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.

“Creep” by Radiohead is a song that features a well-known four-chord progression throughout the verses. This progression is G – B – C – Cm, which is often considered one of the factors that contribute to the song’s memorable and emotional quality. The chord progression helps create a melancholic and haunting atmosphere in the song. This song is notably influenced by alternative rock and grunge styles from the early 90s.

This chord progression from Radiohead’s “You And Whose Army” is in the key of C# minor, and the chords are predominantly composed of diatonic chords from the C# natural minor scale with some borrowed chords from the parallel major scale. The progression follows a looped pattern, creating a hypnotic and catchy quality which is characteristic of Radiohead’s music.

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 ‘Hey Jude’ by The Beatles is a prime example of a repeated chord progression, specifically a repeated loop of D-C-G-D. This progression is repeated throughout the last significant section of the song, often referred to as the “na na na” section, essentially becoming a kind of mantra or chant that brings the song to a sustained and palpable resolution.

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