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Trending Music Theory Alchemy

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is a dark and provocative piece built upon a relentless, driving chord progression and sinuous melodies. The downbeat feel and chromaticism contribute to the brooding, unsettling mood of the song, which is a hallmark of the industrial rock genre. The piece is in the key of B minor.

“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.

“Sometimes It Snows In April” is a song by Prince in the pop style. It’s characterized by its use of extended and added note chords, as seen in the chord progression for Verse 3. This advanced harmonic content gives the song a distinct, rich, and complex musical texture, typical of Prince’s style.

The outro of Beck’s song “Morning” features a beautiful and interesting chord progression in the key of E major. This progression has a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords that creates an evocative sonority and dreamy atmosphere, fitting seamlessly with the rest of the song.

“Heartbreaker” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock song that utilizes a chord progression that is stereotypical of the genre. The verse and chorus unfold in the key of E minor, with the verse using primarily a cycle of Em7 and Am7. In terms of musical mood and expressivity, the progression conveys a melancholic yet energetic feeling, which is characteristic of the rock genre.

“Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles, composed by George Harrison, features a complex and stylistically unique chord progression. The song is primarily in the key of D major, with elements of modal interchange (also known as borrowed chords) from both the parallel minor key (D minor) and other modes, including the Mixolydian mode.

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Music Theory Alchemy

“Feeling Good” by Muse is a cover of the song originally written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1964 musical “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd”. Muse’s version is characterized by its distinct blend of jazz, rock, and pop influences, with strong orchestration and stylistically unique elements that give the song a modern edge while still paying homage to its classic roots.

“Hurt” is a song written and composed by Trent Reznor, best known for its version covered by Johnny Cash in C major. The song employs a commonly used pop/rock chord progression (vi- IV- I- V), that aids the conveyance of the theme of regret and redemption. The use of the minor vi chord (Am) as the starting point of the progression provides a very melancholy feel that aligns with the overall tone of regret in the lyrics. The progression then moves to a major IV (F), suggestive of a brief glimpse of hope or relief, before settling into the home key of C. The progression rounds off with a V chord (G), propelling the sequence back to the beginning again, giving a cyclic, repeating, and enduring feel to the music.

“Time” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock piece characterized by its reflective lyrics, syncopated rhythms, and distinctive use of chromaticism and modality. This chord progression takes place in the third verse of the song, where the harmonic structure is more complex and features borrowed chords, creating a sense of tension and resolution, reflecting the lyrics and conveying emotions of nostalgia and regret.

“Creep” by Radiohead is an alternative rock song in the key of G major, with a somewhat melancholic tone. The chord progression used is iconic, and it heavily relies on borrowed chords to create tension and resolution in the harmony. This use of chords creates a distinct sound that has become synonymous with the song.