Music Theory Alchemy

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Paranoid Android is a progressive rock song by Radiohead from their album “OK Computer.” The song features various time signature changes, complex harmonic structures, and a blend of distorted guitar tones and strings. The given chords belong to the first verse of the song. The overall tonality of the song is predominantly centered around the C minor key. However, there are some instances of borrowed chords and chromaticism in the chord progression, which adds tension and an unstable quality to the music.

“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.

“Tonight, Tonight” by The Smashing Pumpkins draws from the band’s unique style of alternative rock influenced by a distinct palette of harmonic choices. Particularly in the songwriting of Billy Corgan (the band’s primary songwriter), the band tends to use a mix of common and uncommon chords, together with a tendency of exploring different tonalities. Often, the chord changes are driven by guitar inversions, suspensions, or additions.

Taylor Swift’s “Black Dog” features a chorus that uses a sophisticated and intricate chord progression to drive the emotional depth and thematic elements of the song. This progression combines inversions and extensions to create a layered and textured musical atmosphere, reflecting the complexity of the song’s lyrics and enhancing its reflective nature.

As this song has a distinct classical rock sound, you’ll see a mixture of major and minor chords. The progression is in the key of E major. The use of seventh chords and suspended chords provides a dense harmonic texture.

Radiohead – Paranoid Android – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Gm, Dm9, E, Gm, Gm, Dm9, E, Am, G#, C, D, Am, G#, C, D, Cm, G, Bb, A, Dm, A, Dm, Dm7, Bb, F, Gm, F, E, A

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
G minor (i),
D minor 9 (v9),
E major (VI),
G minor (i),
G minor (i),
D minor 9 (v9),
E major (VI),
A minor (ii),
G# major (I#),
C major (IV),
D major (V),
A minor (ii),
G# major (I#),
C major (IV),
D major (V),
C minor (iv),
G major (VII),
Bb major (III),
A major (V/V),
D minor (v),
A major (V/V),
D minor (v),
D minor 7 (v7),
Bb major (III),
F major (VII/base),
G minor (i),
F major (VII/base),
E major (VI),
A major (V/V)
“`

Borrowed Chords:

“`G# major (I#)“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Happiness is a Warm Gun”:
“`Cm, G, Ab, Bb, Gm, G, E, Am, G“`

2. Muse – “Citizen Erased”:
“`Am, G, F, E, Dm, G, Fmaj7, E“`

3. Tool – “Schism”:
“`Ebm7, Bb7, Bbm7, Abm, Fm, D“`

Although not exact replicas, these examples share a similar tendency of utilizing diverse and unexpected harmonic movement in an unconventional progression. They demonstrate how artists from various genres experiment with complex harmony and chromaticism to create a unique and engaging musical experience.

Musical Analysis

Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” chorus employs several non-diatonic chords, creating a sense of unpredictability and tension. While the predominant tonality is G minor, the piece frequently ventures into other tonal centers, including C major and D major.

The progression begins with a somewhat conventional G minor – D minor – E major progression (i – v – VI), giving a sense of the natural minor scale. However, the progression then shifts to A minor (ii), followed by the borrowed G# major (I#) chord, which provides a strong chromatic contrast.

The repeated A minor – G# major – C major – D major sequence highlights a mix of diatonic degrees and borrowed chords, keeping the listener engaged. Eventually, the progression resolves to C minor (iv), before taking another series of twists and turns, finally ending with the V/V (A major) chord, which serves as a dominant push back into the tonic upon repetition of the progression.

Overall Analysis

The chorus of Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” features an unconventional and diverse chord progression, drawing from various scale degrees. This progression contributes to the song’s complex, shifting quality, moving through several tonal centers.

Style Analysis

“Paranoid Android” exemplifies Radiohead’s use of unconventional harmony and structure in their music. The ever-evolving, unpredictable nature of the chord progression reflects the song’s moody, atmospheric quality. It combines traditional tonal harmony with chromaticism, contributing to the song’s melodic and harmonic complexity.

Chords in the Chorus section of Paranoid Android by Radiohead are:

Gm, Dm9, E, Gm, Gm, Dm9, E, Am, G#, C, D, Am, G#, C, D, Cm, G, Bb, A, Dm, A, Dm, Dm7, Bb, F, Gm, F, E, A