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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Everything In Its Right Place” by Radiohead is an experimental and ambient piece released in 2000 as part of their album “Kid A.” The piece defies traditional pop and rock song forms, delving more into the territory of electronic and experimental music. The outro chord progression is simple but intriguing, serving a hypnotic and unresolved quality that keeps the listener engaged.

“Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead is a haunting and introspective ballad that features an evocative chord progression. The progression appears to have been influenced by alternative rock and combines elements of both major and minor tonalities, as well as non-diatonic and diatonic chords. This blend of harmonic flavors creates an unforgettable sound that is melancholic, yet beautiful.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day, released in 2004, is an alt-rock anthem that largely follows a 4-chord progression throughout the song. The key signature of the song is E minor (derived from the root chord), and essentially all chords used in the song are diatonic, meaning they are derived from the scales of the key. The chorus shifts to a progression in C Major. However, it returns to E minor at the end.

The chorus of Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” utilizes a chord progression that elevates the song’s emotional resonance, serving as a climactic counterpart to the reflective verses. This section combines lush harmonies with straightforward pop sensibilities, creating a poignant and memorable musical moment that aligns with the song’s thematic exploration of self-awareness and complexity.

“Sour Times” by Portishead is characterized by dark, brooding sounds and melancholic melodies that gives the song its distinct feel, largely due to the specific chord progression that is used throughout the song. Written in the key of E major, the song makes use of a diverse selection of chords that offers a wider blend of harmonic options to navigate through different moods and tonal landscapes.

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