Why You Feel Nostalgia from this Angsty Chord

What happens when you mix the chords from relative major and minor keys?
🎹 Is This Book the Key to Anime & J-POP Music? • Is This Book Your Key ...
It turns out that Relative Multipolar Tonality, an idea outlined by Kayano Chino in the book Japanese Music Harmony, is not that unusual a harmonic technique. We look at a handful of American and British pop songs that all use a mixture of chords from the major key and its relative minor.
Songs included:
Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
Cryin' by Aerosmith
Don't Look Back in Anger by Oasis
I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles
Creep by Radiohead
Steven Universe Opening by Rebecca Sugar
Space Oddity by David Bowie
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[@RyanLeach]

⚠️ NOTE: The publisher filed a copyright claim and I had to remove the excerpt of Creep. Sorry! Luckily Steven Universe's chord progression sounds exactly the same. 😴 Also thanks for your concern everyone but I sleep just fine, dark circles are genetic and my father and grandma had them too! I want to clear some things up with the theory. Yes I know modal interchange and borrowed chords exist, I am not at all suggesting that we can't get a perfectly clean analysis of any of these songs with those frames of reference. I love modal interchange and use it all the time! What I’m presenting here is just another lens to look at things, which supports and does not deny the modal relationship between these chords. The reason “multipolar tonality”, which yes is a term someone recently made up, is being used here is because we’re specifically looking at key centers. Not just using colorful chords from similar modes, but how those chords suggest different keys within a passage. What makes the theory interesting, and different from modal interchange, is that while you can use modal interchange for an isolated chord, the “key fluctuations” happen at the phrase level. So a phrase with the chords “C Eb” would not really make sense in the context of multipolar tonality. “Relative Multipolar Tonality” is not in itself particularly interesting and I think many people are overthinking it. It’s just talking about music that flows between a major key and it’s relative minor, that’s all. It’s a stepping stone to the more colorful and interesting versions of multipolar tonality that are not discussed in this specific video.

[@xxxxneoxxxx]

Yes, having different perspectives is great. It helps more people understand how it works.

[@Michael-dj6pd]

I rarely think about "constructing" a song note by note, when writing music myself, and often happen by similar chords once in a while, so it's actually nice, having some words on what these mean. I know I'm just some stranger on the internet, but, you should get some sleep. I struggle with sleep myself, but I can tell from the slight swelling to the color around your eyes that you are in need of some good rest. Take care.

[@ChordYoga]

Without falling down the rabbit hole of linguistics - modal interchange, borrowed chords and similar terms actually don't exist, irl that is. These are all "recently (+/-100 years) made up", simply words, or rather tools which provide us with a way of 'measuring' a sound or a soundscape effectively so we can identify, apply and tweak its effects in different contexts. Very practical. E.g. If you got a ruler handy chances are that you get a straight piece of wood out of that log, btw without hurting your inspiration ;) In short, having a new distinct term for "how those chords suggest different keys within a passage" is very useful to expand one's own sonic palette. And keep it organized, lol. I think Chris McDonald used the term "modal subversions" for similar passages in Kurt Cobain's music, "Exploring modal subversions in alternative music", insightful read. Anyhow, amazing vid!

[@TheProfessor66]

Steven universe sucks

[@evilymusic]

@@Michael-dj6pd i know you mean well, but it’s not respectful to make assumptions about strangers’ health or give them unsolicited advice. you don’t know their experience. i have a friend with Chron’s and it causes that appearance around the eyes for her. she CONSTANTLY hears invasive health questions/advice from people who mean well about “getting more rest” and “taking better care of herself.” it’s not meant to be rude, but, quite frankly, another person’s health isn’t anyone else’s business unless they are in direct danger or they make it someone else’s business. gotta presume competence and respect that people are likely to know themselves and their personal health needs better than a stranger would.

[@mizzle2]

as someone who thinks music theory is super cool and yet knows nothing about it, everything you're saying is going over my head but I'm enjoying it anyways

[@firehydranttm5259]

s

[@katie_cant_compute]

Same😂

[@the_rose_titty]

Yeah it's total "I like your funny words magic man" but also super interesting

[@quasar9745]

Start learning then

[@Mekwek]

o ya man for sure

[@smallengineshop112]

This dude looks like he hasn’t slept in three days.

