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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.

The song “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails has a tonal center around the key of B minor, as it is the most prominently featured chord in both the verse and chorus sections. The verse features a simple three-chord progression (Bm-D-E), and the chorus introduces additional chords (G, A). The outro mainly repeats the chords from the verse. The style of the piece can be characterized as haunting, melancholic, and somewhat minimalistic with only a few chords creating the harmonic landscape.

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is in the key of A minor and quite uniquely, the song borrows chords from parallel major and minor keys, as well as from modes like mixolydian. It is one of George Harrison’s contributions to the Beatles and showcases sophisticated harmonic techniques and an intricate chordal design, reflecting deeply on the influence of Eastern music and philosophies on his songwriting.

“When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars is in the key of C major. It is a ballad with a piano-led instrumentation, backed by Bruno’s powerful and emotive vocals. The melody and chords are relatively simple, but the lingering tone and the poignant lyrics create an emotionally resonant track. A common feature in this piece, as well as many pop songs in general, is the use of borrowed chords.

Nine Inch Nails – Closer – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The verse of “Closer” consists solely of a repeated Cm7 chord. Therefore, the chord progression becomes:

C minor 7th (i7)

This progression will be illustrated in this format: Cm7 (i7) for each instance in the verse.

In context of the key being C minor:

“`Cm7 (i7), Cm7 (i7), Cm7 (i7), Cm7 (i7)“`

Similar Chord Progressions

“Closer” presents a unique example with its four-beat repetition of a singular Cm7 chord; this unchanging chordal texture is rather rare in popular music. However, there are similar use of such repetition in minimalist genres. A close example is “Stranger” by Portishead, where the verses emphasize a repeated Em6 chord.

“Stranger” by Portishead: `Em6 (i6), Em6 (i6), Em6 (i6), Em6 (i6)`

Musical Analysis

Focusing exclusively on the repetitiveness of Cm7 for verses creates a spell-binding, hypnotic feel. Playing off this sameness, the effect is further amplified by the undercurrent of the song’s textured and repetitive rhythms, electronic sounds and drum patterns. This dark, brooding sound is inherent to the aesthetics of Nine Inch Nails – showing the interplay between minimalistic simplicity and the emotional, atmospheric undercurrent carried within.

Overall Analysis

“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails works within a minimalist musical framework, where a few shiftless chords and tension-filled pentatonic melodies define the song. It inculcates a dark atmospheric mood through its instrumentation and harmony. The repetitive and consistent use of the Cm7 chord creates a haunting, pulsating groove that add to the atmospheric layer of the song.

Style Analysis

Nine Inch Nails, Denvering into the Industrial genre, strategically employs repetition and minimalist chord progressions to reveal sonic atmospheres tending more towards the eerie and melancholic. The stylistic use of repetitive sequences, electronic soundscapes, and sparse chord progressions is prevalent in the electronic sub-genres, including Techno, Ambient and IDM.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Closer by Nine Inch Nails are:

[‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’]