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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.

“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.

The outro of “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin features a simple alternating chord progression between G major and A major, which creates tension by avoiding a resolution to the tonic or dominant chords. This makes the progression sound unstable, yet well defined as it repeats. The recurring ascending motion creates a sense of lift throughout the outro, while the lack of a true resolution maintains a feeling of unease. This progression is notable for its simplicity, as well as how it invokes a modal sound that is characteristic of the mixolydian mode often used in rock music.

“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys is one of their most well-known pieces and a primary example of the sophisticated harmonic writing characteristic of the group’s 1966 “Pet Sounds” record. This piece is particularly designed in the key of A major. The Outro of the song includes the following chords: ‘A’, ‘E/G#’, ‘F#m7’, ‘E/G#’ and many other chords throughout the song with complex chord changes that might not be typical in a pop song, but are characteristic of the band’s sound.

“When Doves Cry” by Prince features an unorthodox chord progression compared to many pop or rock songs from the era. The chord progression in the Outro as well as throughout the song remains constant, which underscores the plaintive mood of the song and lyrics. The progression: Em – F – G in the Outro contains borrowed chords from the parallel minor. This introduces a sense of ambiguity to the overall tonality.

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

The outro of this piece follows a three-chord progression for the most part, with a repetition of the sequence D, E, Bm. This would be an IV-v-i progression in the key of B Minor. Translates to:
“`bash
D Major (‘IV’)
E Major (‘v’)
B Minor (‘i’)
“`
For reference, the v chord is actually a borrowed chord from the parallel major key of B Major, as the natural state in a minor key would have been E minor.

Similar Chord Progressions

Many songs utilize similar chord progressions. The IV-v-i progression finds a close relative in the IV-V-I progression, synonymous with songs like “Let it Be” by the Beatles. The difference lies in the final chord being major instead of minor. Another song demonstrating a chromatic mediants relationship similar to D, E, Bm would be “Creep” by Radiohead.

“Let it Be” by The Beatles:
“`bash
C Major (IV)
G Major (V)
F Major (I)
“`
“Creep” by Radiohead:
“`bash
G Major (‘I’)
B Major (‘III’)
C Major (‘IV’)
C Minor (‘iv’)
“`

This IV-v-i progression used in “Hurt” is fairly unique in the sense that it uses the major V instead of the expected minor v in a minor key. The borrowed chord combined with the melancholic B minor allows Nine Inch Nails to craft a hauntingly beautiful soundscape, characteristic of their music.

Musical Analysis

The D major and E major chords lend a sense of uplifting resolve since both chords are principals in the parent scale of B minor. This, coupled with the heavy use of B minor creates a deep, melancholic mood that is typical for Nine Inch Nails and their dark alternative brand of rock music. The progression doesn’t leave the tonic B Minor too far behind, giving the song a somber atmosphere.

Overall Analysis

“Hurt”, written by Nine Inch Nails, exudes melancholy and despair through a slow progression that weaves intricate melodies between the chords. The tonality is primarily in B minor, but introduces D, E, A, and G chords throughout, indicating some mode mixture or borrowed chord use.

Style Analysis

“Hurt” encapsulates the industrial rock style of Nine Inch Nails, which combines elements of rock with electronic music. The simple, repetitive chord progression gives room for the haunting lyrics and intense, emotional vocals. The use of the borrowed chord helps create an unexpected shift in the tonality, adding to the unsettling nature of the music.

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

[‘D’, ‘E’, ‘Bm’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘Bm’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘Bm’, ‘D’, ‘E’]