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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd is a classic progressive rock song from their 1979 concept album “The Wall”. It features unique chord progressions, ambient guitar tones, and an atmospheric vocal performance. This particular verse progression is inspired by the Dorian mode, contributing to its melancholic and introspective atmosphere.

The second guitar solo in “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd is based on a simple five-chord progression, spanning two diatonic tonalities (i.e., B minor and G major). This progression heavily relies on the B Aeolian mode (or natural minor scale) and showcases the band’s affinity for modal interchange and progressive rock elements.

“Paper Tiger” by Beck is a unique and stylistic piece, displaying a blend of various genres and influences. The verse 2 chord progression is quite simple, but the harmonic choices create tension and provide a sense of movement throughout the progression. Combining the elements of rock, folk, and alternative music, this chord progression is both intriguing and musically satisfying.

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Beck’s “Say Goodbye” showcases a unique blend of chords that are not commonly heard together in popular music. The mix of major, minor, and borrowed chords creates an interesting and engaging sound. Its distinctive quality can be found in the use of the A# major chord, which is not diatonic to the key of G major.

Verse 2 of Grizzly Bear’s “Yet Again” presents a straightforward harmonic progression that is common in pop and indie rock music. This series of chords is mainly built around the key of A minor, and uses diatonic chords (those that naturally occur within the key) of this key. The recurring sequence (Am, G, C, F, F, Em, C, Dm) indicates a strong sense of familiarity and predictability, characteristic of many pop/rock anthologies.

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