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“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.

“Yesterday” is predominantly composed in the key of F Major. The song is a classic in pop songwriting and showcases the effective use of borrowed chords to capture a unique, nostalgic sound that has made it one of the most covered songs in pop music. Specifically, in this verse, the use of secondary dominants and borrowed chords from the parallel minor key provides the song’s distinctive tonal color.

The chord progression of “Beast Of Burden” by The Rolling Stones from verse 3 appears to be a standard pop/rock progression with a bit of melodic flavor. It features the chords of E major, B major, C# minor, and A major.

The song is in the key of E Major as that’s the chord the progression starts and ends with, and most of the chords are from the E major scale. There are no borrowed chords, and the progression is repetitive, maintaining a loop throughout most of the song.

Let’s move on to the detailed chord progression analysis, chord names, and their roman numerals.

Muse’s “New Born” is a rock composition with progressive and alternative elements. The harmonic structure is simple, making use of common chords and progressions. In the given chord progression from Verse 3, there is a sense of tension and release between the major and minor chords, creating a sense of dynamics and urgency. The chord progression itself is repetitive, with subtle variations added to keep interest.

Pink Floyd – Time – Verse 3

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Chord Progression

Em7, A, Em7, A, Em7, A, Em7, A, Cmaj7, Bm7, Fmaj7, G, D7#9, D7b9, Bm

Chord Progression Analysis

Here is the chord progression with full chord names and their Roman numerals:
“`
E minor 7 (‘i7’),
A major (‘IV’),
E minor 7 (‘i7’),
A major (‘IV’),
E minor 7 (‘i7’),
A major (‘IV’),
E minor 7 (‘i7’),
A major (‘IV’),
C major 7 (‘VI7’),
B minor 7 (‘v7’),
F major 7 (‘♭II7’),
G major (‘III’),
D7#9 (‘♭V7#9’),
D7b9 (‘♭V7♭9’),
B minor (‘v’)
“`

Borrowed Chord:
“`
Fmaj7 (‘♭II7’)
— Borrowed from the E Phrygian mode
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”:
“`
A minor (‘i’),
G minor (‘♭III’),
F major 7 (‘VI7’),
F minor/M7 (‘vi7’),
A minor (‘i’)
“`

2. The Beatles – “Strawberry Fields Forever”:
“`
E minor (‘i’),
D major (‘VII’),
G major (‘III’),
A major (‘IV’)
“`

3. Genesis – “Firth of Fifth”:
“`
A minor (‘i’),
G major (‘VII’),
F major (‘VI’),
E minor (‘v’)
“`

Musical Analysis

This chord progression starts with a pattern of alternating between the Em7 and A chords, creating a sense of uncertainty and suspense. It then moves into the Cmaj7, which functions as a pivot to the v7 chord (Bm7). Following this, the Fmaj7 (borrowed from E Phrygian mode) creates a sense of tension before leading to the G major chord, providing resolution. The progression ends with two altered dominant chords, D7#9 and D7b9, further increasing the tension before ultimately resolving to B minor.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

“Time” is a prime example of Pink Floyd’s progressive rock style. The song features complex harmonies, explorations of non-diatonic chords, and unconventional chord progressions. The song also showcases the band’s penchant for using meaningful lyrics and storytelling, as well as blending rock and psychedelic elements with lush orchestration.

Chords in the Verse 3 section of Time by Pink Floyd are:

Em7, A, Em7, A, Em7, A, Em7, A, Cmaj7, Bm7, Fmaj7, G, D7#9, D7b9, Bm