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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Exit Music (For a Film)” by Radiohead is a song characterized by a strong sense of melancholy and dark ambiance. The harmonic movement creates tension through the use of chromaticism, borrowed chords, and non-diatonic notes. In the verse progression, there is a mixture of minor and major chords, along with added tones that enhance the complexity and mood of the music.

“Idioteque” by Radiohead is an experimental and atmospheric electronic song, released on the album “Kid A” in 2000. The chord progression of the chorus is fairly simple, yet features some distinctive chords which create a sense of tension and release. It incorporates modal mixture and chromatic mediants, which are typical elements found in Radiohead’s music.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Say Goodbye” by Beck features a simple, yet unique combination of major and minor chords. It is primarily built around the key of G major, but includes a chromatic twist with the inclusion of the A# major chord. The progression is fairly repetitive, which provides a stable and recognizable backbone for the chorus.

“3 Libras Acoustic Live” by A Perfect Circle revolves around a rock ballad style with an alternative rock genre. It features distinctive chord progressions and some borrowing from outside of the primary key. The harmonic progression in the chorus is relatively simple but contributes to the melancholic and introspective atmosphere of the song.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Lost Cause” by Beck showcases a simple yet effective pattern utilizing major chords and a dominant seventh chord, which creates tension and resolution throughout the progression. The song is in C major, and the chords predominantly follow the diatonic harmony of the key. The style is reminiscent of folk and alternative rock, with the harmony playing a significant role in evoking a sense of melancholy in the listener.

Radiohead – Exit Music For A Film – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Gmadd11, D7/F#, Asus2, Am, Asus2, Asus4, Am/C, Esus4, Gmadd11, D7/F#, Asus2, Am, Asus2, Asus4, Am/C, Esus4, E

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
Gmadd11 (‘i’)
↳ borrowed from the Aeolian mode
|
D7/F# (‘V7/III’)
↳ secondary dominant to the III
|
Asus2 (‘III’)
↳ borrowed from the Ionian mode
|
Am (‘III’)
↳ borrowed from the Aeolian mode
Asus2 (‘III’)
|
Asus4 (‘III’)
↳ borrowed from the Ionian mode
|
Am/C (‘III’)
↳ borrowed from the Aeolian mode
|
Esus4 (‘VII’)
↳ borrowed from the Ionian mode
|
Gmadd11 (‘i’)
|
D7/F# (‘V7/III’)
|
Asus2 (‘III’)
|
Am (‘III’)
↳ borrowed from the Aeolian mode
|
Asus2 (‘III’)
|
Asus4 (‘III’)
|
Am/C (‘III’)
↳ borrowed from the Aeolian mode
|
Esus4 (‘VII’)
|
E (‘VII’)
borrowed from the harmonic minor

“`

Similar Chord Progressions

One artist with a similar approach to complex and unconventional chord progressions is jazz pianist and composer Bill Evans. His composition “Blue In Green” (often credited to Miles Davis) features a progression that includes chords borrowed from multiple modes and key centers.

Chord progression in “Blue In Green”:
“`
Dm7 (‘ii’):
↳ borrowed from the Dorian mode
|
Gm7 (‘ii’):
↳ borrowed from the Aeolian mode
|
A7 (‘V7’):
↳ borrowed from the Mixolydian mode
|
EbMaj7 (‘IV’):
↳ borrowed from the Ionian mode
|
Gm7 (‘ii’)
|
AbMaj7 (‘VII’):
↳ borrowed from the harmonic minor
|
Gm7 (‘ii’)
“`

Musical Analysis

The song starts in G minor, and the use of the Gmadd11 chord gives a brooding, moody quality to the progression. The D7/F# functions as a secondary dominant chord that leads to the Asus2 and Am, which are borrowed from different modes, adding more depth to the sound.

The Esus4, another borrowed chord from the Ionian mode, appears twice in the progression and resolves to the E major chord, representing the harmonic minor. This switch from the suspended fourth to the major variant provides a sense of resolution but retains some tension in the progression due to its non-diatonic nature.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the chorus of “Exit Music (For A Film)” by Radiohead is rather unconventional and features several borrowed chords from different modes. It showcases the band’s affinity for using non-diatonic chords and contributes to the song’s somber and haunting atmosphere.

Style Analysis

Radiohead is well-known for their unconventional approach to songwriting. In “Exit Music (For A Film),” they employ various borrowed chords and unusual chord progressions to create an evocative, surrealist soundscape. The harmonic and melodic complexity of the chorus conveys the emotional weight of the lyrics and the storyline of the film it was composed for (“Romeo + Juliet”).

Chords in the Chorus section of Exit Music For A Film by Radiohead are:

Gmadd11, D7/F#, Asus2, Am, Asus2, Asus4, Am/C, Esus4, Gmadd11, D7/F#, Asus2, Am, Asus2, Asus4, Am/C, Esus4, E