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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’)`

“Knights of Cydonia” by Muse features a harmonically straightforward chord progression within the rock style. This progression is primarily based in the key of E minor and centers around the Em, Bm, and A chords. Throughout the song, the driving rhythm, vocal melodies, and transitions between different sections contribute to its energetic and dramatic qualities.

The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” presents an interesting mix of major and minor chords with excellent use of chord inversions and borrowings. The song is harmonically adventurous, showcasing the band’s pop mastery with Brian Wilson’s unmatched compositional skills. This song is primarily in the key of A Major, with many borrowed chords and modulation that creates its unique feel.

“Creep” by Radiohead is an alternative rock song in the key of G major, with a somewhat melancholic tone. The chord progression used is iconic, and it heavily relies on borrowed chords to create tension and resolution in the harmony. This use of chords creates a distinct sound that has become synonymous with the song.

“Maxwell’s Silver Hammer,” composed by Paul McCartney, is a pop song that sits in the key of D Major throughout. However, it does borrow chords from the parallel minor. This technique, known as modal interchange or borrowed chords, is common in popular music and especially in classical compositions by iconic bands like The Beatles.

Muse – Hate This And Ill Love You – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Em, Bm, F#sus4, F#, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Bm7/G#, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, G#m7, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Gm, D/F#, A, Gm, D, Em, Bm, F#sus4, F#m, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Bm7/G#, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Gm, D/F#, A, Gm, D

Chord Progression Analysis

E minor (i), B minor (v), F#sus4 (IVsus4 of Bm), F# major (V of Bm), E minor (i), F# major (II), B minor (v), Bm7/A (*V7/V/v), Bm7/G# (*V7/iii♭), Bm7/G (*V7/v), E minor (i), G major (III), E minor (i), F# major (II), B minor (v), Bm7/A (*V7/V/v), G#m7 (ivm7 of E), Bm7/G (*V7/v), E minor (i), G major (III), E minor (i), F# major (II), B minor (v), Bm7/A (*V7/V/v), G minor (*bIII), D/F# (II6 in Em and V6 in G), A major (*IV) [or V in Dm], G minor (*bIII), D major (*Ton), E minor (i), B minor (v), F#sus4 (IVsus4 of Bm), F# minor (*iv in Em or iv in Bm), E minor (i), F# major (II), B minor (v), Bm7/A (*V7/V/v), Bm7/G# (*V7/iii♭), Bm7/G (*V7/v), E minor (i), G major (III), E minor (i), F# major (II), B minor (v), Bm7/A (*V7/V/v), G minor (*bIII), D/F# (II6 in Em and V6 in G), A major (*IV) [or V in Dm], G minor (*bIII), D major (*Ton).

`*` denotes borrowed chords or chords with tension notes.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – Paranoid Android:
[Am (i), D7 (*IV), G (♭VII), C (III), Bm7 (*iv), E (V_II), Am (i), D7 (*IV), G7 (♭VII_dim)]

2. The Beatles – Something:
[C (I), Cmaj7, C7 (*V), F (IV), D (*VII), G (*III), G7 (*III_dim), A (*VI), C#7 (*V_III), F#m (III), F#m7, B7 (V)]

Note that these similar progressions feature a mix of diatonic and non-diatonic chords. They also use secondary dominants and borrowed chords, indicative of the rock music genre’s experimental harmony.

Musical Analysis

The chorus consists of a mix of diatonic, modal interchange, and secondary dominant chords. Some chords create tension, which then resolves to the subsequent chords. For example, F#sus4 to F# major represents a suspended chord resolved by the major chord.

Muse also uses descending chromatic bass motion in Bm7/A, Bm7/G#, and Bm7/G. This technique adds tension and movement throughout the chorus, a common element in rock music.

Overall Analysis

The chorus of “Hate This And I’ll Love You” by Muse features a highly chromatic and non-diatonic chord progression, with a myriad of borrowed chords and some distinctive rock sound. The key within which the progression is based seems to shift between E minor and B minor, with a mixture of Major and minor chords throughout.

Style Analysis

Muse often employs a mix of classical harmonic techniques and rock-inspired rhythmic elements. This progression includes chromaticism, some modal interchange, and various tensions that create a sense of variety and unpredictability, an approach characteristic of their music.

Chords in the Chorus section of Hate This And Ill Love You by Muse are:

Em, Bm, F#sus4, F#, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Bm7/G#, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, G#m7, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Gm, D/F#, A, Gm, D, Em, Bm, F#sus4, F#m, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Bm7/G#, Bm7/G, Em, G, Em, F#, Bm, Bm7/A, Gm, D/F#, A, Gm, D