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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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 verse 2 chord progression of Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” demonstrates a combination of diatonic and non-diatonic chords with tonal ambiguity, frequent use of borrowed chords from parallel modes, and modulation. The progression has a cyclic, hypnotic quality with occasional surprises due to large leaps in pitch and unexpected, non-diatonic chords.

The song “Ceilings” by Lizzy McAlpine is in the key of G Major, employing a mixture of major, minor, and additive chords to create a progression that lends itself to a pop/folk atmosphere. The song is largely composed of diatonic chords in the key of G Major, with an occasional use of a B7, which can be seen as a secondary dominant to Em.

“Goodbye Blue Sky” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album, “The Wall.” It is known for its haunting, ethereal quality, achieved through the use of predominantly minor chords, lush harmonies, and a slow, atmospheric tempo. The song’s lyrics and melancholic mood reflect feelings of loss and desolation.

The chorus of “Perfect Situation” by Weezer features a fairly straightforward chord progression using diatonic chords from the G major scale. The progression is composed primarily of the tonic (I), dominant (V), and submediant (vi) chords, with a focus on their harmonic interplay. This creates a catchy and memorable chorus, which is characteristic of Weezer’s style and is often found in pop and rock music.

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