[@tiaausten_]

That’s a bit rude..?

[@smallengineshop112]

@@tiaausten_ I Didn't mean it offensively, just poking fun.

[@harleyjo4875]

@@smallengineshop112except that when you’re making a joke at someone’s expense, that’s objectively being offensive, that’s where the humor lies: being offensive to someone you wouldn’t normally be offensive to, whether it be a very close friend (the normal way to make this joke) or a complete stranger (the other common way to make this joke, but usually comes off as being rude due to the unfamiliarity). You’re creating a parasocial relationship with this content creator and trying to make a joke saying “oh I was just poking fun” when you guys don’t have that kind of relationship; you’re just being an asshole. Yes, he does indeed look like he hasn’t slept in three days, but you pointing that out doesn’t just “make it a joke”. Hey, smallengineshop112, I think you have shite people skills. Don’t worry though, it’s just an observation and I’m just poking fun, so don’t take it too personally, okay?? You and I don’t have that relationship where I can say things like that and make it not inherently offensive. The same way you don’t have a relationship with Ryan. Just because he puts videos out on the internet doesn’t mean you and him are chums.

[@TeamGrimm07]

@@harleyjo4875Bro really wrote a 4 paragraph essay to someone not even addressing them. The comment wasn’t even that offensive.

[@TheSpicyFalafel]

@@harleyjo4875holy shit touch grass

[@littlemouse7066]

David Bowie was a master in using strange chord progressions and this has been said by the musicians who worked with him over the years. One of the jazz musicians who worked with him on his last album was absolutely amazed by the very strange chords he used. there is an interview from him on this platform wich is very enlightning.

[@enduser63]

Yep,life on Mars has 26 chords , well played on piano by rick wakeman. Bowie was asked during a phone in live what advice could you give me and my band,, without hesitation Bowie replied" Get a good lawyer"

[@johnbryant6610]

David Bowie has always utilized sophisticated chord progressions, but I think he approached them in an intuitive way. I believe theory is important & has its purpose, but I don't think that great artists like Bowie "construct" their music in an analytical left brain fashion like a lot of theorists do. Theory's great after the fact I think.

[@calebfleming2570]

I absolutely agree@@johnbryant6610 When I'm writing leads or anything like that I always start with their general melody first and then work with theory to establish my backing tracks.

[@mattkase6644]

​@@johnbryant6610^^^THIS^^^

[@RAFMnBgaming]

@@johnbryant6610 It depends and it's probably mostly a mix of the two. You do have to remember that outside of a few outliers, intuition for most people comes from familiarity. Whether through formal learning or trial and error, a songwriter is gonna learn "oh, that sounds like that when I do that" for a bunch of things at some point and yeah, they will probably internalise it over time but that doesn't mean that they don't know it.

[@Happyradio1234]

I love when chords clash and it sounds both heavenly and hellish at the same time.

[@TheOttozone1]

The Creep and Steven Universe had me rolling. What a breakdown of angsty and melancholy music.

[@shyfrog3731]

I don't know what I am going to do with that knowledge, but I am marking it as important anyways.

[@joshc5613]

it honestly makes me want to put the Creep vocals over the SU theme to see what it would sound like, since the key and chord progression are already so similar

[@888fluffy]

There's another Steven universe song that has a very similar progression to radiohead's No Surprises. Weird that this happened twice.

[@mooraga4314]

@@888fluffy what's the Steven universe song ?

[@ronaldcatullus]

There’s also The Hollies song ‘The Air That I Breathe’. Namely the chorus is the same chord progression throughout ‘Creep’. Amazing what different sounds you can get from the same basic foundation

[@foosmonkey]

This gives the line "I don't belong here" in Radiohead's "Creep" a whole new meaning.

[@aciid5081]

does the line play on the chord that "don't belong here"

[@aponix0214]

SJSUDSKSIHSJS 😅

[@1700yungin]

The chord progression was stolen

[@1700yungin]

@@figgleston The Hollies “If I Could Fly”

[@waltz251]

@@aciid5081 yeah the iv, not the one that this video is about though but it does appear here

[@heidikakan6949]

There’s a song by David Bowie called “Five Years”. The song itself is really depressing as it discusses how the world is dying and only has five years left to live. Anyways, near the end of the song in the chorus, there is a guitar solo that captured my attention immediately when I first listened to it because of how out of place it sounded. It is my favorite part of the song and I always say how it reminds me of somebody crying or weeping. Although it sounds so weird compared to the other instruments in the background, it captures the meaning and vibe of the song, beautifully.

