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Let It Happen’ by Tame Impala employs an accessible and effective chord progression, usual in pop/rock music, yet has unusualness due to the usage of the G#sus4 chord, providing a unique tonal flavor and emotional quality. There is a striking use of harmonic contrast and a continuous return and release of tension throughout the song. This creates an immersive cyclical quality, complementing the song’s theme of embracing inevitable moments and experiences.

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Feels Like We Only Go Backwards by Tame Impala uses very interesting chord progressions that convey a feeling of constant motion. The song is primarily in the key of F Major, as revealed by the majority of the chords (F, C, Gm). However, the chord progression in the verse introduces Dm and Cmaj7/G, showing some clever use of modal interchange, also known as borrowed chords.

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“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd is a classic rock ballad from their 1975 album of the same name. The song features an introspective and expressive melody with a predominantly acoustic instrumentation. The chord progression for Verse 2 demonstrates a blend of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, with borrowed chords from parallel modes, which adds to the emotional depth of the piece.

“And I Love Her” by The Beatles is predominantly set within the key of F# minor. Apart from the chorus that momentarily modulates to the key of D minor, the verses embrace a darker, melancholic atmosphere portrayed by the minor keys. The tonal structure and chord progressions in the song are reflective of the band’s exploration of intricate harmonies, going beyond the simple three-chord structures of many contemporary pop songs of the time.

“Rocket Man” by Elton John, released in 1972, is a melodic and harmonically sophisticated example of his pop/rock style. The piece is in the key of G, and the chord progression of Verse 2 introduces some harmonies that exploit john’s expertise in using extended and altered chords, which lend colorfulness and a feel of departure and return. The use of slash chords like G/B and D/F# creates a descending bass line that is very characteristic of pop and rock music, creating a sense of melodic movement within the chords themselves. Verse 2 is navigated skillfully between simplistic and complex harmonies.

Tame Impala – Let It Happen – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

[‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The primary chord progression for Verse 2 is: A Major (‘I’), F#m (‘vi’), G#sus4 (‘bii sus4’). Looking at all the chords in the song, we see some more variations and borrowed chords in later parts of the song. Here’s the primary progression’s chord analysis in full on one line:

“`
A Major (‘I’), F#m (‘vi’), G#sus4 (‘#vii sus4’)
“`

In this case, we are working in the key of A Major. This ‘bii sus4’ is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor of A, which is a common technique used for achieving color and tension.

Similar Chord Progressions

A similar chord progression is used by the Eagles in their song “Hotel California” which has a progression of Bm (‘vi’), F# (‘III’), and A (‘V’). The song employs a similar technique to “Let It Happen” where the progression doesn’t conclusively resolve, creating an ambiguous and somewhat insatiable feeling to the listener.

“`Bm (‘vi’), F# (‘III’), A (‘V’)“`

Musical Analysis

Tame Impala’s chord progression technique in “Let It Happen” is interesting because it does not strictly follow conventional theory rules. The A Major and F#m chords prolong the tonality of A Major, but then we have the ‘bii sus4’ chord that becomes an unexpected surprise.

The Mannish Boys “Everything’s Alright” uses a similar I-vi-II progression as the one in “Let It Happen.” The II is the ‘bII’ borrowed chord from “Let It Happen”. In both songs, these chords provide a feeling of ambiguity and tension that is released when the progression repeats.

Overall Analysis

“Let It Happen” by Tame Impala is characterized by its psychedelic and experimental nuances. It features an overall bright and uplifting tone despite its use of some more complex chords. The song ska common in pop music. The chord progression in question has a strong melodic sensibility demonstrating Kevin Parker’s ability to incorporate complex musical ideas into a pop format.

Style Analysis

The dominance of the psychedelic sound in “Let It Happen” is highlighted by the chord progression. Tame Impala manipulates these chords in a way that reflects the psychedelic rock, space rock, and neo-psychedelia genres that the band is known for. This manipulation of tension and release throughout the chord progression can be seen as one of the building blocks for the song’s trippy and expansive soundscape.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Let It Happen by Tame Impala are:

[‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’]