Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Something I Can Never Have” by Nine Inch Nails features a haunting and melancholic chord progression typical of the alternative rock and industrial rock genres. The tonality of the piece centers around the key of C major, with occasional borrowed chords and chromaticism adding emotional color and tension. The verse and chorus sections both feature a similar pattern of repeating chords as well as a descending bass line connecting the chords, giving the piece cohesion.

The song “Every Day is Exactly the Same” by Nine Inch Nails is in E minor key. The chord progression found in the chorus consists mainly of common chords found in the E minor key, along with a couple of borrowed chords from E major. The use of borrowed chords adds unique color and tension to the music.

The song, “Somebody to Love” by Queen, utilizes the classic pop/rock harmonic structure while incorporating aspects of blues and gospel music. The harmonic progression is structured around common chords found in the key of G major. However, the way these chords are ordered and arranged is unconventional and adds depth to the song. It reflects the band’s interest in pushing the boundaries of the traditional harmonic structure common in pop music of that time. Queen is known for their innovative use of harmony, which they certainly showcase in this song.

The song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is cheerful and upbeat, with accessible melodies that catch the audience’s attention immediately. The rhythm is contagious and gives a happy atmosphere to the whole song. It is a perfect example of the early influences of rock ‘n’ roll on The Beatles, with a chord progression that is quite common in pop/rock music but showcases The Beatles’ ability to create fresh and unique melodic ideas.

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.

Nine Inch Nails – Something I Can Never Have – Chorus

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

Chord Progression

C, Em, F, C/G, Em, F, C, Em, F, C/G, Em, F, Bb, Fmaj7, Ab

Chord Progression Analysis

C Major (I) – E Minor (iii) – F Major (IV) – C Major/G (I6/4) – E Minor (iii) – F Major (IV) – C Major (I) – E Minor (iii) – F Major (IV) – C Major/G (I6/4) – E Minor (iii) – F Major (IV) – Bb Major (bVII) – F Major7 (IVmaj7) – Ab Major (bVI)

Borrowed Chords:
Bb Major (bVII) and Ab Major (bVI) are borrowed chords from the parallel minor key (C Minor).

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Creep” by Radiohead – C Major (I) – E Minor (iii) – F Major (IV) – F Minor (iv)
2. “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode – C Major (I) – D Minor (ii) – F Major (IV) – Ab Major (bVI) – G Major (V)

As seen, these examples also utilize borrowed chords and the mixture of major and minor chords to create an unsettled and emotional atmosphere. Note that these progressions are not identical but share similarities in their use of chords and tonality.

Musical Analysis

The song starts with the verse in C Major, which acts as the tonal center. The verse progresses from C Major to E Minor, creating a sense of tension as the Em chord is a iii chord, which has a less stable quality. The F Major chord adds further tension as it’s the IV chord in the progression. The C/G is a C Major chord in second inversion (I6/4), and its usage adds a nice bass movement to the progression. As the progression moves from C Major to E Minor and then to F Major again, the tension builds up until the arrival of the borrowed chords Bb Major and Ab Major towards the end of the progression. These borrowed chords, together with the Fmaj7, add further color and rhythmic interest to the song.

Overall Analysis

“Something I Can Never Have” by Nine Inch Nails is a song with a dark and moody atmosphere. The chord progression in both the verse and chorus of the song features certain borrowed chords and chromatic tones that give the piece this distinctive quality. The song seems to be in the key of C Major, but certain chords from the parallel minor key (C Minor) are used to create a sense of tension and emotional turmoil.

Style Analysis

“Something I Can Never Have” is characterized by its dark and haunting atmosphere, which is largely resulting from its chord progression and the use of borrowed chords. The fluctuation between diatonic chords and the two borrowed chords creates a sense of unease and desolation, which is a common trait in Nine Inch Nails’ music. The incorporation of both major and minor chords contributes to the emotional turmoil experienced throughout the song.

Chords in the Chorus section of Something I Can Never Have by Nine Inch Nails are:

C, Em, F, C/G, Em, F, C, Em, F, C/G, Em, F, Bb, Fmaj7, Ab