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“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.

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 Muse’s “Feeling Good” is in the key of G minor and showcases an interesting and creative use of borrowed chords and inversions. The progression follows a cyclical pattern that creates tension and release throughout the verse. The style is reminiscent of soul and jazz influences with a hint of rock elements, which is a common characteristic in Muse’s music.

The verse of “All I Need” by Radiohead features a simple chord progression consisting of three main chords: C, Em, and G. It alternates between these three chords for most of the progression, with some occasional repetition of the C chord. This progression provides a consistent harmonic foundation for the vocal melody and sets a mostly stable and melancholic mood.

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.

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’]