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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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 chord progression in the chorus of Tyler, The Creator’s “See You Again” exhibits a combination of diatonic and chromatic movements, with the use of borrowed chords and altered dominants that create tension and release. The song is in the key of F# major.

“Right Where It Belongs” by Nine Inch Nails features a melancholic and somewhat unconventional chord progression that moves between different tonal centers. The base key can be identified as F major from the frequency of F major chords in the progression.

“Paint It Black” plays with minor tonality, which isn’t extremely common in rock and roll music of the era. The song is in the key of E minor and uses the chords Em, B, D, G, and A. The verse has an interesting use of harmonies, incorporating the minor i, major V, minor iv, major bIII, and major IV chords.

“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin is characterized by its distinctive blues-rock style and its highly memorable, driving riff. The bulk of the song revolves around the E5 (E power) chord, with occasional transitions to the D5 chord at the beginning of each phrase, giving the song a simple yet highly effective chord progression. The song is in the key of E Mixolydian.

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