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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

“Hey You” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock song from the concept album “The Wall.” The song is characterized by its atmospheric sound created through a combination of acoustic and electric guitars, haunting vocals, and a variety of effects. The chord progression of Verse 3 is interesting as it features a mix of diatonic chords, borrowed chords, and extensions such as the add9 chords that contribute to the song’s unique sound.

“Lost Cause” by Beck from the album “Sea Change” showcases a melancholic and heartfelt mood with a slow tempo, exuding a sense of introspection and vulnerability. The song can be described as a folk-rock ballad with subtle touches of country and indie rock.

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is based primarily around the C minor 7 chord, giving the song its dark and moody atmosphere. The song is in the key of C minor. This chord progression is repetitive and simple, allowing other aspects of the song, such as the lyrics and production, to take center stage.

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“Viva la Vida” mostly utilizes a four-chord progression thorough the song which is fairly common in popular music. The verse we are focusing on replicating the verse goes like this: C – D – G – Em. The chord progressions are pretty simple, catchy and give the song an uplifting feel.

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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