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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in the riff from Muse’s “New Born” is intriguing and creative, employing chromaticism and non-diatonic chords to create a unique and dramatic sound. The progression consists of four chords: C, A#dim7, Bsus4, and B. This progression doesn’t adhere to a single key, making it difficult to analyze in terms of functional harmony. However, it showcases Muse’s experimental tendencies, a quintessential aspect of their music style.

“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 Sound Of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel is written in the key of Am and follows the Verse-Chorus form common in pop and rock music. The progression consists of a beachfront of common and borrowed chords, showing the use of modal interchange and diatonic chords in creating a memorable and emotive sound.

“Come Together”, released by The Beatles in 1969 on their Abbey Road album, is a rock song known for its catchy bass-line, cryptic lyrics and iconic chorus. It’s written in D minor key, a common key in rock music. Across the progression, there is not only an interesting mix of different chords but also a novel use of borrowed chords that play a significant role in making the song mysterious, intriguing, and unique.

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“Im Still Standing” by Elton John is a classic rock/pop song composed in E Major. You can see that this is a complex composition with frequent chord changes, giving it a rich musical texture. The chord progression is not diatonic, which means that it includes chords from outside of its home key of E Major.

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Muse – New Born – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G

Chord Progression Analysis

E minor (i) – B major (‘V/vi’) – E minor (i) – B major (‘V/vi’) – E minor (i) – C major (VI) – G major (III) – B major (‘V/vi’)
E minor (i) – B major (‘V/vi’) – E minor (i) – B major (‘V/vi’) – E minor (i) – C major (VI) – G major (III) – B major (‘V/vi’)
E minor (i) – B major (‘V/vi’) – E minor (i) – B major (‘V/vi’) – E minor (i) – C major (VI) – G major (III) – B major (‘V/vi’)
E minor (i) – B major (‘V/vi’) – E minor (i) – B major (‘V/vi’) – E minor (i) – C major (VI) – G major (III)

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B major (‘V/vi’)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
E minor (i) – A major (‘IV/iv’) – E minor (i) – B major (‘V/vi’)
2. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
A minor (i) – A major (‘III/III’) – A minor (i) – G major (VII)
3. Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
F minor (i) – B major (‘V/v’) – A♭ major (VI) – D♭ major (♭II)

These examples showcase chord progressions that incorporate borrowed chords or unusual harmonic relationships, much like the progression found in Muse’s “New Born.”

Musical Analysis

The sequence begins with the i (E minor) chord and alternates between E minor and B major (‘V/vi’) four times, creating a tension between these two chords. The B major chord is borrowed from the parallel major scale, E major. It leads nicely back to the tonic (Em) as a secondary dominant. The pattern then shifts to the VI (C major) and III (G major) chords, providing a brief sense of resolution before moving back to the borrowed B major chord, introducing tension once again. This 8-chord sequence repeats four times in the verse.

Overall Analysis

The verse 2 chord progression from Muse’s “New Born” reflects their signature harmonic daring and interesting relationships, which provides this piece with a fresh and captivating sound. The progression features a blend of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, as well as key shifts and chromaticism. It utilizes major-minor modal interchange and emphasizes the Em – B relationship throughout.

Style Analysis

Muse is known for their eclectic mix of genres, including rock, classical, electronica, and even film scores. In “New Born,” their use of borrowed chords, along with the alternation between E minor and B major throughout most of the verse, reflects their penchant for unconventional, dramatic, and intense sounds. The progression not only conveys tension but also showcases the band’s creativity in exploring unusual harmonic relationships.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of New Born by Muse are:

Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G, B, Em, B, Em, B, Em, C, G