Radiohead – Exit Music For A Film – Verse 1
Exit Music For A Film < All Analyses
Chord Progression
Am, E, C/G, Dadd9/F#, Am, E, Asus4, A, Am, E, C/G, Dadd9/F#, Dadd9/F, Am, E, Asus4, A
Chord Progression Analysis
“`
Am (i),
E (V),
C/G (VI),
Dadd9/F# (VIIadd9/1st inv),
Am (i),
E (V),
Asus4 (IVsus),
A (IV),
Am (i),
E (V),
C/G (VI),
Dadd9/F# (VIIadd9/1st inv),
Dadd9/F (VIIadd9),
Am (i),
E (V),
Asus4 (IVsus),
A (IV)
“`
Borrowed Chords:
“`
Dadd9/F# (VIIadd9/1st inv),
Dadd9/F (VIIadd9)
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
1. The Beatles – “Strawberry Fields Forever”:
“`
C (I),
G (V),
A (VI),
Am (vi),
Gm (iv),
A7 (VI7),
F (IV),
Dm (ii),
G7 (V7),
Bb7 (V7/iv),
E (III)
“`
2. Jeff Buckley – “Hallelujah”:
“`
C (I),
Am (vi),
C (I),
Am (vi),
F (IV),
G/E (V/1st inv),
C (I),
G (V),
C (I)
“`
3. Pink Floyd – “Wish You Were Here”:
“`
Em (i),
G (III),
Am (v),
Em (i),
G (III),
D (VII),
Cadd9 (♪),
G (III),
Am (v),
G (III),
D (VII),
Cadd9 (♪)
“`
These examples illustrate songs with progressions that share a similar sense of melancholy and tension release. While not identical to the progression in “Exit Music (For a Film),” they provide a context to the style and mood of the music.
Musical Analysis
The verse begins with an Am (i) chord, establishing the tonal center of the piece. It moves to E (V), creating tension through the dominant chord, and then resolves to C/G (VI), a borrowed major chord from the relative major key. The progression moves to Dadd9/F# (VIIadd9/1st inv), a non-diatonic chord that adds tension with the F# bass note. The piece returns to Am (i) before going back to E (V), and then transitions to Asus4 (IVsus) and A (IV), which provides a sense of release from the tension. The progression continues to oscillate between the original set of chords and the second set of chords, adding a Dadd9/F (VIIadd9) as a variation. The verse ends with the movement between Asus4 (IVsus) and A (IV), providing a sense of closure by resolving back to Am (i) at the start of the next section.
Overall Analysis
“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.
Style Analysis
Radiohead’s “Exit Music (For a Film)” features an experimental and alternative rock style. The chord progression, melody, and instrumentation are somewhat reminiscent of the Beatles’ later work, specifically songs like “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).” The use of chromaticism, non-diatonic chords, and added tones are all hallmarks of Radiohead’s style, which often pushes the boundaries of conventional tonality and chord progressions.
What are the chords in: Radiohead – Exit Music For A Film – Verse 1?
Am, E, C/G, Dadd9/F#, Am, E, Asus4, A, Am, E, C/G, Dadd9/F#, Dadd9/F, Am, E, Asus4, A
