MGMT – Congratulations – Verse 1
Congratulations < All Analyses
Chord Progression
G, G/F#, Em, Em7, C, C/B, Am, Asus2, Am, G, G/F#, Em, Em7, C, C/B, Am, Asus2, Am, G, G/F#, Em, Em7, C, D, Dsus4
Chord Progression Analysis
G (I) – G/F# (I/ii) – Em (vi) – Em7 (vi7) – C (IV) – C/B (IV/vi) – Am (ii) – Asus2 (ii2)
Am (ii) – G (I) – G/F# (I/ii) – Em (vi) – Em7 (vi7) – C (IV) – C/B (IV/vi) – Am (ii) – Asus2 (ii2)
Am (ii) – G (I) – G/F# (I/ii) – Em (vi) – Em7 (vi7) – C (IV) – D (V) – Dsus4 (Vsus4)
Similar Chord Progressions
1. The Beatles – “Norwegian Wood”
[‘D’, ‘Dmaj7’, ‘Dsus2’, ‘Dmaj7’]
2. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
[‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘Bm’]
3. Pink Floyd – “Breathe”
[‘Em9’, ‘A’, ‘Am7’, ‘G6’, ‘Dsus2/F#’, ‘Em9’, ‘A’]
These chord progressions contain similar elements found in “Congratulations,” such as diatonic chord movements, smooth voice leading through inversions, use of suspensions, and occasional moments of modal interchange.
Musical Analysis
The verse begins with a standard I – vi progression (G – Em), followed by a IV – ii (C – Am) progression, which is a common pop and classical progression. The chords with the inverted bass notes, G/F# and C/B, provide smooth voice leading and a descending bass line. The use of the Em7 and Asus2 chords provides additional tension and color. The Vsus4 (Dsus4) at the end of the progression creates tension that is resolved in the next section or repeats of the verse.
Overall Analysis
The chord progression in the verse of “Congratulations” by MGMT is an interesting blend of conventional pop and classical harmonies with some use of borrowed chords. The progression features mostly diatonic chords in the key of G major, but there are moments of modal interchange and suspensions that add color and tension to the progression.
Style Analysis
“Congratulations” features a neo-psychedelic sound, which can be heard in the mix of conventional pop harmonies with unexpected chords and suspensions. The modal interchange elements and the way that the chords are voiced give the song a vintage, nostalgic quality, reminiscent of 1960s and 1970s psychedelic rock and pop.
What are the chords in: MGMT – Congratulations – Verse 1?
G, G/F#, Em, Em7, C, C/B, Am, Asus2, Am, G, G/F#, Em, Em7, C, C/B, Am, Asus2, Am, G, G/F#, Em, Em7, C, D, Dsus4
