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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Glory Box” by Portishead from the album Dummy (1994) presents a haunting and somewhat melancholy ambience commonly found in their trademark trip-hop style. This song, in particular, draws from a palette of jazz-influenced harmony. The chords used, their extensions, and inversions, conjure complexity beyond basic triadic harmony. The chord progression listed appears to be in the key of D minor and employs common jazz techniques like ii-V-I progressions and usage of the half-diminished chord.

The song, “Sour Times” by Portishead, is in the key of C# minor. The chord progression of the chorus that you’ve provided swings between three chords (F#m7, Emaj7, D#7) four times before ending on a C#m chord. It suggests a II – I – VII progression in the chorus, which is rare and distinctive in contemporary music genres. This choice of chord progression creates a mysterious, dark, and contemplative mood, characteristic of the trip-hop genre that Portishead propounds.

The chord progression in the chorus of Beck’s “Lord Only Knows” is in the key of B Major and features some chromaticism and borrowed chords that give it a unique and somewhat unexpected sound. The chords move predominantly in fourths and fifths. The nature of the progression is reminiscent of rock and folk music, but Beck’s quirky and stylistic approach also evokes an alternative feel.

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“Let It Be” is one of The Beatles’ most popular songs and features a primarily major tonality (C Major), giving it its iconic uplifting and inspiring quality. The song’s chord progression is quite standard in terms of pop/rock music, yet it does include some interesting elements like inversions and a 7th chord to add variety and emotional depth.

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The given chord progression is from the chorus of “Earfquake” by Tyler, The Creator, a contemporary hip-hop and neo-soul artist. The progression features a smooth and mellow tonality, characterized by the use of 7th chords. The chord progression is in the key of Bb Major and showcases the use of mostly diatonic chords with a repetition that contributes to the song’s catchy nature.

Portishead – Glory Box – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘Dm’, ‘Dm/C’, ‘Bm7b5’, ‘Bbmaj7’, ‘Dm’, ‘Dm/C’, ‘Bm7b5’, ‘Bbmaj7’, ‘Dm’, ‘Dm/C’, ‘Bm7b5’, ‘Bbmaj7’, ‘Dm’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
Dm (‘i’)
Dm/C (‘i with VII in the bass’)
Bm7b5 (‘vi half-diminished’)
Bbmaj7 (‘♭VI Major 7’)
Dm (‘i’)
Dm/C (‘i with VII in the bass’)
Bm7b5 (‘vi half-diminished’)
Bbmaj7 (‘♭VI Major 7’)
Dm (‘i’)
Dm/C (‘i with VII in the bass’)
Bm7b5 (‘vi half-diminished’)
Bbmaj7 (‘♭VI Major 7’)
Dm (‘i’)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead’s “Exit Music (For A Film)” also utilizes a minor to major seventh movement, though in a different key:
“`
Am (‘i’)
E (‘V’)
G (‘♭VII’)
Dmaj7 (‘IVmaj7’)
“`

2. Billie Eilish’s “when the party’s over” uses a similar pattern to start, moving from minor to half-diminished:
“`
Fmaj7 (‘I’)
Fm7 (‘i’)
G7 (‘V’)
Fmaj7 (‘IV’)
“`

Musical Analysis

This progression is quite intriguing, utilizing a mixture of chord types – minor, half-diminished, and major seventh – that adds considerable depth to the piece. This progression does not follow a typical pop/rock pattern but rather leans into Portishead’s characteristic trippy, brooding style. The chord transitions smoothly thanks to common tones and stepwise movement in the bass.

Overall Analysis

The “Glory Box” by Portishead chorus progression is based in D minor and moves between this primary D minor chord and three other chords: Dm/C, Bm7b5, and Bbmaj7. The Dm/C chord is the same as the D minor, but with a different note in the bass (C). The Bm7b5 is a half-diminished chord. The Bbmaj7 is major seventh chord.

Style Analysis

Portishead is known for their unique, cinematic blend of styles known as trip-hop, which marries elements of jazz, rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. The unusual chord progression in “Glory Box” helps create the moody, atmospheric sound that defines this song and much of their work. The progression’s focus on dark, minor chords and half-diminished chords highlights their jazz influences, while the bass movement underscores the rhythmic drive found in hip-hop and electronic music.

Chords in the Chorus section of Glory Box by Portishead are:

[‘Dm’, ‘Dm/C’, ‘Bm7b5’, ‘Bbmaj7’, ‘Dm’, ‘Dm/C’, ‘Bm7b5’, ‘Bbmaj7’, ‘Dm’, ‘Dm/C’, ‘Bm7b5’, ‘Bbmaj7’, ‘Dm’]