“Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails is primarily composed in the key of E minor. The song consists of four sections: Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, and Bridge. The chord progressions in the song are relatively simple, with a distinct alternation between E and C chords in the verses, while the chorus and bridge sections feature a broader range of chords such as A, C, and G.
Chord Progression Analysis (Verse 2):
E minor (i), C major (VI), E minor (i), C major (VI), E minor (i), C major (VI), G major (III), F major (♭VII; borrowed chord from E Phrygian), E minor (i)
*G major (III) and F major (♭VII) are both non-diatonic chords in E minor, with the F major chord being borrowed from the E Phrygian mode.
The song “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails mainly consists of a six-chord progression (Bm, G, D, A, Bm, G), repeating four times in the chorus. The sixth repetition alters the ending (Bm, G, A, B), and the key of the song is B Minor.
“Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins features a chord progression that uses a lot of power chords (fifth chords) which demonstrates its grungy, rock oriented style. It also incorporates major, minor, and suspended second chords, making it an interesting combination of simplicity and complexity.
“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails works within a minimalist musical framework, where a few shiftless chords and tension-filled pentatonic melodies define the song. It inculcates a dark atmospheric mood through its instrumentation and harmony. The repetitive and consistent use of the Cm7 chord creates a haunting, pulsating groove that add to the atmospheric layer of the song.
“Ceilings” by Lizzy McAlpine, draws its magic from a mix of interesting chord progressions and different rhythms. The use of added notes in several chords (Cadd9, Emadd9) introduces additional color into the mix, creating a rich and thoughtful atmosphere. The tonality of the song is in G Major, despite the liberal use of the Cadd9 in the progression. We’ll use this tonality for the Roman numerals.
E, C, E, C, E, C, G, F, E, C, E, C, E, C, G, F, E, C, E, C, E, C, G, F, E, C, E, C, E, C, G, F, E
E, C, E, C, E, C, G, F, E, C, E, C, E, C, G, F, E, C, E, C, E, C, G, F, E, C, E, C, E, C, G, F, E
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