[@extrasugarlicetea]

Five years, that’s all we got, we got five years!

[@be_my_clementine]

​@@extrasugarliceteafive years!!!

[@nisanurbaltac2703]

The way he shouted "...And all the nobody people, and all the somebody people, I never thought I'd need" and that downwards pull when he slowly says "so many people" gives me chills every single time.

[@JB-ti7bl]

I don't think the world is dying in that song, the robots are programed with a 5-year lifespan.

[@Yaunie13]

I started composing music like this without realizing just because I've been influenced by the music of anime and JRPGs my whole life. Seeing it spelt out makes a lot of sense now!

[@thatguyalex2835]

HxH (2011) is the best anime, and needs a new season. Prove me wrong. :)

[@ATPlays]

@@thatguyalex2835 W

[@JoyOfCreativeService]

This man is very educational, but he looks like he spent 72 hours straight learning the information, and then immediately presented it to us

[@drdanger8609]

Lol your right

[@PNUTT4444]

Yeah. On that cocaine train. Up for days and got his eyes blacked out. And his nose swollen and red as Rudolph’s. lol 😆

[@JohnsdotterRestorations]

I came here to see if anyone else was concerned about the dark circles around his eyes. Sir, are you okay? Seriously.

[@toziassmitt]

@@JohnsdotterRestorations believe it or not, some people just look like that. I have the same thing lol. Always look dead tired

[@caoimhedoesstuff9293]

@@toziassmitt sounds like an iron deficiency

[@Tokechan]

I started finger-picking the chords for Steven Universe last week, in like triplets on the first 3 strings of my ukulele without singing, and I was like… wait… is this Creep. Very timely having it confirmed in this video!

[@jonathanbarkins8480]

I've never watched Steven universe or heard the song so it just sounded like a radiohead song to me

[@Jack_Woods]

But I'm a Crystal Gem I'm a weirdoo

[@Tokechan]

@@Jack_Woods lol I was literally singing this yesterday to try to demonstrate to my girlfriend that they're the same song

[@alenaalena6851]

I was playing the Steven Universe theme on my guitar recently and when my dad started belting Creep along from the other room I got so mad because I knew I'd never unhear it. :,)

[@thejhonnie]

@@Tokechan would ur gf appreciate you're subscribed to rapunzel ASMR lol

[@vixxcelacea2778]

Loss. Bitter sweet. Nostalgia is fond memories for something gone. Creep fits perfectly, because it's the feeling that he's lost something he never had, the person he desires in the song and how he feels about himself.

[@LennyUltra]

Another example: The End - My Chemical Romance The progression makes it feel as if it is indeed the end. Then *that* chord comes along and suddenly you start to question everything you stand for, like "IS it the end?!?"

[@waycer8869]

Scarecrow by MCR also does the same thing! Very nostalgic and melancholy. The minor 4 is so magical feeling lolol.

[@TheLugiaSong]

I understood maybe 10% of this, but it is FASCINATING to me that there's an actual system and rule to this very distinct musical emotion. I adore everything melancholic, so uh, guess I have a favourite chord thing or whatever.

[@danrazART]

Hi If you like melancholic songs Try these out. And do share your favourite melancholic songs with us so we can expand our list. Thanks. Neil young - DONT CRY MY SWEET LOVE. khalid anum - pira ho Def leppard - desert song Hollies- the air that i breath. Doors-you are lost little girl. Kishor kumar- o sathi rey Mehnaz- sitara ki sapna.

[@robertharris6092]

Its what youre raised to associate music with. james camerson and the composor when working on avatar hired a whole team of people that specialize in music from other cultures and the whole... "Non eurocentric" (i almost never use that word but it fits here) world. And they went and made basically a whole new music system. And then threw it out because they couldnt use it to "manipulate" peoples emotions like how you usually see/hear in movies. Edit: i found the video i originaly saw on it. Its "why avatar has the most ironic soundtrack of all time" by sidways.

