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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in the verse of Radiohead’s “Nude” sets a contemplative and emotive atmosphere. It features a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, which creates unexpected harmonic shifts that evoke feelings of melancholy. This distinctive harmonic language can be associated with the band’s signature moody sound and has been influential in the indie and alternative rock genres.

Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” is an alternative rock ballad from their 1995 album, “The Bends.” The moody and atmospheric track is characterized by its emotive vocal delivery, contrasting dynamics, rich arrangement, and engaging chord progression. This progression, in particular, features an interesting mixture of diatonic and borrowed chords that create a sense of tension and resolution throughout the piece.

“Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak is in the key of B minor. The chord progression for the section provided, which is the verse, is unique due to its simplicity, making it easily accessible and memorable. Even though it is incredibly simple, consisting of just three chords, the progression manages to evoke a strong sense of melancholy and longing, which resonates powerfully with the song’s lyrical themes.

The verse 2 chord progression of Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” demonstrates a combination of diatonic and non-diatonic chords with tonal ambiguity, frequent use of borrowed chords from parallel modes, and modulation. The progression has a cyclic, hypnotic quality with occasional surprises due to large leaps in pitch and unexpected, non-diatonic chords.

“Landslide” by The Smashing Pumpkins is a cover of a popular folk-rock song by Fleetwood Mac. In this song, The Smashing Pumpkins show their alternative rock style, while also paying homage to the folk-rock genre and especially to the founder of Folk-Rock “Fleetwood Mac”. The chords used throughout the song are predominantly composed in the key of G major, with the occasional use of a common borrowed chord (Am) from the G minor key.

Radiohead – Nude – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

G#m, G#, A, E, C#m, B, G#, A, E, C#m, B

Chord Progression Analysis

G# minor (vi), G# Major (V/ii), A Major (IV), E Major (I), C# minor (vi), B Major (V), G# Major (V/ii), A Major (IV), E Major (I), C# minor (vi), B Major (V)

Borrowed Chords:
`G# Major (V/ii)`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Something” (key of C major but makes use of chromaticism)
Chord progression: C major (I), Cmaj7 (I7), C7 (V/IV), F major (IV), D Major (V/vi), G (V), Am (vi), Am7/G (vi6), A7 (V/IV), C (V7/vi), E (VI)

2. Jeff Buckley – “Hallelujah” (key of C major with occasional chromatic chords)
Chord progression: C (I), Am (vi), C (I), Am (vi), F (IV), G (V), C (I), G (V), Am (vi), F (IV), G (V), E (III), Am (vi)

3. Muse – “Unintended” (key of E minor, with unconventional chord progression and borrowed chords)
Chord progression: Em9 (i9), C#m7b5 (VI7b5), F#m11 (ii11), B7sus4 (V7sus4), Em9 (i9), B7/F# (V7/III), Gmaj7 (III), B7sus4 (V7sus4)

Musical Analysis

The verse begins with a G# minor chord, which is the vi chord in the key of E major. This is followed by a chromatic shift to G# Major, which functions as the V/ii, or the dominant chord of the ii (C# minor). The progression then moves to A Major (IV), a common substitute for the IV chord in a minor key, followed by E Major (I), the tonic chord.

The next sequence is a more traditional progression with vi (C# minor), V (B Major), the secondary dominant V/ii (G# Major), and a return to the IV (A Major) and I (E Major) chords. This sequence is then repeated with a slight variation at the end: vi (C# minor) and V (B Major).

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Radiohead’s “Nude” showcases a unique blend of minor and major chords within the key of E major, highlighting the band’s signature non-traditional approach to harmony. It features borrowed chords, as well as chromatic and diatonic motion between some chords.

Style Analysis

Radiohead is known for incorporating non-traditional harmony and experimentation in their music. In “Nude,” they effectively mix elements of the major key (E major) with chromatic alterations in the chords. This unsettling quality creates a sense of tension and release throughout the verse, characteristic of Radiohead’s emotive songwriting. The harmonic experimentation also enhances the introspective and melancholic nature of the track.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Nude by Radiohead are:

G#m, G#, A, E, C#m, B, G#, A, E, C#m, B