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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Time” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock song that features an uncommon chord progression with some unique harmonic choices. The Verse 2 progression has a strong sense of tonal ambiguity and the chords often fluctuate between major and minor tonalities. This contributes to the emotional depth and complexity of the song, which is characteristic of Pink Floyd’s music.

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.

“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” is a pop song by Elton John from the album “Caribou,” released in 1974. The song is set in the key of C Major, with some interesting chord changes and borrowed chords that are rich and reflective of Elton John’s unique harmonic style. The chorus especially impresses with unexpected chord shifts, demonstrating a sophisticated songwriting technique.

“Little Red Corvette” by Prince is in the key of Gb Major. The song is a staple of 80’s pop and a good example of Prince’s signature sound of fusing elements from different genres, such as funk, pop, and rock. It’s a strong blend of complex chord progressions and simple, catchy melodic lines which adds a compelling depth to the music.

The chord progression in the chorus of Beck’s “Think I’m In Love” is a fairly simple one that revolves around two key centers, Ab major and Eb major. The main chords used are based on the I-IV-V structure which is common in rock and pop music. It features a major I-IV relationship and an unexpected chord, F major, which adds some harmonic interest.

Pink Floyd – Time – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, C#m7, Bm7, E

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
D Major 7 (I)
A Major 7 (V)
D Major 7 (I)
A Major 7 (V)
D Major 7 (I)
C# Minor 7 (vii)
B Minor 7 (vi)
E Major (II)
“`

borrowed chords:
“`
E Major (II)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel
Chord Progression:
“`
D Major 7 (I)
G Major 7 (IV)
D Major 7 (I)
G Major 7 (IV)
D Major 7 (I)
G Major 7 (IV)
A Major 7 (V)
“`

2. “Alone Again (Naturally)” by Gilbert O’Sullivan
Chord Progression:
“`
G Major 7 (I)
C Major 7 (IV)
F# Minor 7 (vii)
B Major 7 (III)
E Major 7 (VI)
“`

3. “” by Radiohead
Chord Progression:
“`
G Major 7 (I)
B Major 7 (III)
C Major 7 (IV)
Eb Major (bVI)
A Minor (ii)
“`

These examples feature similar chord progressions involving major seventh chords, creating a lush harmonic soundscape. Additionally, some of these songs also have borrowed chords or modal shifts, echoing the unique and emotional harmonic structure found in Pink Floyd’s “Time.”

Musical Analysis

The chorus starts with a repeated I-V (Dmaj7 – Amaj7) progression, which provides a strong sense of resolution and a feeling of floating, calming energy created by the major seventh chords. The progression then moves to C#m7 and Bm7, which serve as a smooth transition to the borrowed E Major chord, creating a temporary shift from the D major tonality.

The use of this borrowed major II chord (E Major) adds a certain degree of tension and surprise, as it’s a non-diatonic chord, highlighting the unique character of the song’s harmony. The progression then resolves back to the tonic (D major), which provides a feeling of resolution and completion of the phrase.

Overall Analysis

“Time” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock song from their iconic album, The Dark Side of the Moon (1973). The listed chords form the harmonic basis of the chorus section. The harmony is characterized by diatonic major seventh chords, interspersed with a few borrowed chords. The chorus features a fluctuating major/minor tonality, giving the song an emotional and contemplative feel.

Style Analysis

“Time” is a progressive rock song, which is characterized by the incorporation of different styles, unusual time signatures, and complex compositions. The use of diatonic major seventh chords in the chord progression adds to the richness and the atmospheric feel of the song, making it stand out from typical rock compositions.

The modality in the chords gives an ambiguous and shifting quality, which is a common element in Pink Floyd’s music, and further contributes to the progressive rock style.

Chords in the Chorus section of Time by Pink Floyd are:

Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, C#m7, Bm7, E