Music Theory Alchemy

Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

“Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead is in the key of A major and features an alternative rock style with a strong emphasis on the melody and a hauntingly beautiful vocal progression. The song contains a unique mix of simple and complex chords that give it a sense of tension and unease.

“I Sat By The Ocean” by Queens of the Stone Age employs multiple chords which creates a complex and engaging harmony in the verse. The song is in the key G# major and it uses multiple borrowed chords from other keys. It’s worth noting that Queens of the Stone Age has a distinct sound that incorporates elements of stoner rock, heavy metal, and alternative rock into their material. Sizeable use of power chords that gives the song its heavy rock feel.

“Yesterday” by The Beatles showcases the innovative use of chord progressions that the group is known for. This song, unlike their other songs, includes borrowed chords and numerous secondary dominant chords. It also uses their favored approach of mixing chords from parallel major and minor scales, hence creating a ‘blended’ modal effect.

Moreover, it uses a mixolydian ♭7 in the main chord sequence, which is quite a popular trick among songwriters for shifting the tonic of a song.

The song, “As Tears Go By” by The Rolling Stones, is primarily in the key of G major. Its chord progression contains elements of classic pop songwriting, particularly from the 1960s, featuring major and minor chords, functional harmony, and a few borrowed chords. The verse has a repeating chord sequence that eventually concludes with a resolution to the tonic chord.

Radiohead – You And Whose Army – Verse

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

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