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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is primarily centered around the Cm7 chord throughout the verses and pre-choruses, with the chorus briefly moving to the F major chord before returning back to Cm7. The song is in the key of C minor, and the chords used are mostly diatonic to the key, creating a dark and somewhat haunting atmosphere. The progression is simplistic but effective, establishing a strong sense of forward motion and tension that is fitting for the industrial rock style of the song.

“Right Where It Belongs” by Nine Inch Nails is a song characterized by its melodic and harmonic structure. It has a unique yet familiar sound, blending pop and alternative rock elements with its rich chord progression and powerful melody.

The chord progression in the verse of “Help!” by The Beatles is quite characteristic of their style, using common chords but in interesting and unusual ways. The verse of “Help!” notably presents a mix of classic pop chord progression (I-vi-ii-V), secondary dominant chords and chromatic progressions. The Beatles often incorporated novel harmonic structures that added depth and complexity to their pop music, as evidenced in this piece.

“Knives Out” by Radiohead features a chord progression that combines elements of rock and jazz with a touch of chromaticism. The harmony is based in the key of C minor, but it also borrows chords from the parallel major key, creating an interesting mix of major and minor tonalities. The overall feel of the piece is melancholic and introspective, with various chord relationships contributing to this mood.

Taylor Swift’s “Black Dog” features a verse chord progression that is both simple and evocative, utilizing variations of the tonic chord to create a sense of movement and build tension before resolving into more straightforward chord changes. This kind of progression is characteristic of songs that aim to evoke a contemplative or narrative-driven mood, which is a frequent theme in Swift’s songwriting.

Nine Inch Nails – Closer – Verse

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Chord Progression

B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G

Chord Progression Analysis

Verse – Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), G (bVI), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), G (bVI), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), G (bVI), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), Bmin (i), C# (ii), G (bVI)

There are no borrowed chords in this progression.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Creep”
Chord Progression: G (IV), B (vi), C (VII), Cm (vii)
While not an exact match, “Creep” has some similarities to “Closer” in its use of chromaticism and the intermittent shift between major and minor chords. The chord progression in “Creep” pivots around the tonal center (G), while incorporating elements of color through the use of the Cm chord.

2. The Cure – “Fascination Street”
Chord Progression: G#min (i), F# (VII), E (VI), F# (VII)
“Fascination Street” shares the dark atmosphere and brooding quality associated with “Closer,” using a simple, repetitive chord progression to create an eerie, haunting effect. The use of the descending progression from G#min to F# and E contributes to this unsettling feel.

Musical Analysis

The verse of “Closer” is characterized by a consistent alternation between the tonic (i) and supertonic (ii) chords, with an occasional use of the bVI chord to add tension and color. This creates a hypnotic effect, and the repeated pattern contributes to the driving, mechanical nature of the song. The entire song is built upon this relatively simple chordal foundation, which helps to emphasize the dark, brooding atmosphere and the melancholic melodies.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

“Closer” falls under the industrial rock genre, characterized by a heavy use of electronic elements, distorted sounds, and dark lyrical content. This song is emblematic of the late-1980s to mid-1990s period of Nine Inch Nails’ career, when they were heavily influenced by industrial and electronic music styles. The repetitive nature of the chord progression, combined with the aggressive and provocative lyrics, contribute to the raw, confrontational sound that is typical of the industrial rock genre.

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

B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, B, C#, G