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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

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“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails utilizes a relatively simple chord structure, which allows the song to establish a pervasive atmosphere and direct the listener’s focus on the lyrics and melodies. This piece is in the key of C minor, and the chord progression is cyclical in nature, with Verse 2 consisting of the repetition of Cm7 chord throughout.

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“Heartbreaker” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock song that utilizes a chord progression that is stereotypical of the genre. The verse and chorus unfold in the key of E minor, with the verse using primarily a cycle of Em7 and Am7. In terms of musical mood and expressivity, the progression conveys a melancholic yet energetic feeling, which is characteristic of the rock genre.

The Verse of “Us and Them” by Pink Floyd showcases a unique and non-diatonic chord progression that focuses on D mixolydian mode with added sus2 chords and an augmented chord. It deviates from traditional harmony patterns and creates a spacious, floating feel. The chords occur in a consistent pattern and are mostly slash chords with the constant presence of the D note in the bass, which further strengthens the D tonality.

“Hoppipolla” by Sigur Rós is a dreamy and atmospheric piece that showcases the band’s unique style. The chord progression in the verse consists of D#m, E, D#m, and E chords, which creates a simple and elegant harmonic structure. The use of open strings and melodically moving chords in this progression reflects the ethereal nature of this piece. This progression can be found in both rock and alternative music genres, as it uses the powerful major and minor chords found throughout these styles. The repetitive nature of the chord progression mirrors the band’s tendency to use slow-building and evolving textures in their compositions.

Nine Inch Nails – Hurt – Verse

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

Verse Chord Progression: Bm (i), D (III), E (IV), Bm (i), D (III), E (IV), Bm (i), D (III), E (IV), Bm (i), D (III), E (IV), Bm (i), D (III), E (IV), Bm (i), D (III), E (IV), Bm (i), D (III), E (IV), Bm (i), D (III), E (IV), A (VII)

Chorus Chord Progression: Bm (i), G (VI), D (III), A (VII), Bm (i), G (VI), D (III), A (VII), Bm (i), G (VI), D (III), A (VII), Bm (i), G (VI), A (VII), B (I)

Outro Chord Progression: D (III), E (IV), Bm (i), D (III), E (IV), Bm (i), D (III), E (IV), Bm (i), D (III), E (IV)

Note: There are no borrowed chords in this song.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Creep”
Chord Progression: G (IV), B (VI), C (VII), Cm (vii°)

2. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Chord Progression: Am (i), G (VII), C#o7 (ii°7), Am (i), C (III), E (V), Am (i)

3. Coldplay – “The Scientist”
Chord Progression: Dm (vi), Bb (IV), F (I), C (V)

These songs show some similarities in their use of repetitive chord progressions and combining both major and minor chords, which create a sense of melancholy or introspection.

Musical Analysis

The verse of “Hurt” uses a steady progression of i-III-IV, giving the piece a sense of melancholy by accentuating the B Minor tonality. The frequent repetition helps create a hypnotic, somber mood. The final A chord in the verse section acts as a setup for the transition into the chorus.

In the chorus, the progression shifts to i-VI-III-VII, adding a sense of hope with the major G and A chords (VI and VII). However, the pivot back to the Bm chord prompts a return to the initial tone of melancholy.

The outro shares the same chord progression as the verse, but it is shorter and serves to slowly wind down the intensity of the song, providing closure.

Overall Analysis

The song “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails is in the key of B minor. The verse has a simple yet effective chord progression that revolves mainly around the i, III, and IV chords with a slight deviation towards the end. The chorus is characterized by a i-VII-III-VI progression with a slight extension. The outro mostly repeats the verse progression but is shorter.

Style Analysis

“Hurt” is an alternative rock song that falls within the genres of dark ambient and industrial rock music. It has a sparse arrangement, with minimalist piano, guitar, and drum machine elements. The melancholic and introspective lyrics are accentuated by the somber and repetitive chord progressions.

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

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