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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

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 “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver is written in the key of G Major. The chord progression in the bridge made use of the four main chords in this key, which are G, Em, C, and D along with an interesting use of the F chord, which is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key of G minor.

“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys is highly complex and represents an exceptional use of harmonic structuring. The richness of the piece lies in Brian Wilson’s innovative and unpredictable songwriting, who was making significant use of modulation at the time, constantly shifting keys, in this case especially during the transition bridge.

The bridge of Beck’s “Think I’m In Love” is an interesting combination of chords, showcasing unusual harmonic choices and unexpected modulations. The tonal center of this progression appears to be ambiguous, as several key centers are explored throughout the progression, creating a sense of harmonic tension and release.

Nine Inch Nails – Every Day Is Exactly The Same – Bridge

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Chord Progression

E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E

Chord Progression Analysis

Bridge: E (i) – A (IV) – C (♭VI) – G (III)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Muse – “Knights of Cydonia” (Em – A – C – G)
Chord Progression: E minor (i) – A major (IV) – C major (♭VI) – G major (III)
2. Radiohead – “Karma Police” (Am – D – G)
Chord Progression: A minor (i) – D major (IV) – G major (♭VII)
3. Four Non Blondes – “What’s Up?” (A – Bm – D – A)
Chord Progression: A major (I) – B minor (ii) – D major (IV) – A major (I)

These examples of similar chord progressions by other artists showcase the use of borrowed chords and movement between major/minor keys. Each of the songs mentioned above feature distinct alterations in their chord progressions, yet still maintain a similar atmosphere or mood found in “Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails.

Musical Analysis

The bridge of the song consists primarily of a four-chord progression that repeats several times. It starts with the tonic E minor (i), followed by a borrowed chord A major (IV) from the parallel major key, then the C major (♭VI) chord, and finally the G major (III). This chord progression creates a sense of tension and release, as the tonic chord moves to a borrowed major chord, and then to a more stable ♭VI chord that tends to resolve back to the tonic.

Overall Analysis

The given chord progression is from the song “Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails. The overall structure of the song consists of verses, choruses, and a bridge, each with distinct chord progressions that contribute to the song’s moody, melancholic atmosphere. The song is mostly in the key of E minor, with some borrowed chords from the parallel major key.

Style Analysis

Nine Inch Nails is known for their unique blend of industrial and alternative rock music. Their songs often make use of dark, brooding chord progressions, unusual time signatures, and layered textures. In the case of “Every Day Is Exactly The Same,” the borrowed chords and the repetitions of the chord progression in the bridge contribute to the song’s haunting and sorrowful atmosphere, which is characteristic of the band’s style.

Chords in the Bridge section of Every Day Is Exactly The Same by Nine Inch Nails are:

E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E, A, C, G, E