Tame Impala – Let It Happen – Outro
Let It Happen < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Below is the full outro of the song “Let It Happen” listed with their full chord names and roman numerals:
“`plaintext
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
G# Suspended 4 (IIIIV)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
G# Suspended 4 (IIIIV)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
G# Suspended 4 (IIIIV)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
G# Suspended 4 (IIIIV)
E Major 7 *Borrowed Chord* (VII)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
G# Suspended 4 (IIIIV)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
E Major 7 *Borrowed Chord* (VII)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
1. Billie Eilish – “Ocean Eyes”
This song uses a similar chord progression in its refrain:
“`plaintext
C Major (I)
D Minor (ii)
A minor (vi)
G Major (V)
“`
2. The Police – “Every Breath You Take”
This song features a tangent but somewhat relatable chord progression in its verses:
“`plaintext
G add9 (I)
Eb Major *Borrowed Chord* (IIIb)
D Major (V)
“`
3. Coldplay – “The Scientist”
Relevant progression in the verses:
“`plaintext
D Minor (i)
Bb Major (VI)
F Major (III)
C add9 (VII)
“`
Musical Analysis
There is a frequent cadence of I-vi-IIIIV throughout the piece. The relationship between these chords creates a progression and cadence that is both expected and satisfying. The suspended 4th chord (G#sus4) acts as a device for building tension, which is then released during the resolution back to the first degree, A Major. The borrowed chord, Emaj7, from the parallel minor adds an interesting color and unexpected mood shift in the outro, contrasting with the general progression and creating a surprising yet melodic turn in the harmony.
Overall Analysis
The song “Let It Happen” by Tame Impala, which is in the key of A Major, uses a simple yet effective chord progression during its outro. The common pattern of I-vi-IIIIV (Major-minor-Suspended 4) recurs throughout. The G#sus4 chord provides a moment of tension before resolving back to the tonic and restarting the pattern. The progression concludes with an Emaj7 chord, which is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor.
Style Analysis
Musically, Tame Impala often combines elements of psychedelic rock, synth-pop and disco, always showing strong roots in melodic and harmonic writing. The chord progression in “Let it Happen” shows this, with its searing synths and percussive elements supporting a simple but catchy loop.
What are the chords in: Tame Impala – Let It Happen – Outro?
[‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’]
