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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.

“Time” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock piece characterized by its reflective lyrics, syncopated rhythms, and distinctive use of chromaticism and modality. This chord progression takes place in the third verse of the song, where the harmonic structure is more complex and features borrowed chords, creating a sense of tension and resolution, reflecting the lyrics and conveying emotions of nostalgia and regret.

The given chord progression for Tyler, The Creator’s “Gone Gone” verse 2 is primarily in the key of Bb major with a mixture of chords from other modes. The progression displays a combination of diatonic and borrowed chords, exhibiting the stylistic blending commonly found in modern music such as jazz, R&B, and hip-hop.

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 Beatles are well known for their creative and unusual use of chords and harmonies. In “Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds”, there is a clear example of their innovative harmonic vocabulary. They employ a variety of common, borrowed, and chromatic mediant chords to create a remarkable soundscape that complements the psychedelic theme of the song.

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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