Tame Impala – Alter Ego – Chorus
Alter Ego < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Am’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Em’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Em’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Em’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Em’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Cmaj7’, ‘Bsus4’, ‘Bm7’]
Chord Progression Analysis
– ‘Am’ (i)
– ‘Fmaj7’ (VI)
– ‘Em’ (v)
– ‘Fmaj7’ (VI)
– ‘Em’ (v)
– ‘Fmaj7’ (VI)
– ‘Em’ (v)
– ‘Fmaj7’ (VI)
– ‘Em’ (v)
– ‘Fmaj7’ (VI)
– ‘E’ (V)
– ‘A’ (IV/ii – borrowed from A major)
– ‘G’ (bVII – borrowed from A major)
– ‘Fmaj7’ (VI)
– ‘Cmaj7’ (III – borrowed from A major)
– ‘Bsus4’ (ii, suspending the 3rd)
– ‘Bm7’ (ii)
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Borrowed Chords: ‘A’ (IV/ii), ‘G’ (bVII), ‘Cmaj7’ (III)
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Similar Chord Progressions
– “Because” by The Beatles has a similar use of a pattern of chords in the choruses, cycling between Emaj7, C#m, Cm, G#m, and G#m7.
– “Breathe” by Pink Floyd has a similar vibe with a revolving chord progression alternating between Bm7, A(add9), and Gmaj.
– “Marquee Moon” by Television presents a psychedelic sound with a similar vibe, the chord progression alternates between F#m, Emaj7, Dmaj7, C#m, Bm7, and Amaj7.
Bear in mind, none of these songs perfectly match ‘Alter Ego’, but they might have inspired aspects of it.
Musical Analysis
The progression starts with an ‘Am’ (i) and continuously alternates between ‘Fmaj7’ (VI) and ‘Em’ (v) chords for 9 times. This gives the feeling of suspension and tension, pairing well with the psychedelic rock genre. The pattern breaks at the ‘E’ (V) major chord, providing some predictable resolution. We then have a deceptive cadence with the ‘A’ (IV in A major) and ‘G’ (bVII in A major). The usage of ‘Cmaj7’ (III) and ‘Bsus4’ to ‘Bm7’ is similarly notable as these chords fall outside of the normal.
Overall Analysis
This chord progression is in the key of Am. The work can be seen as a mix of the Western tonal harmony, incorporating the use of inversions alongside nondiatonic chords. Tame Impala employs the elements of neo-psychedelia with unique chord progressions and arrangements. The alteration between two chords creates a revolving feeling, reinforcing the title “alter ego”.
Style Analysis
Tame Impala is known for their fusion of classic psychedelic rock with modern synthesized sounds, and ‘Alter Ego’ is no exception. The Meandering progression contributes to a “dream-like” state, matched with ethereal synth and guitar tones, harkening back to late ’60s and early ’70s influences like Pink Floyd. But there’s also a frequent incorporation of more modern sounds and effects that bring the music to the present. This track might also reflect the influence of jazz, notable in the usage of the maj7, m7, and sus4 extended chords.
What are the chords in: Tame Impala – Alter Ego – Chorus?
[‘Am’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Em’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Em’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Em’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Em’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Cmaj7’, ‘Bsus4’, ‘Bm7’]
