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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“It’s A Fire” by Portishead is a song characterized by its frequent modulations and use of borrowed chords, making it a considerable complexity in terms of harmony. It features transition from key centers and borrowed chords from other keys, which creates tension and resolution creating the signature moody and intense atmosphere Portishead is known for.

“Sour Times” by Portishead is characterized by dark, brooding sounds and melancholic melodies that gives the song its distinct feel, largely due to the specific chord progression that is used throughout the song. Written in the key of E major, the song makes use of a diverse selection of chords that offers a wider blend of harmonic options to navigate through different moods and tonal landscapes.

“Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls is a song in the key of D Major, and uses a very common pop/rock chord progression. The sheer repetition of the progression throughout the verse establishes a solid harmonic background upon which the melody can freely roam. Chords include the primary triads (I, IV, V) which are D, G, A, minor variations of the secondary triads (ii, iii, vi), which are Em, F#m, Bm.

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a psychedelic rock song often regarded as one of their finest works. It’s innovative from both a melodic and harmonic perspective, using complex chord structures, chromatic touches, and key changes. The song is primarily in the key of E major.

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“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones is arranged in a minor key, specifically E minor. The verse chord progression of the song exhibits a fairly common pattern in 60’s rock and pop music, incorporating the use of both diatonic chords and borrowed chords from the parallel major key.

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Portishead – Its A Fire – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘Gsus4’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘Gsus4’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘E’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Chord Progression: [‘Gsus4’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘Gsus4’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘E’]

Translating chords to Roman Numerals (Assuming G Major as our key):

Gsus4 (Isus4)
G (I)
Bm (iii)
D (V)
F (♭VII / a borrowed chord from G minor)
Gsus4 (Isus4)
G (I)
Em (vi)
G (I)
Em (vi)
G (I)
F (♭VII / a borrowed chord from G minor)
E (vi / a borrowed chord from G minor)

“`
Full Chord name (‘Roman Numeral)
Gsus4 (Isus4)
G (I)
Bm (iii)
D (V)
F (♭VII)
Gsus4 (Isus4)
G (I)
Em (vi)
G (I)
Em (vi)
G (I)
F (♭VII)
E (VII)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

The chromaticism and complex harmonic structures in “It’s A Fire” bear similarities to those found in many works of Radiohead, especially “Paranoid Android,” and in some of the darker pieces of David Bowie such as “Life on Mars.”

Radiohead – Paranoid Android:
[‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘B’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘F#’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘B’]

David Bowie – Life on Mars:
[‘F’, ‘Em’, ‘Dm’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘Bb’, ‘Am’, ‘Bb’, ‘Dm’, ‘Em’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘Em’, ‘F’].

Note: For the purpose of this analysis, assume that these songs are in the keys of E minor and F major, respectively.

Musical Analysis

The use of suspended chords and borrowed chords in this song suggests a sense of emotional ambiguity, shifting between tension and release. Additionally, the resolution from Gsus4 to G creates a tension-release pattern that gives a color characteristic of Portishead’s style.

Overall Analysis

The song “It’s A Fire” by Portishead features complex harmonic structures, distinguished by a fusion of pop, rock, and elements of jazz harmonies. The band, known for their trip-hop style, employ chromatically richer harmony and non-diatonic chord progressions in this piece. The chord progression of ‘It’s A Fire’ is consistent with this approach as we see the frequent use of suspended and minor chords alongside major ones, which creates a sense of unresolved tension. Borrowed chords, usually taken from the parallel minor or major key, are also used frequently to add stylistic color to the harmony.

Style Analysis

Portishead is known for their unique fusion of electronic music, hip hop beats, and jazz elements, a style often referred to as trip hop. Their use of complex chord structures, borrowed chords, and non-diatonic harmonies is consistent with the genre’s mood-setting characteristics, offering an intricate texture and emotional depth that’s distinguishing of their style.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Its A Fire by Portishead are:

[‘Gsus4’, ‘G’, ‘Bm’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘Gsus4’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘E’]