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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.

“Exit Music (For a Film)” by Radiohead features a unique and somewhat complex chord progression, particularly in the second verse. The song can be viewed as being in A minor, with various borrowed chords and non-diatonic chords. The chord progression reflects Radiohead’s experimental and innovative approach to harmony and songwriting.

The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” presents an interesting mix of major and minor chords with excellent use of chord inversions and borrowings. The song is harmonically adventurous, showcasing the band’s pop mastery with Brian Wilson’s unmatched compositional skills. This song is primarily in the key of A Major, with many borrowed chords and modulation that creates its unique feel.

“Right Where It Belongs” by Nine Inch Nails is a song characterized by its melodic and harmonic structure. It has a unique yet familiar sound, blending pop and alternative rock elements with its rich chord progression and powerful melody.

The chord progression in the chorus of Muse’s “Megalomania” features a blend of major and minor chords, as well as the use of the dominant 7th chord (B7) to create tension and resolution. This progression provides a harmonic foundation for the powerful and emotional vocals, giving it an intense and memorable feel.

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