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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The song in question, “Endlessly” by Muse, is a reflective and emotional piece, featuring a fairly unique chord progression. The verse’s chord progression is not commonly heard in popular music, giving it a distinct sound that sets it apart from other songs. The use of suspended chords, the shift from Am to Bm, and the resolution to the E7 chord give the piece a floating, ethereal feel.

“Feeling Good” by Muse is a cover of the original song written by English composers Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley in 1964. The Muse version was released in 2001 and is featured on their second studio album, “Origin of Symmetry.” The song is heavily influenced by the genres of jazz, soul, and R&B, while the Muse rendition adds a more modern rock sound to the mix.

The song “Yesterday” by The Beatles is in the key of F major and spans chord I to VI. It is characterized by a deeply expressive melody and distinctive harmony. The chord progression seems simple, yet it makes full use of secondary dominants, borrowed chords, and subtly shifting tonal centers for narrative, which is a trademark of The Beatles’s songwriting style.

“Get You” by Daniel Caesar is a soulful R&B ballad featuring a smooth and emotive chord progression that is both melancholic and uplifting. The progression is derived from the key of D major, but features a borrowed chord from its parallel minor key, D minor, which adds a unique flair to the song. Daniel Caesar’s vocal performance, accompanied by soulful instrumentation, creates a sense of nostalgia and emotional evocation that is characteristic of the R&B genre.

“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.

Muse – Endlessly – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Dm, Am, Dm, F, C, E, Em7b5/Bb, A7, Dm, G, C

Chord Progression Analysis

D minor (i), A minor (v), D minor (i), F major (III), C major (VII), E major (II), E minor 7 flat 5 over Bb (ivø7/♭VI), A7 (V7), D minor (i), G major (IV), C major (VII)

“` Borrowed Chord: E major (II) “`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
Chord progression in bridge: [C#m7(i), B7(♭VII7), G#m7(iv), G7(♭III7)]

2. The Beatles – “Michelle”
Chord progression in verse: [Fm(i), B♭m(v), E♭(♭VII), A♭(♭III), D♭(♭VI), A♭(♭III), E♭(♭VII), B♭m(v)]

3. Coldplay – “Viva La Vida”
Chord progression in verse: [C(I), D(IV), G(VI), E♭m/♭III, A(V), B♭m/♭III, G(VI), A2(V7)]

It is important to note that Muse’s chord progression in “Endlessly” is quite unique, and it’s difficult to find an exact match in other songs. However, the examples mentioned above share characteristics such as borrowed chords or unexpected harmonic twists that give them a similar eclectic feel.

Musical Analysis

Though the piece is primarily in D minor, the inclusion of an E major chord (which is borrowed as the major II from D harmonic/melodic minor) adds a nice momentary color to break up the typical minor progressions. The use of E minor7♭5/B♭ is an interesting substitution for a diminished or half-diminished chord, as it results in a smoother chromatic bassline approach to the A7, which then resolves back to D minor as the V7-i cadence.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the chorus of “Endlessly” by Muse is an interesting mix of chords from related keys and chromatic alterations. The overall key of the piece is D minor, but there are some unexpected twists and turns that keep the harmonic journey unique and engaging.

Style Analysis

Muse is known for its genre-blending style that often incorporates elements from classical and progressive music into their rock/pop sound. The combination of borrowed chords, chromatic alterations, and borrowed harmony in this progression is no doubt an example of their progressive tendencies, while still maintaining a relatively accessible sound.

Chords in the Chorus section of Endlessly by Muse are:

Dm, Am, Dm, F, C, E, Em7b5/Bb, A7, Dm, G, C