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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).

The song “3s and 7s” by Queens of the Stone Age is in the key of A# minor. The chord progression predominantly features three chords: A#m, G#, and F. The progression utilizes elements of rock and metal music, characteristic of the band’s style. The composition has a darker feel brought by the use of minor chords and dropped tuning, which is frequently employed in harder styles of rock music.

The chord progression in verse 2 of Stephen Sanchez’s “Until I Found You” is tonal and grounded in the key of G major throughout. The progression follows a strong, clearly structured pattern with repeated use of the G, Bm, C chords and a concluding D chord used to transition to the following sections. Stephen Sanchez makes significant use of the I-iii-IV chord progression in G major (G-Bm-C), which gives the song its flowing, harmonically stable character.

“A Star Is Born – Shallow” by Misc Soundtrack uses common chords found in pop music and combines them in a fresh way. The progression makes use of diatonic chords and even includes a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key. It showcases a feasible balance of tension and resolution, often transitioning through a variety of chord inversions to add color and depth to the harmonies. The song moves around the circle of fifths, which allows for smooth transitions between keys.

The chord progression of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is particularly interesting for its use of key changes and borrowed chords. It reflects both the catchy driving pop rock melody signature of early Beatles and the sophistication of harmonic innovation, which defines their later work.

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’]