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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Motion Picture Soundtrack” is an alternative rock song by Radiohead from their album “Kid A” released in 2000. The chord progression in the hook features a mixture of harmonic choices from both diatonic and non-diatonic sources, with borrowed chords and chromatic notes. The style displays a unique blend of rock, electronic, and experimental music elements, which is characteristic of the art/pop-rock genre of the time.

The verse of “All I Need” by Radiohead features a simple chord progression consisting of three main chords: C, Em, and G. It alternates between these three chords for most of the progression, with some occasional repetition of the C chord. This progression provides a consistent harmonic foundation for the vocal melody and sets a mostly stable and melancholic mood.

“Wild Horses” is a song by the rock band Rolling Stones from their 1971 album “Sticky Fingers”. It is a great example of the band’s adeptness not only at writing catchy rock songs but also at creating complex and interesting chord progressions. The song is in the key of G major. The verse progression is interesting with the use of the B minor chord (Bm), which is the iii chord in the key of G major – a chord that isn’t commonly used in popular music.

The chord progression can be divided into three main sections (please see the details below). The first section is based around the I chord (C), the second section introduces the IV chord (F), then it returns to the I chord. The third section introduces a borrowed chord (bVII – Bb from C Mixolydian), a V chord (G), then returns to the I chord with a brief excursion back to the V chord. There is repetition in this section with the return to the I chord.

“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals is a well-known folk song that has been adapted into a blues ballad with a haunting quality. The verse chord progression features a combination of minor and major chords that contribute to its emotional intensity, while also creating a sense of tension and resolution.

Radiohead – Motion Picture Soundtrack – Verse 3

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Chord Progression

G, Csus2, Bmadd9, Csus2, G, Csus2, Bmadd9, Csus2

Chord Progression Analysis

1. G major (I)
2. Csus2 (IVsus2 / borrowed from G Mixolydian)
3. Bmadd9 (iii(add9))
4. Csus2 (IVsus2 / borrowed from G Mixolydian)
5. G major (I)
6. Csus2 (IVsus2 / borrowed from G Mixolydian)
7. Bmadd9 (iii(add9))
8. Csus2 (IVsus2 / borrowed from G Mixolydian)

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Borrowed Chord: Csus2 (IVsus2 / borrowed from G Mixolydian)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Coldplay – “Clocks”
Chord Progression: [‘Dmaj9’, ‘Aadd9’, ‘Eadd9’]

2. U2 – “With or Without You”
Chord Progression: [‘D’, ‘Asus4’, ‘Bsus4’, ‘Gsus2’]

3. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
Chord Progression: [‘Em7’, ‘G’, ‘Dsus4’, ‘Asus4’, ‘Cadd9’]

These chord progressions feature similar use of suspended and extended chords, creating a distinctive sound that is found in many alternative rock songs. While not exactly the same as Radiohead’s Motion Picture Soundtrack, these chord progressions demonstrate similar non-functional and expressive harmonic techniques.

Musical Analysis

The G major (I) chords serve as a melodic anchor in this progression, giving a sense of resolution amidst the surrounding harmonic tension. The Csus2 is a borrowed chord from the G Mixolydian mode, and it adds some harmonic ambiguity to the progression, since it features the 2nd scale degree suspended above the major 3rd. The Bmadd9 chord accentuates the minor modality and adds tension, which resolves back to the Csus2 chord before returning to the G major (I) chord.

Overall Analysis

Verse 3 of Radiohead’s Motion Picture Soundtrack features a melancholic and non-functional chord progression that showcases the band’s use of interesting chord voicings as well as the mixture of major and minor modalities. The progression revolves around the G major, and shifts between borrowed chords and non-conventional chord extensions such as the sus2 chord. This approach is typical of alternative rock bands like Radiohead, which often stray away from traditional norms in favor of innovative and evocative harmonies.

Style Analysis

Motion Picture Soundtrack’s chord progression can be interpreted as a fusion of modal and alternative rock styles. Radiohead’s frequent use of unconventional chord voicings can be seen here, with the incorporation of sus2 and add9 chord extensions. The melancholic yet emotional progression is characteristic of alternative rock’s tendency to evoke introspection and strong emotional responses.

Chords in the Verse 3 section of Motion Picture Soundtrack by Radiohead are:

G, Csus2, Bmadd9, Csus2, G, Csus2, Bmadd9, Csus2