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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd is an iconic rock ballad from their 1975 album of the same name. The song’s verse chord progression evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, featuring a combination of major and minor chords, as well as borrowed chords and inversions that create a unique and emotional soundscape.

“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.

“Save Me” by Queen is in the key of G Major and it features a number of modulations to closely related keys. It resonates a distinct rock ballad style incorporating unique variations of common chord progressions from rock and pop genres. The progression’s utilization of inverted chords also brings depth and character to the melody.

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The verse 2 chord progression from Muse’s “New Born” reflects their signature harmonic daring and interesting relationships, which provides this piece with a fresh and captivating sound. The progression features a blend of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, as well as key shifts and chromaticism. It utilizes major-minor modal interchange and emphasizes the Em – B relationship throughout.

The progression is in the key of C major. The use of the Bb major is known as modal interchange, where a chord that is not in the key is borrowed from a parallel key, which in this case is C minor. This contributes an interesting tone color to the overall sound. The chord progression does consist a use of slash chords (C/B, C/G) which adds a more complex bassline creating a more harmonically active feeling, and yielding more tension and release.

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

C, D/F#, Am/E, G, D/F#, C, Am, G

Chord Progression Analysis

C Major (‘I’), D Major/F# (‘V/V’), A minor/E (‘vi’), G Major (‘V’), D Major/F# (‘V/V’), C Major (‘I’), A minor (‘vi’), G Major (‘V’)

Borrowed Chord:
`D Major/F# (‘V/V’)`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Progression: Am (‘vi’), G (‘V’), Am/G (‘vi/V’), Am/F# (‘vi/♯IV’), Am/F (‘vi/IV’), Am/E (‘vi’), D (‘II’), E (‘III’)

2. Led Zeppelin – “Stairway To Heaven”
Progression: Am (‘vi’), G (‘V’), F (‘IV’), Am (‘vi’), G (‘V’), F (‘IV’), C (‘I’), D (‘II’)

Note that these progressions share some similarities but are not identical to the chord progression in “Wish You Were Here.” The main aspect they have in common is the usage of secondary dominants or borrowed chords, and the general classic rock aesthetic.

Musical Analysis

The song is in the key of C Major. The progression begins with the tonic chord, C Major (‘I’), providing a sense of stability. It then moves to D Major/F# (‘V/V’), which is a secondary dominant chord that borrows from the parallel key (C Lydian or G Major, depending on interpretation). This borrowed chord sets up an expectation for the resolution to the G Major chord (the V of C Major), however, the progression instead moves to A minor/E (‘vi’)—a deceptive resolution—creating a sense of longing in the music. Finally, the G Major (‘V’) chord appears and resolves back to the C Major (‘I’) chord, completing the progression.

The presence of the slash chords (D/F# and Am/E) adds a smoothness in the bass line movement and increases harmonic interest, while maintaining an overall sense of consonance.

Overall Analysis

“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd is a classic rock ballad from their 1975 album of the same name. The song features an introspective and expressive melody with a predominantly acoustic instrumentation. The chord progression for Verse 2 demonstrates a blend of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, with borrowed chords from parallel modes, which adds to the emotional depth of the piece.

Style Analysis

Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” is noted for its introspective lyrics and mellow, almost melancholic style. This is creatively reflected in the chord progression, which combines conventional diatonic chords with the secondary dominant D Major/F# to add a level of sophistication and depth. The combination of acoustic guitar and the chord progression creates an intimate and emotional atmosphere, in line with the reflective nature of the lyrics.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd are:

C, D/F#, Am/E, G, D/F#, C, Am, G