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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 chord progression in Welcome To The Machine by Pink Floyd features a combination of diatonic chords and some extensions to create a lush, ethereal sound. The progression mainly circulates around the key of E minor, with added color tones and an emotional center created by the interplay of chords such as the major 7th and the addition of the 9th degree to certain chords.

The chord progression in question is from the verse 2 of Weezer’s “The Good Life.” It is a pop-rock song in the key of G major, and the progression features common chords found in the key, with one borrowed chord – B7 – to add a touch of tension and harmonic interest.

Chord Progression Analysis (with Roman Numerals): G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – E Major (VI) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A minor (ii) – B7 (`V7/iii`)

The borrowed chord in question is the B7, which is borrowed from the relative minor key (E minor) and functions as a secondary dominant to the iii chord (B minor).

The verse 2 chord progression from Muse’s “New Born” reflects their signature harmonic daring and interesting relationships, which provides this piece with a fresh and captivating sound. The progression features a blend of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, as well as key shifts and chromaticism. It utilizes major-minor modal interchange and emphasizes the Em – B relationship throughout.

“Come Together”, released by The Beatles in 1969 on their Abbey Road album, is a rock song known for its catchy bass-line, cryptic lyrics and iconic chorus. It’s written in D minor key, a common key in rock music. Across the progression, there is not only an interesting mix of different chords but also a novel use of borrowed chords that play a significant role in making the song mysterious, intriguing, and unique.

Pink Floyd – Breathe – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

Em, A7, Em, A7, Em, A7, Em, A7

Chord Progression Analysis

Em (i) – A7 (IV7)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Doors – “Riders on the Storm”
Chord progression: Em9 (i9) – A7 (IV7)
2. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Chord progression: Am (i) – G (bVII) – Am (i) – G (bVII)
3. Led Zeppelin – “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”
Chord progression: Am (i) – C (III) – G (bVII) – Am (i) – C (III)

These examples follow a similar alternation between a minor chord (usually the tonic) and another chord, either borrowed from the parallel major (as in “Riders on the Storm”) or invoking a sense of tension and resolution (as in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”).

Musical Analysis

The chord progression consists of two chords: Em, which is the tonic or home chord, and A7, which is the dominant seventh chord built on the fourth scale degree in the key of E minor. The A7 chord is borrowed from the parallel major key (E major), which is why it is considered a borrowed chord in the progression. The alternation between these two chords creates a sense of movement throughout the entire verse. The dominant seventh chord (A7) brings tension and instability in the progression, making the listener eager to hear the resolution to the tonic chord (Em).

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

Pink Floyd’s music often delves into the realms of space rock, progressive rock, and psychedelic rock. The alternating Em and A7 chords in the “Breathe” verse serve as a perfect example of Pink Floyd’s ability to create an ethereal, otherworldly, and hypnotic atmosphere within their music. The simplicity and repetitiveness of the chord progression, combined with Pink Floyd’s trademark use of effects and atmospheric sounds, give “Breathe” its unique sonic character.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Breathe by Pink Floyd are:

Em, A7, Em, A7, Em, A7, Em, A7