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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

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.

“Give Me The Night” by George Benson features a smooth jazz and funk-influenced style. The chord progression in Verse 3 demonstrates a strong use of extended and altered chords, which create a richer texture and interesting harmonic movement. This particular chord progression is reminiscent of other popular songs from the same period and genre, displaying the influence of jazz harmony on contemporary R&B and pop music.

The song constantly oscillates around C#m, which is the presumed root key. Harmonically, the 8-bar verse progression involves the frequent use of borrowed chords, as well as secondary dominants, which are frequently used in the Beatles’ compositions, to provide a colorful and subtle tension.

“Yesterday” is predominantly composed in the key of F Major. The song is a classic in pop songwriting and showcases the effective use of borrowed chords to capture a unique, nostalgic sound that has made it one of the most covered songs in pop music. Specifically, in this verse, the use of secondary dominants and borrowed chords from the parallel minor key provides the song’s distinctive tonal color.

Tame Impala – Let It Happen – Verse 3

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

Here is the chord progression analysis for Verse 3:
“`
A (I)
F#m (vi)
G#sus4 (VII sus4)
“`

The song key is in A Major. Notably, the G#sus4 chord is a borrowed chord from A harmonic minor scale.

Similar Chord Progressions

Similar chord progressions are found in the songs ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ by The Beatles, using a I – vi – iv progression, and ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis, using a I – vi – IV – I – ii – IV progression. They present similarities since they use the primary and secondary triads in popular music structure. Nonetheless, it’s important to note the uniqueness of Tame Impala’s progression due to the substitute borrowed chord.

Musical Analysis

Tame Impala plays extensively with musical texture, underpinned by a constant percussive drive that provides momentum. The repetitive sequence of this chord progression underlines a cyclical motif, reflective of the song’s philosophical content. The use of the G#sus4 chord adds an unexpected tension and resolve into the familiar A and F#m chords, which carry the song’s melodic line.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

This progression is emblematic of Tame Impala’s style, who often blend accessible pop/rock structures with more complex, unexpected elements. The result is a sound that is instantly recognizable but never predictable. The production is heavily layered and psychedelic-inspired, with a significant use of electronic effects and a broad dynamic range.

Chords in the Verse 3 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’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘G#sus4’]