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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“I Sat By The Ocean” by Queens of The Stone Age is written in E Major key.

“In My Head” is a good example of the band’s signature style, combining elements of rock, punk, and alternative music. The usage of primary chords is fairly standard for rock music, but the inclusion of unexpected chords like G5 and D# adds a complex flavor to the progression making it notably unique amongst other songs within the genre.

“Yesterday” by The Beatles showcases the innovative use of chord progressions that the group is known for. This song, unlike their other songs, includes borrowed chords and numerous secondary dominant chords. It also uses their favored approach of mixing chords from parallel major and minor scales, hence creating a ‘blended’ modal effect.

Moreover, it uses a mixolydian ♭7 in the main chord sequence, which is quite a popular trick among songwriters for shifting the tonic of a song.

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is a dark and provocative piece built upon a relentless, driving chord progression and sinuous melodies. The downbeat feel and chromaticism contribute to the brooding, unsettling mood of the song, which is a hallmark of the industrial rock genre. The piece is in the key of B minor.

The song “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails is in the key of B minor. The verse has a simple yet effective chord progression that revolves mainly around the i, III, and IV chords with a slight deviation towards the end. The chorus is characterized by a i-VII-III-VI progression with a slight extension. The outro mostly repeats the verse progression but is shorter.

Queens of the Stone Age – I Sat By The Ocean – Verse

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Chord Progression

[‘G#’, ‘A#’, ‘B’, ‘F#’, ‘G#’, ‘F#’, ‘E’, ‘C#m’, ‘G#’, ‘G#’, ‘A#’, ‘B’, ‘F#’, ‘G#’, ‘F#’, ‘E’, ‘C#’, ‘G#’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here is the verse chord progression analyzed in Roman numerals:

“`
G# (I), A# (II), B (III), F# (V/vi), G# (I), F# (V/vi), E (♭VI), C#m (v), G# (I), G# (I), A# (II), B (III), F# (V/vi), G# (I), F# (V/vi), E (♭VI), C# (V/v), G# (I)
“`

C#m and C# are borrowed chords. Specifically, they’re borrowed from the parallel minor of G# (G# minor).

Similar Chord Progressions

Most artists don’t have the exact same progression as this verse, but Nirvana’s “About a Girl” has similar chord structures. Though it doesn’t borrow chords, it frequently moves between the I and the (♭)VI, like the verse of “I Sat By The Ocean”.

Here’s “About a Girl”:

“`
Em (i), G (♭III),
“`

Additionally, the verse chord progression of “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers is similar. It uses the I, V/vi, vi, and IV chords – similar to the use in “I Sat By The Ocean”.

“Under The Bridge”:

“`
E (I), B (V), C#m (vi), G#m (iii), A (IV), E (I), B (V)
“`

Musical Analysis

The verse begins on the root note of G#, progressing up a whole step to A#, and another half step to B, creating a level of tension. This tension is released through a descending progression starting at F# (borrowed from the key of C# minor), back to G#, then F#, then getting resolved by moving to E (which is the bVI of G# major). This drops to the borrowed minor v chord, C#m, before going back to the I chord, G#. This pattern repeats once more but ends on C# instead of C#m, for a less resolute ending and adding more tension/resolution cycles to the progression.

Overall Analysis

“I Sat By The Ocean” by Queens of the Stone Age employs multiple chords which creates a complex and engaging harmony in the verse. The song is in the key G# major and it uses multiple borrowed chords from other keys. It’s worth noting that Queens of the Stone Age has a distinct sound that incorporates elements of stoner rock, heavy metal, and alternative rock into their material. Sizeable use of power chords that gives the song its heavy rock feel.

Style Analysis

Queens of the Stone Age are known for their unique mix of heavy elements with more standard rock traditions. This chord progression encapsulates that innovative approach. The use of borrowed chords and the balance between tension and resolution contribute to a trademarks of their hard rock style.

Chords in the Verse section of I Sat By The Ocean by Queens of the Stone Age are:

[‘G#’, ‘A#’, ‘B’, ‘F#’, ‘G#’, ‘F#’, ‘E’, ‘C#m’, ‘G#’, ‘G#’, ‘A#’, ‘B’, ‘F#’, ‘G#’, ‘F#’, ‘E’, ‘C#’, ‘G#’]