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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.

“Something I Can Never Have” by Nine Inch Nails is a song with a dark and moody atmosphere. The chord progression in both the verse and chorus of the song features certain borrowed chords and chromatic tones that give the piece this distinctive quality. The song seems to be in the key of C Major, but certain chords from the parallel minor key (C Minor) are used to create a sense of tension and emotional turmoil.

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“Here Comes the Sun” written by The Beatles is a seminal work from the Beatles’ output in pop music. The piece is composed in a modified strophic form with a circular pattern augmented with a repetitive and distinct bridge that modulates in key. The use of major chords and open voicings gives the song a sunny and positive feel, hence its title. It’s also notable for its mixed use of diatonic and borrowed chords, contributing to its unique sound.

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This particular section is mostly based in the key of F major and highlights Freddie Mercury’s love for moving from the classical I-ii-V progression to the jazz-inspired I-IV-ii-V, often followed by a jazzy II-V-I. In this part of the song, you will find some interesting use of borrowed chords and leading tones, contributing to the chromaticism that enriches the progression.

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

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By presuming the piece to be in the key of E minor, the chords can be designated as:

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E minor (i), A minor (iv), C Major (♭VI), G Major (♮III)
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Note: The G Major could be considered a borrowed chord from the parallel major scale (E Major).

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Similar Chord Progressions

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A similar chord progression (though transposed and slightly modified) can be found in Radiohead’s “Karma Police.” Both songs use retrogression in a similar way.

Here’s the chord progression of “Karma Police” in the section: Am, F, Em, G:

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A minor (i), F Major (♭VI), E minor (v), G Major (♭VII)
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Note that the Em to G movement in “Karma Police” parallels the E to G movement in “Every Day Is Exactly the Same”.

More common/popular progressions like vi-IV-I-V or ii-V-I don’t share the same characteristics with this Nine Inch Nails piece but they are frequently used in pop and rock genres.

Musical Analysis

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The recurring bridge pattern creates an aural impression of unsatisfied expectation and relentless repetition, resonating well with the theme of the song, where each day is exactly the same for the protagonist. The borrowed G Major chord allows for a mood shift, generating tension and a bit of an unsettled feeling. However, the transition from G Major to E minor (a retrogression) brings us back to the beginning of the pattern, thereby reinforcing the cyclical and monotonous pattern.

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Overall Analysis

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“Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails has an interesting chord progression, particularly in the bridge, which adopts a distinct pattern of E, A, C, G repeatedly. This song is classified under Industrial Rock and utilizes repetition impressively to create a sense of monotony and frustration, akin to the lyrical theme.

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Style Analysis

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Nine Inch Nails, an industrial rock band, typically leans into dissonance and unconventional musical structures to convey strong, often distressing emotions. In this song, the combination of a repeated four chord sequence (that includes a borrowed chord) and Trent Reznor’s emotive vocal delivery generate a sense of despair and exhaustion. The song is arranged with multiple layered synthesizer sounds, creating a dense and atmospheric musical texture.

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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’]