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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 chord progression in “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is primarily centered around the Cm7 chord throughout the verses and pre-choruses, with the chorus briefly moving to the F major chord before returning back to Cm7. The song is in the key of C minor, and the chords used are mostly diatonic to the key, creating a dark and somewhat haunting atmosphere. The progression is simplistic but effective, establishing a strong sense of forward motion and tension that is fitting for the industrial rock style of the song.

“A Star is Born – Shallow” is primarily in the key of G major and has a fairly simple and straightforward chord progression with an intriguing twist toward the end. The song features a common I-V-vi-IV chord progression with an occasional ii-chord (Am) substituting for the vi-chord (Em). Then, it introducess a borrowed chord (Bm) which creates an interesting, unexpected color in the harmony.

“Paper Tiger” by Beck is a song from his album “Sea Change,” released in 2002. The style of this song is primarily alternative rock, with elements of psychedelia and baroque pop. The outro of “Paper Tiger” features a simple chord progression of E, E7, and Bm, with interesting harmonic techniques, such as secondary dominants and borrowed chords.

“1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins is written in the A major key and showcases various examples of modal interchange, also known as borrowed chords. The song switches often between the major and minor modes, providing a dynamic interplay of moods. The outro particularly stands out due to its use of both major and maj7th chords, a somewhat unusual combination. Emaj7 adds color and complexity to the progression, as a borrowed chord from the E major scale.

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