[@djatlasmusik]

I modulate chord often in my songs in my Minecraft init song

[@sierraa.bryant9322]

YES

[@danrazART]

@@robertharris6092 i think they got confused. Every culture probably has happy and sad notes. Etc. It is like saying only European colours reflect certain emotions. Colors and notes are universal. It is how you say things is unique to certain cultures.

[@doctordumbass9425]

He's studied music theory for 47 years straight... no breaks at all

[@AmariKhumalo]

Sounds like John Williams.. bum bum da bum bum DAAA!!!!!

[@jordanburkert6208]

He certainly looks like he did

[@metelineblue294]

I've been living for 20 years

[@EylunaIlista]

And he's only 31 years old! Crazy!!

[@RobinsMusic]

@@jordanburkert6208 damn burn lol

[@MrOwl1985]

Duuuude! I am so happy the youtube algorithm brought me to your channel! We need more of people like you, Charles Cornell, Rick Beato etc. out there. The way you guys are able to communicate these advanced harmonic concepts to the layman is wonderful to see. I am a music educator myself and seeing how you guys teach us is a wonderful example to follow into my own classroom.

[@patolizac23]

ive always loved these "wrong notes" so im glad to see it actually makes sense

[@bear_cub2136]

Your description of Space Oddity is perfect. "Is it happy or sad" "hopeful or hopeless". I hear Space Oddity as the stereotyped "happy?" ending, where in the end you've won, but your unsure if the cost was worth it...

[@burpie3258]

Amazing!

[@user-qf2rx8ir3n]

UGGGHHHH AAAAAGGHHAAAA yeah bro. FFFGGFGGGRRFFFGGHHH UUUAAAHHAAAAAAAHH neat interpretation dude. GGGUYGGHHHGGGHHAAAGGHHFFBBBB AAAAARRAAGGGHHMMMNNNMM

[@sackpersoncool]

Pyrrhic is the word you're looking for.

[@jajaa4837]

I’ve won, but at what cost ?

[@paintyxd]

you're*

[@chrisbrowder771]

I've been trying to figure out this Japanese chord thing for so long I am really grateful to you for making this video.

[@luisbadolato]

My 2 cents: Major Scale: I IIm IIIm IV V VIm VIIº JPOP Chords Swiss Army Knife: II7 -> IIm7b5 -> Imaj7 // VIm7 -> Vm7 I7 -> IVmaj7 -> bVII7 -> Imaj7 // Imaj7/5 -> #IVm7b5 -> IVm6 -> IIIm7 etc

[@waltz251]

@@luisbadolato VIm7 - Vm7 - I7 - IVmaj7 - bVII7 - Imaj7 hmm I think we could write it more functionally as a tonicization of the IV chord and a backdoor resolution to the I (IIIm7 - IIm7 - V7 - Imaj7) (bVII7 - Imaj7)

[@CultureDTCTV]

Same here. I've been hearing chord progressions like this in tons of anime songs

[@ivansoto9723]

The chords used in Japanese music varies ALOT depending on the genre but the one re-occurring theme is a strong understanding of music theory. Many songs out there will take full advantage of dominant chords, their alterations, secondary dominants, borrowed chords/modal interchange Longer and/or more variations of a progression. Various resources I have had for learning Japanese styled music theory~ KZbin: kzbin.info/door/8Gj-yMpZT2C9UKzpWygxkQ OzaShin (Has composed for AKB48 and BGM for Quintessential Quintuplets and other side projects) (Has very useful books for sale but all are in Japanese) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpPXaHl5i62snKc Masa City Pop kzbin.info/www/bejne/haSmeZZ3mph6hLM Gavin Leeper kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGWadIh3mJxobLM OSTER PROJECT kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5DQZ52aiNGaqsk Random Channel kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXuaqpujlMyDrtk Black Adder Chord kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppbMZp-aqcd8bbc Ongaku Concept kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYmTo4t8g8eSoNk Yoshito Kimura Websites: khufrudamonotes.com/ (Yoshito's website) www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/artists/s/shiina-ringo Look for your favorite Japanese Artists on Hooktheory Other Stuff I bookmarked: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mo7wY14HYi7PhnRst_a-9c4Sx9cLGNQlkf3ovcwLFF8/edit#gid=0 o-to.khufrudamonotes.com/ sakkyoku.info/theory/

