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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chorus of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” is a perfect example of their signature sound, combining both rock and progressive elements. The harmonic structure is simple yet effective, providing a sense of resolution and stability throughout the progression. This, combined with the smooth melodic lines, gives listeners a feeling of being “comfortably numb.”

“Goodbye Blue Sky” by Pink Floyd is a beautifully haunting piece with a chord progression that demonstrates their innovative use of borrowed chords and modulation to explore various tonal centers. The song is generally in the key of A minor.

The song “Ceilings” by Lizzy McAlpine utilizes fairly simple, yet effective, chord changes that are quite common in popular music. This progression primarily takes place in the key of G major, but borrows chords from the parallel minor scale and adds extensions to the chords to add depth and color.

“Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones is performed in the key of G major. However, the initial chord progression beginning on B minor gives it a modal feel, specifically borrowing chords from G Lydian mode (IV of D Major). It’s an interesting mixture of folky rock with a touch of the blues, and the chord progression is largely based around the typical I-IV-V progression found in many rock songs, but with many deviations and additions.

Key: G Major

“Heart Is A Drum” by Beck, from the album Morning Phase (2014), features a simple but effective chord progression in the key of C major. This song can be classified as alternative folk rock, and the harmonies used in the chord progression are quite common in this genre, as well as popular music in general. The progression creates a sense of nostalgia and emotional resonance, elevated by Beck’s lyricism and vocal delivery.

Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

Bsus2, Bm, A, G, Em, Bm, Bsus2, Bm, A, G, Em, Bm

Chord Progression Analysis

| Bsus2 (IVsus2) | Bm (iv) | A (‘V) | G (IV) |
| Em (ii) | Bm (iv) | Bsus2 (IVsus2) | Bm (iv) |
| A (‘V) | G (IV) | Em (ii) | Bm (iv) |

The chord progression features both borrowed chords and substitutions. Specifically, Bsus2 (the suspended chord) is an embellishment of the Bm which is borrowed from the parallel key (D minor). The borrowed chords are as follows:

“`
Bm (iv)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Let It Be”: [‘C (I)’, ‘G (V)’, ‘Am (vi)’, ‘F (IV)’, ‘C (I)’, ‘G (V)’, ‘F (IV)’, ‘C (I)’]
2. Radiohead – “Karma Police”: [‘Am (i)’, ‘Em (v)’, ‘G (III)’, ‘Am (i)’, ‘F (VI)’, ‘G (VII)’, ‘Am (i)’, ‘Em (v)’]

While these chord progressions are not exactly the same, they share similarities in terms of blending major and minor chords to create a sense of melancholy, as seen in “Comfortably Numb”.

Musical Analysis

The progression begins with Bsus2, which then resolves down to the Bm chord. This creates an initial sense of tension and release, effectively introducing the melancholy tone of the verse. Then, the progression moves to A, the dominant chord. This progression from Bm to A helps connect the listener to the home key, D major.

Following this, there is a change from the major tonality to a more minor feel with the progression of G to Em. This shift contributes to the melancholic atmosphere, emphasizing a feeling of longing or nostalgia. The progression then moves back to Bm, creating a loop that maintains the overall tone of the song while also giving it a sense of continuity and structure.

Overall Analysis

“Comfortably Numb” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album, The Wall. It is written in the key of D major and has a slow, dreamy tempo. The second verse of the song features a chord progression that is a blend of major and minor chords, giving the song a sense of melancholy mixed with a calming atmosphere. It also deviates from the typical pop/rock chord progressions, signifying Pink Floyd’s distinct sound and innovative use of harmony.

Style Analysis

Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” is heavily influenced by progressive rock and concept album styles, which are marked by experimental and innovative uses of harmony, structure, and instrumentation. The unique chord progression in the second verse of the song, characterized by its blend of major and minor chords and the inclusion of the borrowed Bm chord, is an example of Pink Floyd’s unique approach to harmony, which sets them apart from other artists.

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

Bsus2, Bm, A, G, Em, Bm, Bsus2, Bm, A, G, Em, Bm