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“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 chord progression in Muse’s Hysteria (verse 2) is a fairly unique progression that revolves around a minor tonality with some hints of E7 acting as a secondary dominant. It seems to have an ambiguous key center, fluctuating between E minor and A minor. The progression is repeated, providing a sense of tension and familiarity throughout the verse.

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’)`

“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys showcases the artistic depth and compositional craft of Brian Wilson, the band’s primary songwriter. The song utilizes a complex chord progression and key changes that are unconventional for pop music of its time. The chord progression creates a sense of constant mood transitions, similar to arias in Romantic era music.

“Hoppipolla” by Sigur Rós is a dreamy and atmospheric piece that showcases the band’s unique style. The chord progression in the verse consists of D#m, E, D#m, and E chords, which creates a simple and elegant harmonic structure. The use of open strings and melodically moving chords in this progression reflects the ethereal nature of this piece. This progression can be found in both rock and alternative music genres, as it uses the powerful major and minor chords found throughout these styles. The repetitive nature of the chord progression mirrors the band’s tendency to use slow-building and evolving textures in their compositions.

Muse – Knights Of Cydonia – Verse

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Chord Progression

G#m, B, E, B, D#, E, G, B, Em, B, C, G, B, C, G, B, Em

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
G#m (i),
B (III),
E (VI),
B (III),
D# (V),
E (VI),
G (bV),
B (III),
Em (v),
B (III),
C (bIV),
G (bV),
B (III),
C (bIV),
G (bV),
B (III),
Em (v)
“`

Borrowed Chords:
“`
G (bV), C (bIV)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
“`
Am (i),
E (V),
G (bVII),
D (IV),
C (bIII),
E (V),
Bm (v),
F# (V),
Dm (iv))
“`

2. Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (verse)
“`
Bb (I),
Bb7 (V7),
Eb (IV),
Bb7 (V7),
Bbsus2 (Isus2),
Cm (ii),
F (V),
Bb (I),
Dm (iii),
Gm (vi),
C7 (V7),
F7 (IV7),
Bb (I))
“`

These songs also feature complex and unconventional chord progressions, incorporating borrowed chords, key shifts, and chromatic movement. They similarly incorporate elements of progressive rock and symphonic rock in their compositions, drawing parallels to “Knights of Cydonia.”

Musical Analysis

This progression starts in the key of G# minor with G#m (i), followed by B (III) from the same key. The progression then shifts to E major with E (VI). It then returns to B (III), which can also function as the V chord of E major, creating a sense of ambiguity between the two keys.

The next set of chords features a chromatic movement from D# (V) to E (VI) and then down to G (bV), a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (G# natural minor). The progression then returns to B (III) before temporarily shifting to the key of E minor with Em (v) and B (III).

This is followed by another set of borrowed chords, C (bIV) and G (bV), both from the E natural minor key, adding further tension to the progression. The progression then alternates between B (III) and these borrowed chords before concluding with Em (v).

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the verse of “Knights of Cydonia” by Muse features a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, primarily from the G# minor and E major keys. The progression features an interesting blend of major and minor chords, chromatic movement, and modulation, contributing to the epic and powerful sound of the track.

Style Analysis

“Knights of Cydonia” showcases Muse’s signature progressive rock and symphonic rock influences, with its dramatic chord progression, large dynamic shifts, and intricate arrangement. The use of modulation and borrowed chords further adds to the epic, cinematic quality of the track, which is a common feature in Muse’s music.

Chords in the Verse section of Knights Of Cydonia by Muse are:

G#m, B, E, B, D#, E, G, B, Em, B, C, G, B, C, G, B, Em