MGMT – When You Die – Verse 1
When You Die < All Analyses
Chord Progression
G, Em, F#m, Bm, G, F#m, Bm, E, A
Chord Progression Analysis
G Major (I) – Em (vi) – F#m (♯vii°) – Bm (iii) – G Major (I) – F#m (♯vii°) – Bm (iii) – E Major (VI) – A Major (II)
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F#m (♯vii°) – Borrowed chord from G Lydian
E Major (VI) – Borrowed chord from G Mixolydian
A Major (II) – Borrowed chord from G Mixolydian
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Similar Chord Progressions
1. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
[‘G’, ‘Fsus2’, ‘Em’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘Bb’, ‘C’]
2. The Beatles – “Strawberry Fields Forever”
[‘A’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘F#m’, ‘F’, ‘D’]
These examples showcase similar uses of borrowed chords, surprising modulations, and interesting harmonic movements, drawing on different modal elements and chromaticism to create an engaging listening experience.
Musical Analysis
The verse begins with the I-vi progression, which is a common move in pop and rock music to create a sense of stability. The progression then takes a surprising turn with the appearance of the borrowed F#m chord, which introduces a level of dissonance and tension. This tension is continued with the Bm chord and then resolved by returning to the G major.
The progression moves through another F#m-Bm sequence before a modulation occurs to the relative minor key of E minor. In this section, E major and A major chords are introduced, both borrowed chords from the G Mixolydian mode. This creates an effective contrast with the initial part of the verse, and introduces an additional dimension in the harmony.
Overall Analysis
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.
Style Analysis
As an indie rock/electronic fusion band, MGMT often experiments with different harmonic textures and structures. The chord progression in “When You Die” is a good example of this, as it combines familiar diatonic harmonic movement with chromaticism and modal interchange. This blending of styles keeps the music fresh and engaging while retaining a strong emotional message. The inclusion of borrowed chords adds to the overall melancholic and atmospheric tone that is characteristic of MGMT’s work.
What are the chords in: MGMT – When You Die – Verse 1?
G, Em, F#m, Bm, G, F#m, Bm, E, A
