Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

**

“Little Sister” by Queens of the Stone Age is based in the rock genre, featuring a simple melody with strong rhythmic components, built on a mix of power, suspended and major chords. The use of the C#5 and G#5/D# chords in the verses and the F#sus4-E-G#sus4 repetition in the chorus indicate an overall key signature of F# minor.

**

This particular section is mostly based in the key of F major and highlights Freddie Mercury’s love for moving from the classical I-ii-V progression to the jazz-inspired I-IV-ii-V, often followed by a jazzy II-V-I. In this part of the song, you will find some interesting use of borrowed chords and leading tones, contributing to the chromaticism that enriches the progression.

**

“Somebody To Love” by Queen is a classic rock ballad in the key of G major, drawing heavily from influences of gospel music and blues progressions. Its bridge, aside from the characteristic gospel and rock elements, includes a modulating progression that is particularly interesting due to its use of borrowed chords, which adds contrast and emphasizes the emotive quality of the song.

**

The bridge of Beck’s “Heart Is A Drum” features a mixture of diatonic chords and borrowed chords. This creates a sense of continuous flow, which is commonly found in many popular music songs. The progression contains primary chords (G, C, and F) and a secondary chord (Dm7).

Queens of the Stone Age – In My Head – Bridge

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

[‘E’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D#’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The bridge progression in ‘In My Head’ is as follows:

“`
E Major (‘I’)
G Major (‘bIII’) (Borrowed from E minor)
D Major (‘VII’) (Borrowed from E minor)
D# (‘#vii’, Diminished, not typically found in the key of E Major)
“`
This progression employs borrowed chords from the parallel minor key (E minor in this case), which is a technique often used in rock music to integrate tonal ambiguity, tension, and release.

Similar Chord Progressions

A similar chord progression can be heard in Radiohead’s “Karma Police”, specifically in the chorus. However, it is in the key of G and uses different borrowed chords:

“`
G Major (‘I’)
Bb Major (‘bIII’) (Borrowed from G minor)
F Major (‘VII’) (Borrowed from G minor)
F# Diminished (‘#vii’ – not typically found in the key of G Major)
“`
The use of borrowed chords from the parallel minor and the use of an unconventional diminished chord in a similar manner creates a comparable sense of tonal ambiguity and tension/release in “Karma Police”. This shows that the chord progression in “In My Head” and “Karma Police” share a similar alternative rock ethos and musical sensibility.

Musical Analysis

The E Major chord as a home base chord provides a bright and open sound, while the G Major and D Major are the borrowed chords from E minor, creating a tonal balance between the comfortable key home key and the unsettling borrowed chords. The D# diminished chord acts as a leading tone to guide the progression back to the root chord, E Major. It creates an unexpected tension before resolving back to the E major, giving a surprising and edgy touch to the overall progression.

Overall Analysis

“In My Head” by Queens of the Stone Age shows a variety of complex chord progressions that are often seen in alternative rock and other sub-genres of rock music. The chord progressions seem to use a combination of modal and chromatic harmony which gives it an edgy and intriguing sound quality.

Style Analysis

The bridge’s chord progression of ‘In My Head’ is typical of the alternative rock and hard rock genres in which Queens of the Stone Age work, with its usage of borrowed chords, thereby creating a unique, edgy, and unpredictable sound.

Chords in the Bridge section of In My Head by Queens of the Stone Age are:

[‘E’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D#’]