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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

The chord progression in the outro of “Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead utilizes some common and some less common harmonic devices. The piece employs diatonic chords with some added extensions, giving a sense of tension and release. Furthermore, the progression is in the key of A major, which contributes to the overall tonality and harmonic structure.

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.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Kids” by MGMT is a repetitive and catchy sequence that features four chords, showcasing MGMT’s characteristic electronic pop and psychedelic rock sound. The progression is in the key of A Major, and the chords follow a vi-IV-I-V pattern.

The key of ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ is G Major, a common key for pop and country songs which provides a bright and uplifting sound. Throughout the song, only four different chords are used: G, D, Em and C. The progression is repeated consistently, with only the sudden introduction of an F major chord (borrowed from the parallel minor of G) towards the end of the song during a transition phase.

Radiohead – Idioteque – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Cadd2/B, Em, Gm/Eb, C, Cadd2/B, Em, Gm/Eb, C

Chord Progression Analysis

Cadd2/B (IV’), Em (v), Gm/Eb (bIII), C (I),
Cadd2/B (IV’), Em (v), Gm/Eb (bIII), C (I)

“` Borrowed Chord: Gm/Eb (bIII)“`

Similar Chord Progressions

One artist with a similar style to Radiohead is Bjork, who also incorporates unconventional progressions and unique harmonic devices in her music. A similar progression can be found in her song “Joga”:

Fmaj7 (I), Em (v), A/E (bIII), F (I)

Additionally, another song that employs a similar sense of tension and release through chord progression is “Find My Way” by Nine Inch Nails:

F (I), A (V), Abmaj7 (bII), F (I)

While not direct copies of the “Idioteque” chord progression, these examples showcase the use of modal mixture, chromatic mediants, and predominant chords followed by dominant chords, creating tension and release in a similar manner.

Musical Analysis

The chorus chord progression starts with a Cadd2/B which is a C major chord with an added 2nd (D) and the bass note on B. This acts as a predominant chord, resolving to Em (v-chord). It creates an interesting sonority and adds tension to the progression. Following that, a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, Gm/Eb, which is the bIII chord, acts as a chromatic mediant to the initial C major. This chord has strong voice leading qualities and darkens the overall sound. Finally, the progression resolves to C (I-chord), which provides a sense of closure and harmonic resolution.

Overall Analysis

“Idioteque” by Radiohead is an experimental and atmospheric electronic song, released on the album “Kid A” in 2000. The chord progression of the chorus is fairly simple, yet features some distinctive chords which create a sense of tension and release. It incorporates modal mixture and chromatic mediants, which are typical elements found in Radiohead’s music.

Style Analysis

Radiohead is known for their innovative and unconventional approach to songwriting, often experimenting with unconventional time signatures, chord progressions, and instrumentation. The chord progression in the chorus of “Idioteque” showcases Radiohead’s ability to create tension and release using modal mixture, chromatic mediants, and inversions. The progression also reflects their tendency to incorporate electronic elements and atmospheric textures, which further adds to the distinctive and haunting quality of their music.

Chords in the Chorus section of Idioteque by Radiohead are:

Cadd2/B, Em, Gm/Eb, C, Cadd2/B, Em, Gm/Eb, C