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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chorus of the Pink Floyd song “Breathe” features a mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords and creates a dreamy, spaced-out mood. The combination of major and minor seventh chords, as well as dominant 7th chords with altered 9ths, contributes to this atmospheric quality.

The given chord progression is from the verse of Pink Floyd’s “Breathe,” a song from their 1973 album, “The Dark Side of the Moon.” The progression consists of alternating Em and A7 chords throughout the entire verse. This creates a sense of movement and tension between the chords while also being relatively simple and repetitive. The harmonic back-and-forth between these two chords gives the song a dreamy and immersive quality that is a signature sound of Pink Floyd’s style.

The song “Killer Queen” by Queen is primarily set in the key of F Major, while the Chorus 1 is in the key of G Major. The song’s harmonic voice leading and progressions reveal a sophisticated and nuanced approach that involves a continuous change of tonal center and utilization of secondary dominant and borrowed chords.

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is an iconic psychedelic rock track marked with rich harmonies and sophisticated musical elements. The song is primarily constructed around the key of A, but it employs several modal mixtures and non-diatonic chords, contributing to its intriguing tonality.

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles is in the minor mode and its chord progression showcases rich harmonic content and unexpected key changes, common to The Beatles’ music. Harmonically, it features an interesting mixture of chords from the parallel major and minor keys, which is indicative of modal interchange, a key characteristic of The Beatles’ songwriting.

Pink Floyd – Breathe – Chorus 1

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Chord Progression

Cmaj7, Bm7, Fmaj7, G, D7#9, D7b9

Chord Progression Analysis

C Major 7 (I) – B Minor 7 (ii♭) – F Major 7 (IV♭) – G Major (V) – D7♯9 (V7/ii) – D7♭9 (V7♭9/ii)

Borrowed Chords:
“`
B Minor 7 (ii♭)
F Major 7 (IV♭)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Steely Dan – “Peg”
Chorus Chord Progression:
D Major 7 (I) – Db7♯9 (V7♯9/V) – Cmaj7 (IV♭) – Bm7 (iii) – Em7 (vi) – A13 (V9)

2. The Beatles – “Something”
Bridge Chord Progression:
E♭maj7 (I♭) – A♭maj7 (IV) – B♭7 (V) – E♭maj7 (I♭) – Gm7 (iii♭) – E♭maj7 (I♭) – A♭maj7 (IV) – B♭7 (V)

These examples contain some similar elements, including the use of major and minor seventh chords and unexpected harmonic turns, which are also found in the chorus of Pink Floyd’s “Breathe.”

Musical Analysis

The chord progression starts with the tonic Cmaj7, providing a stable and established tonal center. The following Bm7 is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, C minor, and introduces chromaticism and tension. The Fmaj7 is another borrowed chord from C minor, providing a temporary sense of resolution with its smooth and calm character.

The G major chord acts as the dominant V in the key of C major, pointing to the eventual resolution, but the progression takes an unexpected turn with the D7♯9. This D7♯9 is an altered dominant chord resolving to the Bm7, functioning as the secondary dominant (V7/ii). The D7♭9 then replaces the previously mentioned D7♯9, which is another altered dominant chord, creating more dissonance while maintaining the same function.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the chorus of “Breathe” by Pink Floyd is a non-diatonic progression, meaning it does not strictly follow a specific key. The progression features some borrowed chords and a dominant seventh alteration. The style is influenced by blues and jazz, with a relaxed and reflective mood.

Chorus 1

Style Analysis

“Breathe” showcases Pink Floyd’s blending of rock, blues, and jazz elements in a psychedelic context. The use of major and minor seventh chords, dominant alterations, and borrowed chords create a lush and dreamy atmosphere that is characteristic of their music. The harmonic structure is unique and contains unexpected twists, adding to the depth and expressiveness of their compositions.

Chords in the Chorus 1 section of Breathe by Pink Floyd are:

Cmaj7, Bm7, Fmaj7, G, D7#9, D7b9