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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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).

“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.

“Hallelujah” is a song by singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley and is a cover of a song originally written by Leonard Cohen. The song is in the key of C major and features a moderate tempo with a 6/8 time signature. This particular chord progression, taken from the second verse, consists mainly of diatonic chords found within the key, but also includes a few borrowed chords and a secondary dominant, giving the song a sense of tension and release.

“Feeling Good” by Muse is a cover of the song originally written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1964 musical “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd”. Muse’s version is characterized by its distinct blend of jazz, rock, and pop influences, with strong orchestration and stylistically unique elements that give the song a modern edge while still paying homage to its classic roots.

“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane is a pop/rock song written in the key of A Major, although the chord progression given seems to be transposed to the key of C Major. It is characterized by its use of repeated motifs and sequenced chord progressions to create a sense of familiarity and typical of the pop genre.

Queens of the Stone Age – Like Clockwork – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

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Here’s the listing of the full chord names, their respective roles in the key of F# minor (assuming that as our tonic), along with notation of any borrowed chords:

– F# minor (‘i’)
– A Major (‘III’)
– E Major (‘VII’)
– C# minor (‘iv’) – this could be seen as a borrowed chord from F# Major.

“`
[‘F# minor (i)’, ‘A Major (III)’, ‘E Major (VII)’, ‘C# minor (iv)’]
“`

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Similar Chord Progressions

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Though not identical, a somewhat similar chord progression can be found in Radiohead’s “Creep,” and Muse’s “Time Is Running Out.” While these songs don’t use the same chords, the use of primarily minor chords and deviation from typical pop progressions is a common thread among these artists.

The progression in “Creep” is:

– G Major (‘I’)
– B Major (‘III’)
– C Major (‘IV’)
– C minor (‘iv’) – this is a borrowed chord

“`
[‘G Major (I)’, ‘B Major (III)’, ‘C Major (IV)’, ‘C minor (iv)’]
“`

The progression in “Time Is Running Out” is:

– D minor (‘i’)
– A# Major (‘VI’)
– F Major (‘III’)
– C Major (‘VII’)

“`
[‘D minor (i)’, ‘A# Major (VI)’, ‘F Major (III)’, ‘C Major (VII)’]
“`

Musical Analysis

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This progression is interesting in that it deviates from the standard circle-of-fifths pattern seen in much of popular music. The progression moves from i to III, which is a fairly common progression. Then it jumps to VII followed by iv, which is more unexpected. This creates a unique, sombrero sonic texture, which is a signature of Queens of the Stone Age’s harmonic style.

The unique element of this progression is the C# minor chord, formed by raising the third degree of the scale from what would be expected in the key of F# minor. This sort of harmonic shift is a typical element of rock music, used to create an unexpected and unique sound that adds interest to the composition and catches the listener’s ear.

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Overall Analysis

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Looking at the entire song and isolating the verse, the chord progression provided shows a rock style often seen in Queens of the Stone Age compositions. The harmonic language of this song and its progression style fall within the realm of Pop / Rock music, with frequent use of minor chords suggesting a somber or introspective mood. On first glance, it appears to contain chords primarily from the key of F# minor, with no obvious borrowings from other keys. However, a closer inspection will allow us to delve deeper into their harmonic function.

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Style Analysis

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The use of minors combined with a melody that likely uses elements of the harmonic minor scale or natural minor scale is indicative of Queens of the Stone Age’s style. They often use darker, minor-based tonalities, with atypical chord progressions and melodies to preserve their gloomy and somber sonic atmosphere. This, combined with their aggressive guitar playing and rhythmic complexity, gives them a distinct sound within the rock genre.

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Chords in the Verse 2 section of Like Clockwork by Queens of the Stone Age are:

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