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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 largely written in the key of C# minor, with elements of modal interchange and chromaticism that contribute to its haunting, dark sound. The song exhibits a remarkable amount of harmonic complexity and non-diatonic harmony, which is a defining characteristic of the trip-hop genre. The piece makes use of intricate inversions and chromatic voice leading, along with a frequent use of sevenths and diminished chords for added tension.

The chord progression in the verse of “Apocalypse Please” by Muse is mostly based on the F#m and C# chords, with a strong emphasis on the i and V7 relationship. The progression moves back and forth between these two chords without straying far from the Tonality of F# minor while maintaining a tension and release structure.

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is in the key of A minor and quite uniquely, the song borrows chords from parallel major and minor keys, as well as from modes like mixolydian. It is one of George Harrison’s contributions to the Beatles and showcases sophisticated harmonic techniques and an intricate chordal design, reflecting deeply on the influence of Eastern music and philosophies on his songwriting.

“Hysteria” by Muse is a song with a heavy rock style, featuring a powerful bassline and distorted guitars. The chord progression mentioned is present in the first verse of the song. This progression is characterized by the use of standard tonal harmony and minor key tonality, with some slight variations that are typical in rock music.

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’]