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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.

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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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“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals is a well-known folk song that has been adapted into a blues ballad with a haunting quality. The verse chord progression features a combination of minor and major chords that contribute to its emotional intensity, while also creating a sense of tension and resolution.

“Let It Be” by The Beatles is a song in the key of C Major. The chord progression featured in Verse 3 of the song, C – G – Am – Am/G – Fmaj7 – F6 – C – G – F – C/E – Dm7 – C, is a common progression in pop music. It has a repetitive structure and revolves around the I-V-vi-VI progression.

“Sexx Laws” by Beck is a unique and interesting piece that combines elements of various musical styles including funk, rock, and pop. The chord progression found in Verse 3 is quite simple yet effective, creating a sense of tension and release.

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’]