[@luisbadolato]

@@waltz251 I guess depending on the context of the song it could make sense to analyze it that way. I've always seen that kind of progressions not so much as "micro-modulations" but as simply using secondary dominants, in that case the progression would look like this: VIm7 -> IIm7(relative to the secondary dominant) V7/IV(secondary dominant) -> IVmaj7 -> bVII7(backdoor as you mentioned) -> Imaj7. Being the chords: Am7 -> Gm7(relative to the secondary dominant) C7(secondary dominant) -> Fmaj7 -> Bb7(backdoor as you mentioned) -> Cmaj7

[@thenerdbyrd7026]

iv has got to be my favorite chord of all time. Its so sad and fits so well in any song to just rip your heart out. It's very easy to notice in a song because of its dissonance to the key, yet its gorgeous feel.

[@signalfreud]

This is awesome, the way you formatted it was really helpful. Between Cryin' and Don't Look Back in Anger the source of bittersweet nostalgia really clicked for me.

[@not_anymore]

I really liked that description of Space Oddity. "Is it hopeful, or is it hopeless?". You can actually hear that. God damn what a perfectly fitting usage of words.

[@danrazART]

Exactly! So magical!

[@danrazART]

And kurt cobain rendition of the man who sold the world.

[@Natatattatification]

Soon as he said that I was like “Yes! That’s exactly what it feels like to listen to that song”

[@burpie3258]

❤️

[@spicyflour7468]

david was such a genius

[@franzylltheory]

I make Jpop/Jrock, and this note is definitely one of the keys to achieve this sound. I call it (the magic b6). I usually use flat 6 diminished chords or iv minor keys that include this note.

[@ajy0]

do you have any specific jpop songs wif the magic b6 that you could recommend :))))

[@logangilchrist4354]

@@ajy0 just listen to good music, I suggest Metallica.

[@franzylltheory]

@@ajy0 Radwimps あいとわ 、Zutomayo - あいつら全員同窓会 、Yoasobi - 夜に駆ける　and if you listen to bands like Back Number or Yorushika its scattered all around. It happens on the chord progressions with major III chords or minor iv chords and in melodies as a spicy note.

[@spreadkindnessyall]

@@logangilchrist4354Yes, I like Metallica too. My dad introduced me to it, I really like exploring music. Regardless of what genre, as long as it's good.

[@alwaysabiggafish3305]

@@logangilchrist4354 you're joking right? lol

[@btbb3726]

Great job of communicating the message - not too much information that might only serve to distract. The scripting and visuals were very helpful. Thanks! 👍🏻

[@Raven3557]

Just discovered your channel, and i love it. I know nothing of music theory but I really enjoy hearing about it and seeing the notes played in real time and you showing where to hear the specific tone is a godsend. Keep up the awesome work

[@counter3911]

The Steven universe was definitely made to sound like space oddity, I have always thought that

[@thomaszloi9444]

Yes that is thing creators confirmed it

[@mememanfresh]

i knew it

[@darkforest9087]

There’s a Bowie reference in the show when Greg is showing Steven what inspired the Universe last name in SUF

[@disco_depression]

@@darkforest9087 is it the album cover with a man wearing very shiny purple eyeshadow?

[@chaton897]

@@disco_depression yesh

[@ivymoon5084]

The notion that you can just raise the tempo of creep, add the melody of space oddity and basically get the Steven universe theme is something I'm amazed by

[@necromantic318]

That explains why I like these songs so much, they rly speak to me. Thank you for making this video!

[@Natasha___.]

I can remember being a really small child and being really affected by this sound. til this very day certain parts of certain songs make me feel sort of happy/sad, sometimes it literally hurts my heart like the pain you get when you think back to a person you miss. It got to the point where I had to avoid listening to music, because the reaction I had was so strong and I couldn't control it. Sometimes it actually made me cry. I know I sound like a crazy person, but it's something I've struggled with all my life and I now feel a bit better knowing why. Now I'd like to know if anyone else has been affected to the same extent as me, or am I just a nutcase?

[@awaredeshmukh3202]

Nah there's songs that I can't listen to because of the melancholy/nostalgic chord progression too!

