Radiohead – Creep – Verse 3
Creep < All Analyses
Chord Progression
G, B, C, Cm
Chord Progression Analysis
G major (I) – B major (III) – C major (IV) – C minor (iv)
`The C minor chord (iv) is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (G minor).`
Similar Chord Progressions
1. The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (verse): A minor (i) – A Major (I) – C# minor (iv) – G Major (VII)
2. David Bowie – “Space Oddity”: C major (I) – E minor/F major (III / VI) – F major (IV) – F minor (iv)
3. Muse – “Muscle Museum”: E major (I) – G# major (III) – A major (IV) – A minor (iv)
These examples illustrate the use of borrowed chords and unconventional progressions in popular music. They demonstrate that other artists have employed similar techniques to create emotive and captivating songs.
Musical Analysis
The progression starts with the tonic chord (G major), establishing a sense of stability. It then moves to B major, a major chord built on the mediant (III) of the G major scale. This chord is quite unusual in a major key, as it is typically expected to be a minor chord (B minor).
Next, the progression continues to C major, the subdominant (IV) chord. This chord is quite common in popular music and offers some resolution before the final twist in the progression.
The last chord, C minor (iv), is borrowed from the parallel minor key (G minor), which makes it chromatic and adds another layer of tension and unsettledness. This borrowed chord is responsible for the dark, melancholic atmosphere of “Creep.”
Overall Analysis
“Creep” by Radiohead is a song in the key of G major that gained significant attention for its melancholic lyrics and distinctive chord progression. The verse chord progression features major chords, followed by a switch to a minor chord, which creates an unexpected twist and contributes to the emotive quality of the song. This specific progression is relatively rare in popular music but has been used in various other songs.
Style Analysis
“Creep” is generally classified as alternative rock, with its introspective lyrics, distorted guitar sound, and the unique chord progression that defies typical songwriting conventions. The use of borrowed chords, such as the prominent C minor (iv), is a practice that can be traced back to classical music traditions and remains relatively uncommon in modern pop and rock music.
What are the chords in: Radiohead – Creep – Verse 3?
G, B, C, Cm
