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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.

“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.

Taylor Swift’s “Black Dog” features a chorus that uses a sophisticated and intricate chord progression to drive the emotional depth and thematic elements of the song. This progression combines inversions and extensions to create a layered and textured musical atmosphere, reflecting the complexity of the song’s lyrics and enhancing its reflective nature.

This is a beautiful chorus from “Rocket Man,” a song by Elton John. The overall vibe of the song is nostalgic and melancholy, largely due to the combination of key changes, chord progression, and Elton John’s vocal melody. The song appears to be in the key of G major.

The chorus from Jeff Buckley’s rendition of “Hallelujah” in the key of C major beautifully demonstrates a diverse range of chords and harmonic techniques. The chord progression incorporates diatonic chords, borrowed chords, and some unexpected harmonic twists, all of which work together to create a sense of emotional depth and tension throughout the chorus.

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