“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.
“Right Where It Belongs” by Nine Inch Nails features a melancholic and somewhat unconventional chord progression that moves between different tonal centers. The base key can be identified as F major from the frequency of F major chords in the progression.
“Eleanor Rigby’” is a song by The Beatles, released on their 1966 album “Revolver”. Being unusually somber and profound for a pop song, it showcases The Beatles’ expanding musical palette and their desire to move past the conventional parameters of popular music at the time. The song itself is crafted entirely around the key of E minor, with only occasional diversions to the IV chord (C Major). It strongly exhibits the use of Aeolian mode (commonly known as the ‘natural’ minor) and employs string quartet instrumentation, a unique stylistic pattern at that time.
The chord progression in the verse of “Telepatia” by Kali Uchis showcases a mix of diatonic and chromatic harmony. The progression is built around the key of G Major and has a strong Latin and jazz-influenced sound. The use of extended chords like Gmaj7 and Em9 adds depth and sophistication to the harmony, while the non-diatonic B7 contributes to the tension and resolution.
The song “The Outsider” by A Perfect Circle frequently uses the chord progression [‘B’, ‘B’, ‘A’, ‘E’] in the key of E major. When viewing the chords through the lens of E major we can identify the chord progression as ii, ii, V, I. Furthermore, It shows some interesting harmonic decisions throughout. Most notably, the band makes use of borrowed chords which are chords taken from the parallel minor (in this case E minor). Here, the borrowed chords include A major and C major.
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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