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The bridge of Beck’s “Think I’m In Love” is an interesting combination of chords, showcasing unusual harmonic choices and unexpected modulations. The tonal center of this progression appears to be ambiguous, as several key centers are explored throughout the progression, creating a sense of harmonic tension and release.

The chord progression in the verse 2 of Beck’s “Morning” is an example of a common progression in popular music, involving the I, IV, iii, and ii chords. The harmony is mostly diatonic, staying within the key of E major. The progression features regular 4-chord phrases and a smooth, consonant flow between chords.

“Penny Lane,” written by the Beatles, utilizes key changes and borrowed chords to create an interesting and complex tonal palette. The song is best understood to primarily be in the key of A Major; however, it frequently borrows chords from the parallel minor key, uses unexpected dominant chords, and briefly modulates to other key areas for color and variety. This is characteristic of several Beatles songs, and it’s one of the ways they added complexity to their music while still remaining accessible.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Nude” by Radiohead features a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, with some added tensions for additional color. It reflects the band’s signature style of blending unexpected harmonic elements to create a unique and evocative sound. In particular, the mix of major and minor chords with added tensions lends a sense of both familiarity and unconventionality to the progression.

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, is characterized by a lush, cinematic melody that encapsulates John’s knack for crafting pop ballad choruses. Its base key is D Major, showcasing a mix of diatonic, dominant seventh, and borrowed chords. Its diverse chord progression is reflective of Elton John’s diverse influences, which include pop, rock, blues, and classical music.

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)

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