Music Theory Alchemy

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“Everything In Its Right Place” by Radiohead is a harmonically adventurous piece with an unconventional structure that features a mixture of modal and borrowed chords. The piece has an impressionistic quality influenced by classical lineage, while also regularly employing electronic and synthesized sounds.

** The chord progression in Verse 3 of Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” is a combination of diatonic and non-diatonic chords in the key of A major, featuring the use of suspended chords, 9th chords, and 6th chords. The progression has a tonally ambiguous and ethereal quality, which is characteristic of Radiohead’s style.

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“Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails features a melancholic and introspective chord progression. The song is predominantly in the key of B minor. The verse and outro sections revolve around the Bm, D, and E chords, while the chorus uses a progression of Bm, G, D, A. The use of borrowed chords enriches the harmonic landscape, adding depth to the composition.

This is a beautiful chorus from “Rocket Man,” a song by Elton John. The overall vibe of the song is nostalgic and melancholy, largely due to the combination of key changes, chord progression, and Elton John’s vocal melody. The song appears to be in the key of G major.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Ramona” by Beck is an interesting mix of diatonic and borrowed chords that creates a unique and somewhat unexpected harmonic landscape. It combines major and minor chords, borrowed chords from the parallel minor key, and chromatic chords, making a rich harmonic texture.

Radiohead – Everything In Its Right Place – Chorus

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Chord Progression

F, C, Db, Eb, F, C, Db, Eb, F, C, Db, Eb, C, Db, Eb, C, Db, Eb, C, Db, Eb, C, Db, Eb

Chord Progression Analysis

Fmaj (‘I’), Cmaj (‘V’), Dbmaj (‘bVI’), Ebmaj (‘bVII’), Fmaj (‘I’), Cmaj (‘V’), Dbmaj (‘bVI’), Ebmaj (‘bVII’), Fmaj (‘I’), Cmaj (‘V’), Dbmaj (‘bVI’), Ebmaj (‘bVII’), Cmaj (‘V’), Dbmaj (‘bVI’), Ebmaj (‘bVII’), Cmaj (‘V’), Dbmaj (‘bVI’), Ebmaj (‘bVII’), Cmaj (‘V’), Dbmaj (‘bVI’), Ebmaj (‘bVII’), Cmaj (‘V’), Dbmaj (‘bVI’), Ebmaj (‘bVII’)

Borrowed Chords:
`Dbmaj (‘bVI’), Ebmaj (‘bVII’)`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Space Oddity” by David Bowie:
Cmaj (‘I’), E7 (‘V7/IV’), Fmaj (‘IV’), Fm (‘iv’), Cmaj (‘I’), Fmaj (‘IV’), Gmaj (‘V’), Amaj (‘VI’), Am (‘vi’), Cmaj (‘I’)

2. “Paranoid Android” by Radiohead:
Bm (‘i’), E (‘V/vi’), G (‘VI’), B7 (‘vii°’), Emaj7 (‘ii°’), F#m (‘iii’), G (‘VI’), Ab7 (‘bVII+7’), A (‘vii°/iii’), E (‘V/vi’), Bm (‘i’)

3. “Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles:
Dbmaj (‘I’), Bbm9 (‘ii9’), Fm7 (‘iv7’), Gbmaj7 (‘V7’), Gb6 (‘V6’), Fm7-5 (‘iv7-5’), Ab7 (‘VI7’)

These examples, while showcasing different styles and artists, showcase a similar approach to chord progressions as “Everything In Its Right Place” by using diatonic and borrowed chords, exploring different tonal centers, and creating rich harmonic results.

Musical Analysis

The shifting tonal centers in “Everything In Its Right Place” create a sense of suspense and resolution throughout the chorus. Starting with the Fmaj chord, the listener may initially assume the key center is F. However, the introduction of Dbmaj and Ebmaj – borrowed chords from the parallel minor – adds new harmonic elements and richness to the progression. It is also interesting to note the alternating pattern of diatonic and borrowed chords, which further emphasizes the tension and release throughout the progression.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression of Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” is unique and complex, which contributes to the dreamy, atmospheric, and rich harmonic content prevalent in the song. Its ambiguous key center and shifting tonal centers create a sense of fluidity and unpredictability, commonly observed in Radiohead’s style. The chorus features a blend of diatonic and borrowed chords from parallel keys, which creates a colorful, almost impressionist quality to the progression.

Style Analysis

Radiohead is known for their experimentation with harmony, melody, rhythm, and texture. In “Everything In Its Right Place,” the suspended tonality, rich harmonic language, and atmospheric sound create an emotional and ambiguous quality, which is characteristic of their work. The mix of diatonic and borrowed chords contributes to the expressive nature of the song and expands the harmonic palette from a typical pop song. These elements are consistently found in Radiohead’s music, revealing their complex and distinct compositional style.

Chords in the Chorus section of Everything In Its Right Place by Radiohead are:

F, C, Db, Eb, F, C, Db, Eb, F, C, Db, Eb, C, Db, Eb, C, Db, Eb, C, Db, Eb, C, Db, Eb