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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.

Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” is an alternative rock ballad from their 1995 album, “The Bends.” The moody and atmospheric track is characterized by its emotive vocal delivery, contrasting dynamics, rich arrangement, and engaging chord progression. This progression, in particular, features an interesting mixture of diatonic and borrowed chords that create a sense of tension and resolution throughout the piece.

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“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones is arranged in a minor key, specifically E minor. The verse chord progression of the song exhibits a fairly common pattern in 60’s rock and pop music, incorporating the use of both diatonic chords and borrowed chords from the parallel major key.

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“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley is a well-known example of a poignant, introspective ballad with a mix of pop, folk, and gospel elements. It features intricate, emotionally evocative chord progressions that move beyond typical diatonic patterns and uses borrowed chords to create an emotionally charged atmosphere.

“Let It Be” by The Beatles utilizes a very accessible and effective chord progression throughout the song. This progression is designed to create tension and release as it progresses, as well as establish the root key of the song, which is C Major.

The chords used throughout the song show a strong use of borrowed chords, inversions, and extensions, adding to the depth and complexity of the song despite the relatively uncomplicated chord progression.

The balance between the root key, dissonance, resolution, and overall harmony creates an emotive and engaging song that maintains listener interest and displays the songwriting abilities of The Beatles.

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