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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chorus of “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is built around a progression that oscillates between a single major chord, F, and a single minor seventh chord, Cm7. This is quite minimalistic. Major chords usually have a happy, positive feel, while minor chords induce a somewhat sad, introspective mood. The use of C minor 7th gives a particular color to the progression: it’s a minor chord with an added minor seventh, which means it’s a bit less stable than a regular minor chord.

“Something I Can Never Have” by Nine Inch Nails is a song with a dark and moody atmosphere. The chord progression in both the verse and chorus of the song features certain borrowed chords and chromatic tones that give the piece this distinctive quality. The song seems to be in the key of C Major, but certain chords from the parallel minor key (C Minor) are used to create a sense of tension and emotional turmoil.

“I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is an excellent example of their innovative approach to harmony and chord progression. This song, written in the key of G major, features a common I-V-vi-III progression in the verses. It notably uses borrowed ‘B’ major and ‘B7’ chords from the parallel minor scale.

“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley is a well-known example of a poignant, introspective ballad with a mix of pop, folk, and gospel elements. It features intricate, emotionally evocative chord progressions that move beyond typical diatonic patterns and uses borrowed chords to create an emotionally charged atmosphere.

“Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak utilizes a repetitive three-chord-per-measure progression throughout the song. It is notable for its haunting, melancholic, and mysteriously romantic sound largely because of its repeated progression and very carefully chosen blend of major and minor chords, within the key signature of B minor.

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’]