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“Time to Pretend” by MGMT is a psychedelic pop/rock song that incorporates elements of electronic and indie rock music. The chord progression in the pre-chorus, which we will specifically analyze, shows MGMT’s experimentation with harmonic structure, drawing influences from both traditional classical and popular music techniques.

The chord progression in the verse of “When You Die” by MGMT can be analyzed as a blend of traditional diatonic harmony and chromaticism. The song is in the key of G major with elements of modal interchange and a brief modulation to the relative minor key, E minor. The progression features a mix of both major and minor chords and gives the piece a sense of melancholy and uncertainty.

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.

“Since I’ve Been Loving You” by Led Zeppelin is a slow-tempo blues-rock song featuring a sophisticated and expressive chord progression that falls predominantly within the C minor key, standing out from the more traditional blues structures. The chords in the verse display a creative use of borrowed chords and chromaticism, contributing to the song’s moody and emotionally-evocative atmosphere. The progression is less common in rock music, which is what makes it characteristic of Led Zeppelin’s innovative musical explorations.

“Just The Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. is an easy-listening song, falling under R&B and jazz genres. It’s a classic example of the use of major 7th, dominant 7th, and minor 7th chords to create a rich, smooth harmonic texture. The chord progression is quite repetitive and follows a mixture of diatonic and chromatic movement.

MGMT – Time To Pretend – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

D, G, D, Dsus2, D, D, G, D, Dsus2, D, D, G, D, Dsus2, D, D, G, D, Dsus2, D

Chord Progression Analysis

D Major (I) – G Major (IV) – D Major (I) – Dsus2

Implemented as:
“`
D Major (‘I’) – G Major (‘IV’) – D Major (‘I’) – Dsus2
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Let It Be”
Chord Progression:
“`
C Major (‘I’) – G Major (‘IV’) – A Minor (‘vi’) – F Major (‘IV’)
“`

2. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
Chord Progression:
“`
E Minor (‘ii’) – G Major (‘IV’) – D Major (‘I’) – A Major (‘V’)
“`

3. David Bowie – “Heroes”
Chord Progression:
“`
D Major (‘I’) – G Major (‘IV’) – B Minor (‘vi’) – G Major (‘IV’)
“`

While these chord progressions are not exactly the same as “Time To Pretend,” they share some similarities with the use of the I-IV relationship, and they showcase examples of how this simple relationship can be used to create memorable songs in various genres.

Musical Analysis

The verse of “Time To Pretend” can be divided into four repetitions of the same chord progression. The D Major chord is the tonic chord in the key of D major, which provides a sense of stability and grounding. The G Major chord is the subdominant chord (IV), which adds some tension that is later resolved back to the tonic chord (D Major). The addition of Dsus2 serves to create a sense of intrigue or suspension due to the combination of two tones (D and E) that can be heard simultaneously, contributing to the dreamy quality of the song.

Overall Analysis

“Time To Pretend” features a simple and repetitive chord progression in the key of D major. The chord progression in the verse is characterized by a repeated pattern of D – G – D – Dsus2. The style of the song can be described as psychedelic synth-pop, with its electronic synth sounds and dream-like atmosphere. MGMT’s music often features catchy melodies and harmonies, which can also be heard in this song.

Style Analysis

As previously mentioned, “Time To Pretend” features a psychedelic synth-pop style. The song is characterized by rich synth layers, hypnotic melodies, and evocative lyrics that transport the listener into a dreamy, otherworldly state. The chord progression, while seemingly simple, provides the foundation for these stylistic elements to shine through.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Time To Pretend by MGMT are:

D, G, D, Dsus2, D, D, G, D, Dsus2, D, D, G, D, Dsus2, D, D, G, D, Dsus2, D