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Nine Inch Nails

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is a dark and provocative piece built upon a relentless, driving chord progression and sinuous melodies. The downbeat feel and chromaticism contribute to the brooding, unsettling mood of the song, which is a hallmark of the industrial rock genre. The piece is in the key of B minor.

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Nine Inch Nails

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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Muse

The chord progression in Muse’s “Endlessly” from Verse 2 is a mix of diatonic chords and a borrowed chord from the parallel major key. The progression has a melancholic feel, utilizing suspended chords to create tension and release. The use of both minor and major chords provides a balanced sound, giving the piece its unique character.

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Queens of the Stone Age

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Looking at the entire song and isolating the verse, the chord progression provided shows a rock style often seen in Queens of the Stone Age compositions. The harmonic language of this song and its progression style fall within the realm of Pop / Rock music, with frequent use of minor chords suggesting a somber or introspective mood. On first glance, it appears to contain chords primarily from the key of F# minor, with no obvious borrowings from other keys. However, a closer inspection will allow us to delve deeper into their harmonic function.

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Muse

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.

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Nine Inch Nails – Closer – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

[‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’]

Chord Progression Analysis

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The chord progression for Verse 2 is:
– Cm7 (‘i7)
– Cm7 (‘i7)
– Cm7 (‘i7)
– Cm7 (‘i7)

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No borrowed chords are present in this progression.
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Similar Chord Progressions

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One song with a somewhat similar chord progression is “Rock + Roll” by EDEN. This song also uses a constant, singular chord through the verse, creating a similar atmospheric quality, though it operates in a major key. The verse chord progression is:
– D (‘I)
– D (‘I)
– D (‘I)
– D (‘I)

Another equivalent progression occurs in The Beatles’ song “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”, which also settles on a single repeated chord (Am) in the primary verse section. This is another example of how a monotonous chord progression can generate a hypnotic, immersive soundscape. The verse chord progression here is:
– Am (‘i)
– Am (‘i)
– Am (‘i)
– Am (‘i)

Musical Analysis

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The Cm7 (‘i7) chord is the tonic of the C minor key. It serves as the home base and provides a sense of resolution to the musical tension. The repetitive usage of the same chord gives the track a hypnotic, drone-like quality, creating an introspective and somber atmosphere. This monotonous progression underlines the lyrics and vocal melody, contributing to the emotional intensity of the song.

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Overall Analysis

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“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails utilizes a relatively simple chord structure, which allows the song to establish a pervasive atmosphere and direct the listener’s focus on the lyrics and melodies. This piece is in the key of C minor, and the chord progression is cyclical in nature, with Verse 2 consisting of the repetition of Cm7 chord throughout.

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Style Analysis

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Nine Inch Nails, known for their industrial rock style, often employ simplistic chord progressions to emphasize their complex rhythmic instrumentation and introspective, often dark, lyrics. The repetition of the Cm7 chord in “Closer” is representative of this approach, as it helps to maintain the gloomy and introspective atmosphere throughout the song.

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

[‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’, ‘Cm7’]

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