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This chord progression from Radiohead’s “You And Whose Army” is in the key of C# minor, and the chords are predominantly composed of diatonic chords from the C# natural minor scale with some borrowed chords from the parallel major scale. The progression follows a looped pattern, creating a hypnotic and catchy quality which is characteristic of Radiohead’s music.

The chord progression in the chorus of Radiohead’s “Knives Out” is an interesting and unconventional one, making use of some borrowed chords and a mix of major and minor tonalities. The overall style of the song can be described as alternative rock with some influences of jazz harmony and chromaticism, creating a unique and moody atmosphere. The progression is mostly diatonic, but it also incorporates some borrowed chords from parallel modes to add color and tension.

“After You’ve Gone” is a jazz standard composed by Django Reinhardt. The verse progression of the song uses a combination of major, minor and dominant chords with some borrowed chords and secondary dominants, which is a hallmark of early jazz and swing music. The harmonic rhythm is mainly at a pace of one or two chords per bar, with occasional faster changes. The piece has a strong sense of tonal center around the key of G major.

The chord progression in the verse of “Knights of Cydonia” by Muse features a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, primarily from the G# minor and E major keys. The progression features an interesting blend of major and minor chords, chromatic movement, and modulation, contributing to the epic and powerful sound of the track.

“Anti-Hero,” a standout track from Taylor Swift, exemplifies her mature songwriting style that merges introspective lyrics with intricate harmonies. This song’s verse utilizes a chord progression that creates a rich emotional landscape, perfectly complementing the themes of self-reflection and personal imperfection. The progression, while rooted in the traditional pop structure, employs extended chords to enhance its lyrical narrative, adding layers of complexity that resonate with listeners.

Radiohead – You And Whose Army – Verse

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Chord Progression

D#m, G#, C#m, F#, Bm, E, A, C#m, D#m, G#, C#m, F#, Bm, E, A, C#m, E, A, C#m, D#m, G#, C#m, F#, Bm, E, A, C#m, D#m, G#, C#m, F#, Bm, E, A, C#m, E, A, C#m

Chord Progression Analysis

D#m (bII), G# (V), C#m (i), F# (IV), Bm (v), E (III), A (VI), C#m (i), D#m (bII), G# (V), C#m (i), F# (IV), Bm (v), E (III), A (VI), C#m (i), E (III), A (VI), C#m (i), D#m (bII), G# (V), C#m (i), F# (IV), Bm (v), E (III), A (VI), C#m (i), D#m (bII), G# (V), C#m (i), F# (IV), Bm (v), E (III), A (VI), C#m (i), E (III), A (VI), C#m (i)

Borrowed Chord:

“`
D#m (bII)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Exit Music (For a Film)” by Radiohead
Bm (i), G (VI), Em (iv), C#dim (iio), F# (V), Bm (i), G (VI), Em (iv), C#dim (iio), F# (V), Bm (i)

2. “Something” by The Beatles
C (I), Cmaj7 (IM7), C7 (I7), F (IV), D (V), G (V), Am (vi), Am7/G (vi7/VI), Cmaj7 (IM7), G (V)

Both of these examples, while not identical to “You And Whose Army,” exhibit some elements present in the song, such as unusual chord relationships and borrowed chords.

Musical Analysis

The recurring use of the borrowed chord D#m (bII) creates an element of surprise and tension while still providing a sense of resolution as it progresses to the G# (V) chord. This tension-release relationship is further emphasized by the movement between the F# (IV) and Bm (v) chords. The progression also includes a common chord progression, the VI-III-i progression (A-C#m-E), which adds an emotional and somewhat nostalgic quality to the piece.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in Radiohead’s “You And Whose Army” showcases the band’s unique style of blending chord progressions from different key centers, as well as their tendency to use borrowed chords. The progression consists largely of diatonic chords from the key of C# minor, but also features a few borrowed chords from D# minor and the parallel major key, C# Major.

Style Analysis

Radiohead is known for their innovative and experimental approach to songwriting, often blending elements from various genres and styles. The chord progression in “You And Whose Army” embodies this approach by using borrowed chords, uncommon chord relationships, and multiple key centers. This technique can be found in various songs throughout their discography, as they consistently push the boundaries of conventional music theory to create a unique and evocative sound.

Chords in the Verse section of You And Whose Army by Radiohead are:

D#m, G#, C#m, F#, Bm, E, A, C#m, D#m, G#, C#m, F#, Bm, E, A, C#m, E, A, C#m, D#m, G#, C#m, F#, Bm, E, A, C#m, D#m, G#, C#m, F#, Bm, E, A, C#m, E, A, C#m