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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.

“Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” by Tame Impala is a psychedelic pop song notable for its dreamy, lo-fi sound and use of unconventional chord progressions. Musically, the song is written in the key of F major, but creatively uses chromatic mediants, borrowed chords, and modal interchange to establish a unique harmony. The song also uses dynamic contrast to create a dreamlike atmosphere, increasing the song’s overall psychedelic effect.

“Lord Only Knows” by Beck is a blend of folk and country with a touch of alternative rock. The song features an interesting chord progression, especially in Verse 3, which includes a mixture of major and minor chords as well as a few borrowed chords.

“Landslide” by The Smashing Pumpkins is a subtly complicated piece of music. At first glance, the chord progression may seem simple, but it actually incorporates a number of rich musical techniques that give the song its iconic depth and emotional resonance. The song follows a simple yet powerful chord progression and relies heavily on the interplay between the root C major chord, the G6, and the Am minor. There is a recurring theme of returning to the G6, which creates tension and suggests feelings of melancholy or introspection.

“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley is a popular and iconic song that showcases Jeff Buckley’s unique vocal talent and emotional delivery. The song is in the key of C major and features a simple yet effective chord progression. The song’s memorable melody is accompanied by guitar, which uses arpeggiated fingerpicking. This adds to its musical depth and also creates dynamic rhythmic interest. The song builds in intensity as it progresses, and this, along with the powerful lyrics, contributes to the overall emotional impact of the piece.

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’]