[@Neytiristree]

@@awaredeshmukh3202 SAME

[@jocelyn2017]

I feel exactly the same way. I have always had problems with that same concept, music makes me so emotional. I always thought I was the only one

[@rmmco]

" the pain you get when you think back to a person you miss." Until now I thougth that I was the only one. It's really really painfull. In my mind I have a list of songs or instrumentals that are completely forbiden because the moment I hear the first note of that song the images of missing ones mixed with that sound make me cry. I hate to be this way.

[@Womble1252]

Mate for sure, I remember first learning some chords out of a little book and just thumb strumming the Am open chord and tears a flow..then the Em whoa! I come to realise sounds of chords and music affects everyone differently, and I'm sensitive to this. I remember being a tiny kid and when my folks played stevie wonders 'happy birthday', I felt some pain/emotion in some of those changes!!

[@51gan788]

All the songs mentioned at the end which descend into something "bittersweet" are exactly the kinda songs I tend to love. So if anyone can recommend any similar sounding songs, I would be very grateful

[@bluestrela]

Space oddity? That's also the type of song I'm very into, I'd enjoy recommendations too!! :D

[@51gan788]

@@bluestrela I saw someone in the comments recommending some songs: Maluco beleza by Raul Seixas Aline by Christophe Happier than ever by Billie Eilish There's a kind of hush by Capenters

[@bluestrela]

@@51gan788 thanks so much! a few that get me the same vibe, that I can recall right now, are A Great Day for Freedom by Pink Floyd and a few parts of Telegraph Road by Dire Straits

[@flansaph]

maybe "sweet hibiscus tea" by penelope scott

[@michaelbrixx716]

Maybe “Open Arms” by Journey. Gives me that Nostalgic school dance with your crush vibes.

[@icarus6492]

Being a self taught guitarist, I realized that I found out these theories by myself and never thought there was a technical or psychological aspect to it until now. I just play random chords and think “hey, that sounds kinda good. Let’s keep doing that!”

[@abreebee]

That’s the way I started too. Once I started actually *learning* music theory, though, that natural inclination helped it all come together.

[@1Flyingfist]

That sounds like a much better way to do it! With all due respect, if I try and listen to videos like this, I start to fall asleep. 😔 This kind of thing, is why people give up on playing instruments. Music theory is depressing. But actually playing / listening to music is great at times.

[@ZhuGeLiang6969]

@@1Flyingfist bro its all the same in all field.. theory is always boring.. but if u wanna advance or paasing down the skill to other generation, u cant just... pass down the feel... 🙄 so both end have the benefit if one can master it... music is life

[@acynthus3587]

Exactly I love making music and would do it as a career if I could. But not with music theory. It makes me want to shoot myself its so boring and awful.

[@1Flyingfist]

@@ZhuGeLiang6969 Naaa, when I was doing the "theory" for becoming a snowboarding instructor, I was like 👀. It's the way that music theory is taught, that's the problem. Learning music, (albeit European music) the American way, is much easier on the ear than learning the UK abrsm way 🤔. I watched a video by Grace Terzian (? spelling) and I understood what she was talking about, straight away. If I'd had her as my music teacher 30 years ago, I wouldn't have given up on playing the clarinet. But then you watch some other videos by other KZbinrs and they may as well be speaking in Mandarin.

[@Big-Sexy]

I’ve always really liked this exact sound in music. I was never able to explain to people why it makes me feel so good. Thank you for making this video.

[@soviet_nacho]

I'm so touched by this video. Pretty cool stuff. Thanks.

[@gassug2]

this is it. i've always tried to describe this chord. i've described it as "warm in a grotesque manner", but "angsty" hits the nail on the head

[@Campusanis]

Wow, I actually think "warm in a grotesque manner" is a really great way to put it, that's exactly what I hear!

[@bugjams]

I wonder if it's because the chord almost sounds like a voice crack? Our brains recognize a sharp high chord in speech as a voice crack, which is associated with teenage years and - importantly - when people cry and their voice cracks. Maybe that's why it's such a nostalgic and bittersweet sound. It sounds similar something we might remember from being teenagers or when we were crying... Similar to a theory on how violins evoke emotion because they sound the most similar to human vocals?

[@NahTrust]

Melancholy!!

