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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.

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“Sour Times” by Portishead is a song with a complex and intriguing chord progression. It blends minor key tonality with modulations and chromaticism to give it a mysterious and brooding atmosphere. The song is primarily in the key of C# minor and features some borrowed chords and inversions that color the overall progression.

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The Sound Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1964, is a solid example of folk rock genre transitioning into what we now know as classic rock. The chord progression is straightforward yet powerful, and it perfectly complements the beautifully written lyrics and evocative vocal harmonies. Furthermore, the song is written in A minor, a key that is often associated with sadness, which enhances the melancholic and introspective feelings conveyed by the lyrics.

The song “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John is brilliantly harmonized, showcasing the great musical arrangement skills of John at his best. Primarily, the song is based in the key of C Major and uses a variety of moving bass lines over mostly diatonic chords in the verses and choruses. There are some key modulations and borrowed chords that give the harmony a rich and complex quality which sets it apart from many contemporary pop songs.

Verse

The song “I Will” by The Beatles is an example of their unique and sophisticated approach to pop songwriting, demonstrating their comprehensive mastery of harmony within the pop idiom. The majority of the harmonies used in the song are diatonic to the key of C major, however there are several instances of borrowed chords that add color and complexity to the song’s overall harmonic structure.

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’]