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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.

The song “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails is in the key of B minor. The verse has a simple yet effective chord progression that revolves mainly around the i, III, and IV chords with a slight deviation towards the end. The chorus is characterized by a i-VII-III-VI progression with a slight extension. The outro mostly repeats the verse progression but is shorter.

The given chord progression is from the verse of Pink Floyd’s “Breathe,” a song from their 1973 album, “The Dark Side of the Moon.” The progression consists of alternating Em and A7 chords throughout the entire verse. This creates a sense of movement and tension between the chords while also being relatively simple and repetitive. The harmonic back-and-forth between these two chords gives the song a dreamy and immersive quality that is a signature sound of Pink Floyd’s style.

The progression is in the key of C major. The use of the Bb major is known as modal interchange, where a chord that is not in the key is borrowed from a parallel key, which in this case is C minor. This contributes an interesting tone color to the overall sound. The chord progression does consist a use of slash chords (C/B, C/G) which adds a more complex bassline creating a more harmonically active feeling, and yielding more tension and release.

The piece “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars showcases a common pop ballad structure that follows a typical 4-chord progression with common tone substitution as well as some chords borrowed from the relative minor. Its simplicity is one of its strengths as it allows the focus to fall on Bruno’s vocals and the lyrics, which matches the direct, emotional content of the song effectively.

Nine Inch Nails – Closer – Verse 2

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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. “Breathe” by Pink Floyd
Chord progression: Em9 (ii9) – A7sus4 (V7sus4) – A7 (V7) – Em9 (ii9)

2. “Creep” by Radiohead
Chord progression: G (I) – B (III) – C (IV) – Cm (iv)

3. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
Chord progression: Em (i) – Cmaj7 (VIΔ7) – G6 (III6) – D/F# (VII/2)

While these examples might not have the exact same chord progression as “Closer,” they display similar characteristics such as repetitive chord patterns, simple yet effective harmony, and strong focus on other musical elements to create tension and atmosphere.

Musical Analysis

The heavy repetition of the C minor 7 chord throughout the song creates a sense of stability and tension at the same time. The use of the minor 7th extends the harmony and depth of each chord. There are no borrowed chords in the given progression.

Overall Analysis

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is based primarily around the C minor 7 chord, giving the song its dark and moody atmosphere. The song is in the key of C minor. This chord progression is repetitive and simple, allowing other aspects of the song, such as the lyrics and production, to take center stage.

Style Analysis

Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” is an iconic example of the industrial rock genre, featuring aggressive beats, synthesized instruments, and electronic textures. The simplicity of the chord progression places a stronger focus on the other elements of the song – the catchy synth riffs, the atmospheric singing, and the gritty production.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Closer by Nine Inch Nails are:

Cm7, Cm7, Cm7, Cm7