chord progression, which is a classic pattern within pop/rock music, but they have their unique twists to make the progression their own.

Musical Analysis

The use of the I-IV-V structure in the progression rooted in Ab major is a very common and familiar musical theme found in many styles of music, particularly in pop and rock music. By substituting the expected V chord (in this case, Eb major) with a borrowed chord (F major) from the parallel minor key, the progression adds a sense of harmonic surprise. This borrowed chord provides a smooth transition back to the I chord (Ab major), despite the harmonic differences, resulting in a pleasing resolution with some unexpected twists.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the chorus of Beck’s “Think I’m In Love” is a fairly simple one that revolves around two key centers, Ab major and Eb major. The main chords used are based on the I-IV-V structure which is common in rock and pop music. It features a major I-IV relationship and an unexpected chord, F major, which adds some harmonic interest.

Style Analysis

Beck is known for his eclectic style, incorporating various genres and techniques into his music. In “Think I’m In Love,” he seems to be drawing inspiration from 60s-70s pop/rock traditions which frequently used I-IV-V chord progressions. However, as mentioned earlier, the F major chord adds an element of harmonic intrigue that can be attributed to Beck’s creative and distinctive sound.

Chords in the Chorus section of Think Im In Love by Beck are:

Ab, Eb, F, Ab, Eb, F