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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails features a melancholic and introspective chord progression. The song is predominantly in the key of B minor. The verse and outro sections revolve around the Bm, D, and E chords, while the chorus uses a progression of Bm, G, D, A. The use of borrowed chords enriches the harmonic landscape, adding depth to the composition.

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.

The outro of “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix uses a descending circle of fifths chord progression, which is a very common progression in many styles of music, particularly in the Baroque period and in blues-based rock music. The progression features a steady descent through the Circle of Fifths that creates a strong sense of harmony and resolution. In this context, Jimi Hendrix uses the progression to create tension and momentum, which is appropriate for an outro section.

The Rolling Stones’ “As Tears Go By” is primarily in the key of G major and follows a Verse-Verse-Verse-Outro structure. The harmony is relatively simple, incorporating primarily diatonic chords from the G major scale as well as a few borrowed chords and inversions.

Chord Progression Analysis (Outro):
G Major (I) – A Major (V/vi, borrowed from E minor) – C Major (IV) – D Major (V) – G Major (I)

The chord progression of MGMT’s “Electric Feel” outro is in E Minor, and it features a combination of diatonic chords and a borrowed chord from the parallel major key. The progression creates a sense of tension and resolution, giving the outro a captivating and memorable quality. The song itself is a psychedelic, funk-infused electro-pop track, which enhances the trippy, mesmerizing vibe of the progression.

Nine Inch Nails – Hurt – Outro

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Chord Progression

D, E, Bm, D, E, Bm, D, E, Bm, D, E

Chord Progression Analysis

Outro:
– D major (IV)
– E major (V)
– B minor (i)
Repeated five times

The chords used in the outro are diatonic to the key of B minor, and none of them are borrowed chords.

Similar Chord Progressions

– Radiohead – “Exit Music (For a Film)” – Chord Progression: Am, C, D, G, Emin, C, G, D
– Johnny Cash – “I See a Darkness” – Chord Progression: Dm, C, Bb, A
– Nirvana – “Something in the Way” – Chord Progression: Em, C, G, Em

While each of these examples may not be exact matches, they share a similar mood and simplicity in the chord progressions and are representative of the melancholic and haunting theme found in the song “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails. The chord progressions, as well as the emotional tone, can be seen through the use of minor keys and the sparse, introspective nature of the songs.

Musical Analysis

The harmonic progression used in the outro (IV-V-i) creates a sense of resolution and closure, with the subdominant (IV) moving to the dominant (V) and then resolving to the tonic (i). This progression has a strong sense of movement and tension, which contributes to the emotional impact of the song.

Overall Analysis

The song “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails has a tonal center around the key of B minor, as it is the most prominently featured chord in both the verse and chorus sections. The verse features a simple three-chord progression (Bm-D-E), and the chorus introduces additional chords (G, A). The outro mainly repeats the chords from the verse. The style of the piece can be characterized as haunting, melancholic, and somewhat minimalistic with only a few chords creating the harmonic landscape.

Style Analysis

The style of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails can be described as a melancholic, haunting, and introspective, with its slow tempo and intimate vocal delivery. The harmonic structure of the song is relatively simple, with a few chords and a somber key of B minor, creating a barren sound. The minimalistic chord progression, lyrical content, and production contribute to the overall moody atmosphere and introspection.

Chords in the Outro section of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails are:

D, E, Bm, D, E, Bm, D, E, Bm, D, E