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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

“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.

This chord progression is in the key of C Major, but incorporates a variety of borrowed chords and slash chords that add complexity and color to the song. It’s a good example of how Elton John takes popularly-used chord progressions and puts his own unique spin on them.

“Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones, off their 1971 album Sticky Fingers, is in the key of C major, and primarily uses the chords C, F, G and Bb. This song showcases the band’s blues rock influences, built on a repetitive, riff-driven chord progression. The use of I, IV, V, and a borrowed bVII (Bb), which is common in the blues, creates an appealing and familiar sound, helping the song resonate with listeners.

“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane is a pop/rock song written in the key of A Major, although the chord progression given seems to be transposed to the key of C Major. It is characterized by its use of repeated motifs and sequenced chord progressions to create a sense of familiarity and typical of the pop genre.

Nine Inch Nails – Every Day Is Exactly The Same – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

[‘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’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The chord progression in Verse 2 is: E, C, E, C, E, C, G, F (repeated three times, followed by E). Considering that this is based in the key of E minor, the roman numeral analysis, with full chord names would be:

“`
E minor (‘i’), C major (‘VI’), E minor (‘i’), C major (‘VI’), E minor (‘i’), C major (‘VI’), G major (‘III’), F major (‘bII’)
“`
The F major chord is a borrowed chord, often called a ‘Neapolitan chord’. It’s not in the key of E minor but is frequently used in music for its distinctive sound, and to create tension that resolves back to the tonal center. In this case, the F major adds an unexpected twist to the otherwise monotonous progression, before resolving back to E minor.

Similar Chord Progressions

Well-known songs that utilize a similar chord progression, albeit in different keys, include Radiohead’s “Creep” and the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind”. Both songs feature a four-chord progression that includes major chords I, III, VI (flat), and iv.

Radiohead’s “Creep” (G, B, C, Cm) – with roman numerals it is:

“`
G major (‘I’), B major (‘III’), C major (‘IV’), C minor (‘$iv’)
“`

Pixies’s “Where Is My Mind” (E, Abm, A, B):

“`
E major (‘I’), Ab minor (‘biii’), A major (‘IV’), B major (‘V’)
“`

While there aren’t exact matches, they share a similar sense of dissonance through the unusual jumps and additional minor chord present within a major key that is quite akin to the E minor to C major transition seen in “Every Day Is Exactly The Same”.

Musical Analysis

In the context of harmonic analysis, the verse primarily alternates between E minor and C major. This constant alternation creates a sense of unease, in accordance with the song’s theme. The inclusion of G major provides some relief to this tension. The F major chord acts as a tool of surprise, adding to the distressing nature of the song.

Overall Analysis

The song “Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails has a dark and moody atmosphere, characterized by the repetitive chord progression that sets the gloomy tone. This prolific use of chords throughout snippets of the song creates a musical portrait of monotony and disillusion which is reflective of the song’s title and lyrics. Looking at the chords provided from the second verse, this mood is accomplished through the consistent use of minor tonalities and alternation between two power chords – E and C.

Style Analysis

It’s important to note that Nine Inch Nails is known for utilizing dissonance and suspense in their music to create unique and distinctive sounds. This is reflected in the song’s structure and chord progression. Overall, the song’s mood and style are a hallmark of the industrial rock genre, with the repetitive chord sequence underscoring the angst and frustration evident in the lyrics.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Every Day Is Exactly The Same by Nine Inch Nails are:

[‘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’]