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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.

“Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails is primarily composed in the key of E minor. The song consists of four sections: Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, and Bridge. The chord progressions in the song are relatively simple, with a distinct alternation between E and C chords in the verses, while the chorus and bridge sections feature a broader range of chords such as A, C, and G.

Chord Progression Analysis (Verse 2):
E minor (i), C major (VI), E minor (i), C major (VI), E minor (i), C major (VI), G major (III), F major (♭VII; borrowed chord from E Phrygian), E minor (i)

*G major (III) and F major (♭VII) are both non-diatonic chords in E minor, with the F major chord being borrowed from the E Phrygian mode.

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, is characterized by a lush, cinematic melody that encapsulates John’s knack for crafting pop ballad choruses. Its base key is D Major, showcasing a mix of diatonic, dominant seventh, and borrowed chords. Its diverse chord progression is reflective of Elton John’s diverse influences, which include pop, rock, blues, and classical music.

“Undone – The Sweater Song” by Weezer features a chorus with a simple, yet effective chord progression that combines the use of power chords with major chords. This combination gives the song its distinctive indie rock sound and contributes to its overall catchiness. The chorus is based on a four-chord progression with three different chords, where G5 power chord is followed by two major chords, C and D.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Endlessly” by Muse is an interesting mix of chords from related keys and chromatic alterations. The overall key of the piece is D minor, but there are some unexpected twists and turns that keep the harmonic journey unique and engaging.

Nine Inch Nails – Something I Can Never Have – Chorus

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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