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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Radiohead’s “Nude” showcases a unique blend of minor and major chords within the key of E major, highlighting the band’s signature non-traditional approach to harmony. It features borrowed chords, as well as chromatic and diatonic motion between some chords.

“Somewhere Only We Know” composed by Keane, is a pop-ballad that is based in the key of A Minor. It makes use of both diatonic and borrowed chords in a modern pop style progression that creates an oscillating feel, with repetition for familiarity and simple melody drawn from the underlying chords.

“Buddy Holly” is a song by Weezer with an upbeat, pop-rock feel. It exists in the key of A major and showcases a recurring chord progression in its verse consisting of F#m, E/G#, and A.

The chord progression of Verse 1 from Radiohead’s “Motion Picture Soundtrack” features a fairly simple harmony with some unique embellishments. The common use of suspended chords and added extensions give the progression its distinctive atmosphere and modern sound.

Radiohead – Everything In Its Right Place – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

Dbmaj7 (b♭II), Cmaj7#11 (‘I#11), Ebmaj7 (♭III), Dbmaj7 (b♭II), Cmaj7#11 (I#11), Ebmaj7 (♭III), Dbmaj7 (b♭II), Cmaj7#11 (I#11), Ebmaj7 (♭III), Dbmaj7 (b♭II), Cmaj7#11 (I#11), Ebmaj7 (♭III), Fmaj7 (IV), Cmaj7 (‘I’), Dbmaj7 (b♭II), Ebmaj7 (♭III)

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Borrowed chords: Dbmaj7 (b♭II), Ebmaj7 (♭III)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder – “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life”
Chord Progression: Cmaj7 (I), E7#9 (III#9), A7 (VI), Dmin7 (ii), G7 (V)

2. The Beatles – “Something”
Chord Progression: Cmaj7 (I), C7 (I7), FMaj7 (IV), Bbmaj7 (bII), Am7 (vi), D7 (V7/V)

3. Imogen Heap – “Hide and Seek”
Chord Progression: Ebmadd9 (i), Dbmaj9 (bVII), Bbsus2 (V2), Gbmaj7 (bVI)

While these examples may not have the exact same chords or progressions as “Everything In Its Right Place,” they each exhibit a sense of harmonic exploration and experimentation similar to Radiohead’s work, combining modal interchange and borrowed chords to create unique and expressive progressions.

Musical Analysis

The verse alternates between a b♭II – I#11 progression, which is a common technique in modal interchange, and a ♭III chord that adds a sense of ambiguity with its borrowed nature. The progression is mainly utilizing the Lydian mode, but also borrows chords from other modes, like the Phrygian (b♭II) and the Mixolydian (♭III).

Towards the end of the sequence, it switches from the b♭II – I#11 progression to a plagal cadence (IV – I; Fmaj7 – Cmaj7), which provides a sense of resolution before transitioning back to the other progression (b♭II – ♭III).

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

Radiohead is known for incorporating unusual and complex harmonic structures into their songs, and “Everything In Its Right Place” is a perfect example of their signature experimental style. The piece combines an atmospheric ambiance with a harmonic density that is rooted in the electronic sounds, forming a dense wall of sound. This progressive lyricism is combined with electronic synthesizers to create a modern and ethereal texture.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Everything In Its Right Place by Radiohead are:

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