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Muse

The chord progression in the chorus of Muse’s “Apocalypse Please” consists of a mix of diatonic chords and borrowed chords from the parallel major and minor keys. The progression features strong harmonic movement with a pivot modulation. Muse is known for their dramatic, often symphonic rock sound, and this progression is no exception in showing off their signature style. The progression also shares some similarities with other artists’ works in both structure and harmonic content.

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Muse

Muse’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” is a rock interpretation of the classic 1967 pop song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli, which has been covered by various artists in different styles. The chord progression of the chorus is characterized by a series of diatonic chords, predominant in Western pop music. This progression follows a typical 1950’s “doowop” pattern present in countless pop and rock songs, utilizing the familiar circle of fourths movement (Dm-G-C) and establishing a straightforward harmonic rhythm.

Chord Progression Analysis with Roman Numerals (borrowed chords in code block):

D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major (I) – A minor (vi) – D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major (I) – A major (V/vi) – D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major (I) – A minor (vi) – D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major 7 (Imaj7) – C7 (I7) – C6 (I6) – C major (I) – Ab major (*bVI) – C major (I)

`* Ab major (bVI) is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (C minor).`

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Weezer

The chord progression in Weezer’s “Perfect Situation” is a simple and repetitive progression that cycles through three chords, G, D, and Am, with D being used as a transitional or “passing” chord. This progression is based on the I – V – ii structure in the key of G major.

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The Beatles

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“With a Little Help from My Friends” is a song by the Beatles from their 1967 album ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. It features Ringo Starr who sings the song in the role of ‘Billy Shears’, a fictional character from the ‘Sgt. Pepper’ album. It was composed by Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

The full chord sequence you provided represents the verse. The song itself is predominantly in E Major, but contains several borrowed chords and modal exchanges. As was common with Beatles’s compositions, they often incorporated intricate chord progressions and did not strictly adhere to traditional key signatures.

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The Rolling Stones

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“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones is arranged in a minor key, specifically E minor. The verse chord progression of the song exhibits a fairly common pattern in 60’s rock and pop music, incorporating the use of both diatonic chords and borrowed chords from the parallel major key.

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Muse – Apocalypse Please – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

F#m/C#, C#, F#m/C#, C#, F#m, C#, F#m, C#

Chord Progression Analysis

F#m/C# (i6), C# (V), F#m/C# (i6), C# (V), F#m (i), C# (V), F#m (i), C# (V)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Exit Music (For a Film)”
Am (i), E (V), Am (i), E (V), Am (i), E (V), Am (i), E (V)

Although the chords are different, Radiohead’s “Exit Music (For a Film)” also heavily utilizes the alternating i and V relationship in their chord progression.

2. Metallica – “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”
Em (i), B (V), Em (i), B (V), Em (i), B (V), Em (i), B (V)

Similar to the other examples, Metallica’s “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” consists of alternating between the tonic and dominant chords, creating tension and release throughout the progression.

Musical Analysis

The verse begins with F#m/C# as the first inversion of F#m, creating a smooth transition between F#m and C# while maintaining the bass note C#. This creates a sense of consistency and grounding throughout the progression. It alternates between F#m/C# and C# for the first four chords and then shifts to a simpler alternation between F#m and C# for the remaining four chords.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the verse of “Apocalypse Please” by Muse is mostly based on the F#m and C# chords, with a strong emphasis on the i and V7 relationship. The progression moves back and forth between these two chords without straying far from the Tonality of F# minor while maintaining a tension and release structure.

Style Analysis

This chord progression fits the general style and sound of Muse, which often features strong, driving grooves, and dramatic tension/resolution. They are known for incorporating classical elements in their music, and the use of the i and V relationship in this chord progression demonstrates their affinity for classical harmonic structures. Additionally, the sense of urgency in the progression aligns with the apocalyptic theme of the song.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Apocalypse Please by Muse are:

F#m/C#, C#, F#m/C#, C#, F#m, C#, F#m, C#

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