[@kaidwyer]

yeah, when the twisted chord hits it’s like you were drinking a glass of milk but then it suddenly spoiled in your mouth… warmly

[@gassug2]

​@@Campusanis it makes sense, since it's a major chord, that's where that gentle almost-warmth comes from. but it's grotesque because it contains an augmented fifth, a chromatic note. it's like an out of place smile in an otherwise twisted and uncomfortable environment (because that chord is diatonically minor, so what we get is a crooked smile where we expect a played-straight frown)

[@FmFnBeats]

For me the minor iv chord always has a „bittersweetness“ to it. Like, it‘s always embedded in otherwise really resolved progressions and kinda acts as the sting of sadness you get when thinking of nostalgic memories. Yeah, now that i think of it, using I-IV-iv-I may just be the embodiment of Nostalgia for me. The bittersweet sadness within happy memories.

[@JKKUSA]

My college music theory professor called it the “my dog died” chord.

[@IAmElectrospecter]

I couldn't picture what this would sound like in my head (I IV iv I) so I just played it on the piano and it sounds like a Game Over screen

[@brandontadday6288]

For me it always evoked a sense of wonder, awe and overall cosmic epicness. I can definitely get the bitter-sweet vibes to it as well!

[@simplyz3964]

@@JKKUSA clearly your professor is the greatest in terms of terminology

[@RowdyClouds]

The thing is I don’t understand why many music theorists act like this is exclusive to the iv chord. Do this with any chord and you get the same effect. I, I, i, i there you go major to minor my dog ded. I like doing a G minor then tritone Dflat major and finally Dflat minor do get that lowering depressing feel but with a really odd sound due to the progression

[@stevensmith5158]

Wow, I never thought about how the arrangement of these sounds triggered the feelings you described before. Astounding and extremely enjoyable. I'm familiar with all these song and also love anime music. And now you and your channel. Music has always been "My Church", healing, motivational and many other things. Thank you.

[@dovebair]

Oh man thank you!! I have just now gotten to this point in my hobby music theory education, and was trying to figure this out myself. I appreciate how you explain this in a very clear and easy to understand way. You saved me a ton of work! Thank you!! thank you!! thank you!!

[@joshvanv5281]

It’s sort of a liminal space kinda feeling. An eerie nostalgic song you should check out is sleepwalk. It’s a 50s song so that kinda adds to the affect

[@bexbayman7638]

Yes!

[@FakenameStevens]

Also Space Song by Beach house

[@jrurbbehdidiwdnndjduw85eos73]

People learn about liminal spaces and have to use the term everywhere

[@danielawesome36]

@@jrurbbehdidiwdnndjduw85eos73 Most people probably don't even know that Liminal Space: Basically anything that's similar in function to a Hallway. But this guy probably knows.😅

[@VenomhuskVideos]

@@jrurbbehdidiwdnndjduw85eos73 I feel though the term works here, especially because of the "nostalgic" feeling

[@danaeclean1328]

bruh. this video managed to explain a whole ass playlist i've made and titled "songs that give me THAT vibe". this made me realize why i get so attached to certain types of sounds, feeling this bittersweet feeling of "future nostalgia", as i like to call it. bless you for making this.

[@OakleyandFuzz]

i have a playlist dedicated to exactly this " songs wot do the funny thing i cant describe ". I wonder how many there are :' ) been wanting someone to explain the musical science behind it for ages and this vid found me

[@danaeclean1328]

@@OakleyandFuzz man, i know right. i always look out for songs like these, that give me this indescribable feeling. it's truly astonishing how humans get so attached to certain sounds or even scents, just to bring back memories or visualise the future.

[@AmariKhumalo]

Cannibal Corpse- Hammer Smashed Face gives me hardcore nostalgia feelings, same for Necrophagist- Fermented Offal Discharge.

[@dogestranding5047]

i am in your walls

[@jennnnn222]

vibrations by montero :) and what once was by hers give me The vibe !

[@sirflycatcher]

WOW I was not ready to get hit with Such Great Heights!! Love that song. Came here to say you've got a really great voice - it was really nice listening to you teach!

[@a7dv7en7t]

Thank you for this. This opened my mind up to the beauty of music.

[@adrianrincon8766]

Never crossed my mind that space oddity and the Steven universe intro were SOOOO similar harmonically

[@pedrogomezid]

I fucking love how such an upbeat song like ‘We Are The Crystal Gems’ manages to sound so nostalgic using this, it’s a lot like what the show does.

