Music Theory Alchemy

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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.

“You And Whose Army?” by Radiohead is an alternative rock song featuring an interesting chord progression in the bridge. The chord progression is characterized by its dynamic movement and integration of non-diatonic chords. The progression is in the key of C# minor, and it displays unique qualities that allow it to stand out from traditional chord progressions. The combination of borrowed chords and voice leading creates a sense of tension and excitement, which contributes to the song’s overall atmosphere.

“Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead is a haunting and introspective ballad that features an evocative chord progression. The progression appears to have been influenced by alternative rock and combines elements of both major and minor tonalities, as well as non-diatonic and diatonic chords. This blend of harmonic flavors creates an unforgettable sound that is melancholic, yet beautiful.

The progression from B to A to E is a common progression in pop and rock music. This progression utilizes diatonic and non-diatonic chords, meaning that the chords all belong to the same key and it suggests the use of borrowed chords. A Perfect Circle tends to use a lot of downward motion in their chord progressions, moving from higher to lower pitches, which can give their music a distinct ‘heavy’ feel.

The song “Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails has a dark and moody atmosphere, characterized by the repetitive chord progression that sets the gloomy tone. This prolific use of chords throughout snippets of the song creates a musical portrait of monotony and disillusion which is reflective of the song’s title and lyrics. Looking at the chords provided from the second verse, this mood is accomplished through the consistent use of minor tonalities and alternation between two power chords – E and C.

Radiohead – Everything In Its Right Place – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’), Fmaj (‘IV’), Cmaj (‘bVII’), Dbmaj (‘bI’), Ebmaj (‘bIII’)

Borrowed Chords:
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Cmaj (‘bVII’) – Borrowed from the parallel mixolydian mode
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Muse – “Map of the Problematique”
Chord Progression: Dmin (‘i’), Amaj (‘IV’), Bb (‘V’), Gmin (‘iv’)

2. The Beatles – “Let It Be”
Chord Progression: Cmaj (‘I’), Gmaj (‘V’), Amaj (‘VI’), Fmaj (‘IV’)

Though these examples differ in the exact chords used or their order, they share a similar sensibility in borrowing chords and creating tonal ambiguity with modal mixture. Remember, the similarity lies in concept and commonality of borrowing chords, rather than the exact progression.

Musical Analysis

“Everything In Its Right Place” exhibits a strong sense of modal mixture by borrowing chords from parallel modes. In this case, Db major and Eb major chords form the primary key center. In addition to the modal mixture, certain chords like F major add a sense of surprise and tension, which contrasts with the cycling nature of the progression. The progression revolves around bI-bVII-bIII chords throughout verse 2, reinforcing the hypnotic and cyclic nature of the song. This verse modulates between Db major and Eb major, creating a somewhat unresolved undercurrent complementing the shifting chords.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

The chord progression in “Everything In Its Right Place” is characterized by its unusual and experimental nature. By combining chords from different modes and having unexpected leaps in pitch, the progression defies traditional harmony rules. This is consistent with Radiohead’s style, which often brings avant-garde and unconventional elements into their musical compositions, frequently employing borrowed chords, modal mixtures, and polyrhythmic structures.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Everything In Its Right Place by Radiohead are:

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