Queens of the Stone Age – Like Clockwork – Chorus 2
Like Clockwork < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘B’, ‘G#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘C#m’, ‘B’, ‘G#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘C#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘C#m’, ‘B’, ‘C#m’]
Chord Progression Analysis
The most dominant chords in the song are F#m, A, E, and C#m, and these form the basis of the verses. The chorus has a different chord progression which you outlined as:
Here’s the full chord name, Roman numeral, and borrowed chord status respectively:
“`
B Major (IV),
G# minor (iii),
F# minor (ii),
D Major (bVII *Borrowed from F# Dorian*),
C# minor (i),
B Major (IV),
G# minor (iii),
F# minor (ii),
D Major (bVII *Borrowed from F# Dorian*),
C# minor (i),
F# minor (ii),
D Major (bVII *Borrowed from F# Dorian*), C# minor (i), B Major (IV), C# minor (i).
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
The use of minor keys and uncommon chord progressions can also be seen in other bands’ work. A similar progression can be found in Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” with a surprising use of borrowed chords to add tension and interest. Another example can be found in Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb”, where David Gilmour uses extensive chord progression techniques to paint a haunting and ethereal soundscape.
Musical Analysis
The song has a dark, melancholic tone, indicated by the minor key and the progression of minor chords and facilitated by the key of F# minor. The predominant use of minor chords in the progression encapsulates a dark, gloomy, and powering atmosphere. The borrowed chords like D Major inject some elements of surprise and interest, and they also help in traversing between the verses and the choruses.
Overall Analysis
The “Like Clockwork” track by Queens of the Stone Age showcases a wide range of harmonic complexity. The track is in the key of F# minor and it is characterized by non-traditional chord progressions. From the range of chords used within the song, it’s clear that the song deviates from strict diatonic harmony, and freely borrows chords from parallel keys (modal mixture).
Style Analysis
Queens of the Stone Age is known for their balance of hard rock elements and melodic elements, and this is reflected in “Like Clockwork”. The chord progression of the song speaks to the band’s broader approach to songwriting, where the hard rock sound is modulated with chords from across the tonal spectrum to give the song a moody, atmospheric quality.
What are the chords in: Queens of the Stone Age – Like Clockwork – Chorus 2?
[‘B’, ‘G#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘C#m’, ‘B’, ‘G#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘C#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘C#m’, ‘B’, ‘C#m’]
