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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is in the key of B major. The primary chords used throughout the song are: B major (I), C# major (II), G major (bVI), E major (IV), F# major (V), and C (bII). The chords progression is unconventional when compared to traditional music theory. This unconventional use of chords and progressions creates a unique and distinct sound that characterizes the song.

Chord Analysis (Pre-Chorus):

The chord progression in the pre-chorus, which is also found in the verse, would be:
B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – G major (bVI) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – G major (bVI) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – G major (bVI) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II)

Borrowed Chord:

G major (bVI) is a borrowed chord from B minor, the parallel minor of B major in this song.

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“Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails has an interesting chord progression, particularly in the bridge, which adopts a distinct pattern of E, A, C, G repeatedly. This song is classified under Industrial Rock and utilizes repetition impressively to create a sense of monotony and frustration, akin to the lyrical theme.

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“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is a repetitive, hypnotic song that relies on a dark tonality and electronic elements to create its unique sound. This is achieved with the use of only two chords: Cm7 and F. Notably, a distinctive feature of this song is the lack of chordal diversity which aids in creating a minimal, industrial vibe.

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“Give Me The Night” is a smooth jazz, R&B, and funk-infused composition by George Benson. The pre-chorus is particularly interesting, as it features a brief but captivating chord progression that navigates through a variety of moods before looping back to the main progression or chorus of the song.

“Time to Pretend” by MGMT is a psychedelic pop/rock song that incorporates elements of electronic and indie rock music. The chord progression in the pre-chorus, which we will specifically analyze, shows MGMT’s experimentation with harmonic structure, drawing influences from both traditional classical and popular music techniques.

Nine Inch Nails – Closer – Pre-Chorus 1

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Chord Progression

Cm7, Cm7, Cm7, Cm7

Chord Progression Analysis

C Minor 7 (i7) – C Minor 7 (i7) – C Minor 7 (i7) – C Minor 7 (i7)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Pink Floyd – “Breathe” (Intro and Verse)
D Major7 (I7) – A Major7/9 (V7/9) – G Major (IV) – D Major7 (I7)

2. Radiohead – “Exit Music (For a Film)” (Verse)
Am11 (i11) – Am11 (i11) – Am11 (i11) – Am11 (i11)

3. Portishead – “Roads” (Verse)
Em9 (i9) – Em9 (i9) – Em9 (i9) – Em9 (i9)

In summary, “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails uses a simple yet distinctive chord progression in the pre-chorus to create an industrial rock atmosphere. Other artists, such as Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and Portishead, have employed similar minimalist chord progressions in their works, allowing the listener to focus on other elements, like the lyrics, instrumentation, and textures of the songs.

Musical Analysis

The pre-chorus contains a continuous repetition of C Minor 7 chords. The use of only the i7 chord serves as a bridge between the different sections of the song, maintaining the dark tonality established in the verse and setting up the chorus. In addition, with no progression or movement between chords, the pre-chorus adds a hypnotic and eerie effect to the musical structure of the song.

Overall Analysis

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is written in C minor key, and the overall structure of the song consists of a verse, pre-chorus, and a chorus. The progression is simple yet effective in creating a dark and moody atmosphere, consistent with the industrial rock genre that characterizes Nine Inch Nails’ music.

Pre-Chorus 1 –

Style Analysis

The industrial rock style often features repetitive elements and a darker atmosphere, which can be seen in the chord structure used in “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails. Additionally, the minimalistic chord progression creates a sense of tension and anticipation that is common in the genre.

Chords in the Pre-Chorus 1 section of Closer by Nine Inch Nails are:

Cm7, Cm7, Cm7, Cm7