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.

“Knives Out” by Radiohead features a chord progression that combines elements of rock and jazz with a touch of chromaticism. The harmony is based in the key of C minor, but it also borrows chords from the parallel major key, creating an interesting mix of major and minor tonalities. The overall feel of the piece is melancholic and introspective, with various chord relationships contributing to this mood.

The outro of “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix uses a descending circle of fifths chord progression, which is a very common progression in many styles of music, particularly in the Baroque period and in blues-based rock music. The progression features a steady descent through the Circle of Fifths that creates a strong sense of harmony and resolution. In this context, Jimi Hendrix uses the progression to create tension and momentum, which is appropriate for an outro section.

The outro of Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” features a chord progression in the key of C Major. It includes common chords from the key, as well as some borrowed chords from the parallel minor key (C minor), which adds a level of tension and emotion to the progression. The outro has a cyclical nature, with the chords leading smoothly back into the beginning and building a sense of conclusion.

The key of the song is D major which makes it easier to analyze the chord progression according to the diatonic scale in the key of D Major.

Radiohead – Everything In Its Right Place – Outro

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Chord Progression

F, C, Db, Eb

Chord Progression Analysis

F major (I) – C major (V) – D♭ major (♭VI) – E♭ major (♭VII)

`D♭ major and E♭ major are borrowed chords from the parallel minor (F minor).`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Creep” by Radiohead: (‘I) – (‘V) – (‘♭VI) – (‘♭III)

2. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics: (‘I) – (‘♭VI) – (‘♭VII) – (‘V)

3. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve: (‘I) – (‘I) – (‘♭VI) – (‘♭VI)

While these similar chord progressions have different chord arrangements, they all make use of borrowed chords and modal mixture to achieve an emotional, distinctive sound.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression, which makes use of borrowed chords from the parallel minor, is quite unusual and adds a distinct flavor to the song. F major, the tonic chord, provides a sense of stability, while the subsequent chords add increasing levels of tension before looping back to the starting point.

Using borrowed chords, such as the D♭ major and E♭ major from the parallel minor, provides a sense of modal mixture to the progression. This creates an intriguing balance between the expected diatonic chords and unexpected modally borrowed chords, effectively maintaining a sense of tension that works well in the context of Radiohead’s ambient, experimental sound.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

“Everything In Its Right Place” is a clear example of Radiohead’s inclination towards experimenting with unconventional chord progressions, structures, and textures. The band, known for pushing the boundaries of rock and alternative music, embraces the use of electronic elements, synthesizers, and audio manipulation in this piece. The harmonic choices and overall atmosphere of the song contribute to its haunting, otherworldly quality.

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

F, C, Db, Eb