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The chord progression in the interlude of “Are We Still Friends?” by Tyler, The Creator is a simple yet effective progression that moves from the tonic chord to a dominant seventh, followed by a subdominant chord, and finally a minor subdominant chord. The progression creates an interesting shift in tonality that is common in jazz and soul music, which are styles that Tyler is known to incorporate into his work.

The piece “See You Again,” written by Tyler, The Creator, features a harmonically rich and somewhat unexpected chord progression. It steps away from traditional diatonic harmony, and instead experiments with the use of borrowed chords, particularly through the incorporation of the F#(b5) chord. This results in a unique and distinctive sound to the piece, as it mixes a sense of tension and resolution through the progression.

“Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane is a pop/rock song written in the key of A Major, although the chord progression given seems to be transposed to the key of C Major. It is characterized by its use of repeated motifs and sequenced chord progressions to create a sense of familiarity and typical of the pop genre.

“My Name Is Jonas” by Weezer is a 90s alternative rock song featuring a catchy chord progression and memorable melodies. The verse 2 chord progression consists of a repeated set of chords: C, G, Am, F. This progression is common in popular music and creates a sense of familiarity for the listener. The key is C Major.

“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.

Tyler, The Creator – Are We Still Friends – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

E, E7, A, Am, E, E7, A, Am

Chord Progression Analysis

E Major (I) – E Dominant 7 (I7) – A Major (IV) – A Minor (iv) – E Major (I) – E Dominant 7 (I7) – A Major (IV) – A Minor (iv)

Borrowed Chord:
`A Minor (iv)`

Similar Chord Progressions

Although not identical, a similar chord progression with borrowed chords can be found in the song “Something” by The Beatles. The progression in this song also starts on a major chord (C), moves to dominant 7 chord (C7), goes to the subdominant (F), then introduces a borrowed chord (Fm) from the parallel minor key.

Chord Progression in “Something” by The Beatles:
C Major (I) – C Dominant 7 (I7) – F Major (IV) – F Minor (iv)

In both cases, the use of borrowed chords and dominant 7 chords adds an emotional depth and richness to the harmony, making the progressions memorable and distinctive.

Musical Analysis

The progression starts with an E major chord (I), which sets a strong tonic center. It then adds an extra note to create an E dominant 7 chord (I7), creating tension and anticipation by shifting the mood slightly. The tension is then released as the progression moves to the A major chord (IV), the subdominant chord in the key of E major. The progression introduces the borrowed chord, A minor (iv), which is borrowed from the parallel minor key, E minor. This chord creates a sense of surprise and melancholy due to the unexpected appearance of a minor chord in a major key.

This movement is then repeated for a total of two times, further solidifying the emotional contrast and familiarity of the progression for the listener. The choice to repeat the progression serves to reinforce the distinct harmony and provide an easily memorable pattern for the listener.

Overall Analysis

The given chord progression is found in Verse 2 of Tyler, The Creator’s song “Are We Still Friends.” The song is in the key of E major, and the progression features a mix of major, minor, and dominant seventh chords. The distinctive chromatic movement and the use of borrowed chords make for a memorable and unique progression. The combination of these elements results in a lush and emotionally charged progression which contributes greatly to the overall feel of the song.

Style Analysis

Tyler, The Creator is known for his eclectic and innovative style that blends a variety of genres such as hip-hop, R&B, funk, and soul. In “Are We Still Friends,” the use of the borrowed chord adds a sense of emotional depth and surprise, which is characteristic of Tyler’s signature style. The progression provides a lush harmonic foundation for the song’s introspective lyrics, which touch on themes of lost friendships and nostalgia.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Are We Still Friends by Tyler, The Creator are:

E, E7, A, Am, E, E7, A, Am