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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The Outro of “Exit Music (For a Film)” by Radiohead features a striking and emotive chord progression that showcases their innovative approach to harmony. It is characterized by the use of irregular modal interchanges, sustained chords, and slight variations on repeating patterns.

“Idioteque” by Radiohead is a song with an alternative rock/electronic style, featuring an unusual chord progression that effectively creates a sense of tension and instability while still maintaining a familiar and consonant tonality. This can be attributed to the band’s creative use of borrowed chords and harmonic movement.

“Lost Cause” by Beck from the album “Sea Change” showcases a melancholic and heartfelt mood with a slow tempo, exuding a sense of introspection and vulnerability. The song can be described as a folk-rock ballad with subtle touches of country and indie rock.

The chord progression of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is particularly interesting for its use of key changes and borrowed chords. It reflects both the catchy driving pop rock melody signature of early Beatles and the sophistication of harmonic innovation, which defines their later work.

“As Tears Go By” by The Rolling Stones is a popular song from the mid-60s that features a mix of major and minor chords along with modulations between closely related keys. The overall harmonic structure shares similarities with other rock and pop songs of that era, including The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

Base Key and

Radiohead – Exit Music For A Film – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

Am, E, C/G, Dadd9/F#, Am, E, Asus4, A

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
A minor (i),
E major (V),
C major / G (VI/G),
Dadd9 / F# (IVadd9/F#),
A minor (i),
E major (V),
Asus4 (i sus4),
A major (I)
“`

Borrowed chords:
“`
C major / G (VI/G) and Dadd9 / F# (IVadd9/F#)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Pink Floyd – “Breathe” Chord progression:
“`
Em9 (ii9),
A7sus4 (IV7 sus4),
A7 (IV7),
Dmaj7 (VII maj7),
Fmaj7#11 (III maj7 #11)
“`

2. Coldplay – “Clocks” Chord progression:
“`
Ebmaj7 (III maj7),
Bbm/Bb (iii),
Fm/Bb (vi11),
Gm/C (vii7/C)
“`

These chord progressions are examples of other artists incorporating non-diatonic and creative harmonic structures in their compositions, similar to Radiohead’s “Exit Music (For a Film).”

Musical Analysis

The chord progression includes tension-creating elements, such as the non-diatonic Dadd9/F# (over the F# bass note), which can be seen as a borrowed chord from the parallel major (A major) and the VI chord in first inversion (C/G). Another point of interest is the E major chord which appears twice and works as a dominant chord to lead back to A minor and A major at different points. The progression also features a brief moment of suspension with Asus4, resolving to A major. These elements give the chord progression a sense of disorientation, moodiness, and emotional depth.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

Radiohead is known for their innovative and unconventional approach to songwriting and harmony. “Exit Music (For a Film)” exemplifies this style by incorporating non-diatonic and borrowed chords, creating an unsettling and emotional atmosphere. This type of chord progression is characteristic of alternative and art rock styles, where traditional musical boundaries are often pushed.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Exit Music For A Film by Radiohead are:

Am, E, C/G, Dadd9/F#, Am, E, Asus4, A