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Related Music Theory Alchemy

Tame Impala’s “Let It Happen” is a song in A major key. The chord progression seems simple at first, with a repetitive motive throughout the verse but it creates a hypnotic effect that is very much in line with Tame Impala’s psychedelic style.

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is in the key of B major. The primary chords used throughout the song are: B major (I), C# major (II), G major (bVI), E major (IV), F# major (V), and C (bII). The chords progression is unconventional when compared to traditional music theory. This unconventional use of chords and progressions creates a unique and distinct sound that characterizes the song.

Chord Analysis (Pre-Chorus):

The chord progression in the pre-chorus, which is also found in the verse, would be:
B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – G major (bVI) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – G major (bVI) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – G major (bVI) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II) – B major (I) – C# major (II)

Borrowed Chord:

G major (bVI) is a borrowed chord from B minor, the parallel minor of B major in this song.

“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane uses a handful of straightforward major and minor chords which contribute to a pop, atmospheric, and emotive sound indicative of the band’s alternative rock aesthetic. The chord progression of the pre-chorus is fairly common and creates a cyclical and slightly unsettled feel that fits well with the song’s lyrical themes of uncertainty and longing for return.

“Tiny Dancer” is an iconic song by Elton John from his 1971 album Madman Across the Water. Written in the key of C Major, it genre-wise fits the mold of pop music from the early 1970s. Structurally, the song displays unique nuances, especially in its pre-chorus, which shifts the tonal center and incorporates some borrowed chords from parallel minor scales.

Tame Impala – Cause Im A Man – PRE-CHORUS

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Chord Progression

[‘G’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘B’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The Pre-Chorus chords:
1) G Major (bIII)
2) A Major (IV)
The bIII chord here is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key. The use of this chord gives the music an edgier, yet colorful touch.

“`
G Major (bIII)
A Major (IV)
G Major (bIII)
A Major (IV)
G Major (bIII)
A Major (IV)
G Major (bIII)
A Major (IV)
B Major (V)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

The chord progression in the pre-chorus of “‘Cause I’m A Man” can be juxtaposed with those of “Breathe” by Pink Floyd and “She’s A Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones which also use an IV-bIII progression.

“She’s A Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones (Key: B Major):
“`
E Major (IV)
D# Major (bIII)
“`

“Breathe” by Pink Floyd (Key: E minor):
“`
A Major (IV in E minor)
G Major (bIII in E minor)
“`

While the keys might be different, the relative motion and treatment of the chords hold similarities yielding a characteristically psychedelic and dense sound.

Musical Analysis

In the pre-chorus, we see an alternating IV-bIII progression. The movement between these two chords acts as a kind of ‘pseudo-suspension’ that eventually resolves to B major (V) – dominant of the root E major. This generates intrigue and also prepares the listener for the change that will come with the chorus.

Overall Analysis

The song seems to have a psychedelic pop/rock vibe reminiscing of the late ’60s and ’70s. The use of major seventh chords and repeated shifting between E Major and D Major hints at a sense of yearning and nostalgia, something that is commonly found in Tame Impala’s music.

Style Analysis

Tame Impala’s music draws heavily from the psychedelic music of the ’60s and ’70s. The use of the major seventh and borrowed chords lends a dreamy and nostalgic quality to the music, a hallmark of the psychedelic style. The Alternating IV-bIII progression in the pre-chorus also adds to the texture, harmonically rich and layered.

Chords in the Pre-chorus section of Cause Im A Man by Tame Impala are:

[‘G’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘B’]