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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails, released in 1994, is a well-known song distinguished by its catchy synth lines, explosive percussion, and provocative lyricism. Hinged on a distinct, repeating synth bassline, the song employs a fundamental chord progression epitomizing the alternative rock and industrial genres. Its tonal centre revolves around the key of C# minor.

“Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails utilizes a unique four-chord cycle in its chorus – ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘C’, ‘G’. The song is in the key of E minor, and therefore, the functional analysis would interpret this progression as i-IV-bVI-III. The bVI and III are borrowed chords from the parallel major scale. This chord progression creates a moody atmosphere that aligns with the overall melancholic and introspective theme of the song.

“Heartbreaker” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock song that utilizes a chord progression that is stereotypical of the genre. The verse and chorus unfold in the key of E minor, with the verse using primarily a cycle of Em7 and Am7. In terms of musical mood and expressivity, the progression conveys a melancholic yet energetic feeling, which is characteristic of the rock genre.

Paranoid Android is a progressive rock song by Radiohead from their album “OK Computer.” The song features various time signature changes, complex harmonic structures, and a blend of distorted guitar tones and strings. The given chords belong to the first verse of the song. The overall tonality of the song is predominantly centered around the C minor key. However, there are some instances of borrowed chords and chromaticism in the chord progression, which adds tension and an unstable quality to the music.

“Yesterday” by The Beatles showcases the innovative use of chord progressions that the group is known for. This song, unlike their other songs, includes borrowed chords and numerous secondary dominant chords. It also uses their favored approach of mixing chords from parallel major and minor scales, hence creating a ‘blended’ modal effect.

Moreover, it uses a mixolydian ♭7 in the main chord sequence, which is quite a popular trick among songwriters for shifting the tonic of a song.

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