Portishead – The Rip – Verse 1
The Rip < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Em’, ‘F’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘Bb’, ‘Am’, ‘G’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here are the full chord names along with their roman numeral representations:
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Em (‘ii’), F (‘bIII’), Em (‘ii’), C (‘VII’), Am (‘iv’), Bb (‘bV’), Am (‘iv’), G (‘III’)
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The chord F (‘bIII’) and Bb (‘bV’) are borrowed chords.
Similar Chord Progressions
1. Radiohead – “Creep”:
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G (‘I’), B (‘III’), C (‘IV’), Cm (‘iv’)
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The progression uses a borrowed minor iv chord from the parallel minor scale, similar to how “The Rip” borrows chords from parallel modes.
2. Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”:
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F (‘I’), Bb (‘IV’), Ab (‘bIII’), Db (‘bVI’)
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This progression uses the borrowed bIII chord, similar to the use of the bIII in “The Rip.”
3. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”:
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Am (‘i’), Am/G (‘i’), Am/F# (‘i’), Am/F (‘i’), Am/G (‘i’), D (‘IV’), E (‘V’), C#m (‘ii’), C (‘bII’), Bm (‘i’), E (‘V’)
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While more complex, this progression utilizes borrowed chords, tonal shifts and secondary dominants, similar to the harmonic diversity in “The Rip.”
Musical Analysis
The song, by construction, is predominantly in E minor, though it explores tonal centers around various modes, such as E Aeolian and E Dorian. The verse moves from ‘Em’ (the 2nd degree), to ‘F’ (a chord borrowed from the parallel major or the E Phrygian mode, considered the flat 3rd degree), back again to ‘Em’.
The progression then drops to ‘C’ (7th degree in E minor), to ‘Am’ (4th degree), then uses another borrowed chord ‘Bb’ (borrowed from the E Locrian mode acting as flat 5th degree), and back to ‘Am’. The verse closes with a ‘G’ (3rd degree in E minor), adding a dimension of resolution.
Overall Analysis
“The Rip” by Portishead is a classic example of the Trip-hop genre. It features simple, yet effective harmonic progressions that offer a melancholic tone which is widely utilized in this genre. The distinctiveness of this particular chord progression lies on its subtle shifting between minor and major tonalities, as well as its use of borrowed chords.
Verse 1
Style Analysis
Portishead, being key contributors to the development of the Trip-hop genre, use this progression to encapsulate the melancholic, downtempo mood. The progression isn’t complex but its mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, plus the minor to major tonality create a distinctive, haunting sound, fitting the vocal melodies and lyrics. The borrowing of chords from different modes aids to a layered soundscape, a common trait in Trip-hop.
What are the chords in: Portishead – The Rip – Verse 1?
[‘Em’, ‘F’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘Bb’, ‘Am’, ‘G’]
