Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees – Verse 3
Fake Plastic Trees < All Analyses
Chord Progression
A, Asus4, Dmaj9/F#, Dmaj9/F#, E6, Dsus2, A, Dsus2, A, Asus4, Dmaj9/F#, Dmaj9/F#, E6, Dsus2, A, Dsus2
Chord Progression Analysis
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A (I) – Asus4 – Dmaj9/F# (IVmaj9) – Dmaj9/F# (IVmaj9) – E6 (V6) – Dsus2 (IVsus2) – A (I) – Dsus2 (IVsus2) – A (I) – Asus4 – Dmaj9/F# (IVmaj9) – Dmaj9/F# (IVmaj9) – E6 (V6) – Dsus2 (IVsus2) – A (I) – Dsus2 (IVsus2)
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Similar Chord Progressions
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– Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” (Cover)
Verse Chord Progression:
C (I) – Am (vi) – C (I) – Am (vi) – F (IV) – G (V) – C (I) – G (V) – C (I) – F (IV) – G (V) – Am (vi) – F (IV) – G (V) – E (III/v) – Am (vi)
In Jeff Buckley’s rendition of “Hallelujah,” we similarly encounter unconventional chords like E major (III/v), which is borrowed from A harmonic minor in addition to a predominance of IV, V, and vi chords creating an emotional, ethereal atmosphere.
– Coldplay’s “Clocks”
Verse Chord Progression:
Ebmaj9 (IVmaj9) – Bbm9 (I9) – F5 (V)
In Coldplay’s “Clocks,” we find another example of major 9th and suspended chords generating a sense of harmonic ambiguity and color, echoing the expressive nature of “Fake Plastic Trees”.
Musical Analysis
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– The progression starts with an A major chord (I) followed by Asus4, adding a brief tension before resolving back.
– Dmaj9/F# (IVmaj9) is an inversion of the IV chord with a major 9th interval. This choice creates an expressive, floating quality to the harmony.
– E6 (V6) uses the added 6th interval, which deviates from the traditional V7 chord while providing tension before resolving.
– The use of Dsus2 (IVsus2) chords on multiple instances acts as a suspended/modally ambiguous substitute to the standard IV chord.
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Overall Analysis
** The chord progression in Verse 3 of Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” is a combination of diatonic and non-diatonic chords in the key of A major, featuring the use of suspended chords, 9th chords, and 6th chords. The progression has a tonally ambiguous and ethereal quality, which is characteristic of Radiohead’s style.
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Style Analysis
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– Radiohead is known for their innovative approach to harmony, and this chord progression exemplifies their unique style. The progression involves unconventional chord shapes, inversions, and borrowed chords deriving from modal interchange, resulting in an emotionally evocative and atmospheric sound.
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What are the chords in: Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees – Verse 3?
A, Asus4, Dmaj9/F#, Dmaj9/F#, E6, Dsus2, A, Dsus2, A, Asus4, Dmaj9/F#, Dmaj9/F#, E6, Dsus2, A, Dsus2
