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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The Verse 3 chord progression in Muse’s cover of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” is a fairly simple progression that features harmonic devices such as seventh chords, borrowed chords, and a half-diminished chord. This progression incorporates some jazz and pop influences into a stylistically cohesive and engaging harmonic landscape.

The chord progression from Muse’s “Hate This And I’ll Love You” displays a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords from the parallel minor. The progression is in the key of A major and shows an unconventional use of chords that gives the song its unique sound. It also showcases certain characteristics of Muse’s music style that includes complex chord progressions and frequent changes between major and minor harmonies.

Chord Progression Analysis and Roman Numerals:

A ('I'), Gm ('bVII'), D/F# ('IV/V'), A ('I'),
Gm ('bVII'), D ('IV'), A ('I'), Gm ('bVII'),
D/F# ('IV/V'), A ('I'), Gm ('bVII'), D/F# ('IV/V')

The borrowed chord in this progression is Gm, taken from the parallel minor, A minor:
`Gm (‘bVII’)`

“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.

“Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You” by George Benson is a romantic ballad in the key of Db major. The piece features a soothing and harmonically rich chord progression that is characteristic of the pop/jazz fusion style popular in the late 70s and 80s. The chorus features a mix of diatonic, borrowed, and secondary-dominant chords, creating an expressive palette of colors and tensions. This progression shares similarities with other ballads and pop songs from the era.

“Wonderwall” by Oasis is a rock song with folk roots and a melodic pop influence. It uses the alternative rock idiom of harmony, which bestows the song with a sound leaning towards traditional folk and classic pop. The band utilizes common vintage chords mixed with modern progressions to create that identifiable Oasis sound.

Muse – Cant Take My Eyes Off You – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Dm, G, C, Am, Dm, G, C, A, Dm, G, C, Am, Dm, G, Cmaj7, C7, C6, C, G#, C

Chord Progression Analysis

– The primary harmony consists of a cyclical pattern with the circle of fourths movement (Dm-G-C) and a common vi-IV-I-V progression.
– The A major chord (V/vi) serves as a secondary dominant to pull the progression towards the A minor chord (vi).
– The final chords (Cmaj7, C7, C6) offer a descending chromatic line in the melody, adding tension and release, a common technique in pop and jazz music.
– The Ab major chord (bVI) serves as a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key, injecting a momentary shift in tonality that contrasts with the surrounding diatonic harmony.

Similar Chord Progressions

Musical Analysis

– Muse’s adaptation of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” demonstrates a fusion of pop, rock, and jazz elements.
– The chord progression retains the structure and essence of the original song but adds modernity and edge through heavy electric guitar and driving drum beats.
– The presence of chromaticism and the borrowed Ab major chord showcase a subtle jazz influence amidst the otherwise straightforward pop-based harmony.

Overall Analysis

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).`

Style Analysis

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) – C major (I)`

Chords in the Chorus section of Cant Take My Eyes Off You by Muse are:

Dm, G, C, Am, Dm, G, C, A, Dm, G, C, Am, Dm, G, Cmaj7, C7, C6, C, G#, C