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“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.

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 Verse 2 of Radiohead’s “Nude” showcases a unique blend of minor and major chords within the key of E major, highlighting the band’s signature non-traditional approach to harmony. It features borrowed chords, as well as chromatic and diatonic motion between some chords.

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The progression in the song “The Less I Know The Better” by Tame Impala shows a combination of borrowed chords and modal mixture, with most of the chords belonging to the key of E Major. The verse chords including G# minor, C# minor, B, and E, establish a strong use of modal interchange, borrowed from the parallel minor of E.

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The progression from B to A to E is a common progression in pop and rock music. This progression utilizes diatonic and non-diatonic chords, meaning that the chords all belong to the same key and it suggests the use of borrowed chords. A Perfect Circle tends to use a lot of downward motion in their chord progressions, moving from higher to lower pitches, which can give their music a distinct ‘heavy’ feel.

Pink Floyd – Time – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

F#m, A, E, F#m, F#m, A, E, F#m, Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, C#m7, Bm, Bm7, F/B

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
F#m (vi),
A (I),
E (IV),
F#m (vi),
F#m (vi),
A (I),
E (IV),
F#m (vi),
Dmaj7 (♭VII),
Amaj7 (IV),
Dmaj7 (♭VII),
Amaj7 (IV),
Dmaj7 (♭VII),
C#m7 (iii7),
Bm (ii),
Bm7 (ii7),
F/B (♭II/♮4)
“`

Borrowed Chord:

“`
Dmaj7 (♭VII)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
“`
Bm (i),
A (♭VII),
E (IV),
G (♭III),
F# (V),
D (♭VII),
Bm (i),
G (♭III),
F#/E (♭VII/III)
“`

2. The Beatles – “Strawberry Fields Forever”
“`
E (I),
Em (i),
A (IV),
C (♭VI),
F#m (ii),
G (III),
D (V),
E (I)
“`

While these chord progressions are not identical to the one in “Time,” they share some similarities in their use of borrowed chords, unconventional harmonies, and shifting tonalities, adding intrigue and complexity to their respective songs.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression begins with a sequence of F#m-A-E-F#m, creating a 6-1-4 motion, which can be seen as a sequence of resolutions and suspensions. This sequence is followed by a change in tonality with the borrowed chord Dmaj7 (♭VII) from F# Mixolydian mode which adds a sense of surprise and uncertainty. The progression proceeds to alternate between Dmaj7 (♭VII) and Amaj7 (IV), two major chords a whole step apart, creating a sense of tension. Finally, the progression moves through C#m7, Bm, Bm7, and the unexpected F/B chord (♭II/♮4). The use of the root F instead of the expected F# introduces tension, further contributing to the emotional complexity of the song.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

The somewhat unconventional chord progression, combined with the alternating major and minor tonalities, is typical of Pink Floyd’s progressive rock style. Their innovative approach to harmony and unusual chord progressions is a defining aspect of their music, adding to their unique sound and exploring different emotional and sonic landscapes.

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

F#m, A, E, F#m, F#m, A, E, F#m, Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, Amaj7, Dmaj7, C#m7, Bm, Bm7, F/B