[@bear-qe7ep]

Bro, I loved this. Thank you for sharing! 👍

[@milk1fan552]

amazing video! Will definitely note this for my own songs in a future!

[@jayel1471]

It creates the feeling of numinosity - a feeling that is both sad and happy and neither and both- feeling overwhelmed with emotion at the sheer size of universe around us.

[@JD-ny3vz]

You always got something to fucking say don't you

[@oceanzanyang3850]

2:18 I can't unhear Pachelbel's Canon now

[@Thoracius]

Missed opportunity to mention The Air That I Breath while mentioning Creep and Steven Uni. Best song that did it. Lots of other cool key modulations and stuff in that song as well.

[@TheLemonyBard]

As soon as you said David Bowie and Steven Universe I figured out the chord, and the anime section solidified that. Really excellent video to show how and why it works so well!

[@dmbanisi]

Totally! At first I was still confused about what he was saying cause I couldn't hear it. But once those songs came on. It just clicked!

[@superclarendon8648]

Another Radiohead song that uses this formula is “Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong“, also in C; it just mixes up the order of the verse chords in another dramatically melancholic and pleasing way.

[@macworldleader]

I love that b side

[@superclarendon8648]

@@macworldleader Whole EP is awesome and unique in that some of the sounds on it don’t appear anywhere else in their discography. I think it’s crazy they went from it to The Bends in a year. Two different flavors of the early band, I guess. Underrated period.

[@ninxq4980]

this is why i love that song so much! it's brilliant.

[@ronaldhorgan9040]

another is exit music. it’s in am and the second chord is a E major

[@ashleymorrison3984]

I hope your channel continues to grow because it's extremely helpful.

[@mak2488]

Fun fact : Lana Del Rey was unsuccessfully sued by Radiohead for her use of this chord progression in her song ‘Get Free’ from her ‘Lust For Life’ album.

[@CesarGameBoy.]

I’ve always wondered if I was the one guy who was really attached to these “wrong/angsty” notes. I’ve just always loved the way it sounds you know? And I’m glad that I was not the only one.

[@jessewilliams8655]

Crazy he didn’t mention the pixies. I feel like they did this a lot

[@lydiai.3658]

Nirvana loved a good major III chord too

[@biggiecheese6425]

Pixies are mid

[@jessewilliams8655]

@@biggiecheese6425 your mom is mid goober

[@jandro8408]

Every sad Green Day song have that.

[@MooseyFate100]

Weezer does this sometimes and it’s always great

[@strawbbtarte]

I’ve been trying for years to describe what draws me to certain music, but it always ends up falling flat because I always end up saying something like, “you know.. the chords just kinda go like ‘that’ and like ‘that’ and it sounds good, y’kknow??”. Thank you for putting this into words!!!

[@spinneyavant]

Soft kill does that pretty well

[@xredgambit]

I love music but never put too much into the theory behind it. Seeing your hold my hand just blew my mind. It clicked something in my brain about music. Thank you.

[@Bat_Rag]

The C to E7 in Space oddity is one of my favourite note changes, as well as 'that chord' in Breathe by Pink Floyd

[@bobixx6965]

I feel like I know the exact chord you’re talking about

[@mightyrobiinn3441]

Oh my god someone finally explained it. I play ukulele, and I believe it’s the Ab chord that has that “quirky” downfall, and gives a nostalgic or melancholy feel. I could never describe why I loved songs with this kind of chord borrowing, and now I can! (Edit: after I wrote this, it also made me think of Kikuo’s music. He uses this kind of chord progression a lot)

[@arcine3976]

I think it’s the flat 6 note your describing. Are you often playing in c major on ukelele cuz that would explain the feel of the Ab in that context. Adam Neely even calls the flat 6 note the “nostalgia note”. If you put it in your scale you get a minor 4 and a major 3 chord which are both angsty in the context of Major. Basically major chords that should be minor sound even happier or more uplifting/ brighter than normal major chords. Sorry for the rant lol

[@lunickiwrites7256]

This is a great breakdown. Thank you!

[@Jydmd]

The first time this clicked for me was when I heard Again from Janet Jackson on the radio. At one point the song goes from a C to an E and I was like "damn this sounds like an anime song". Never actually found the proper name of that chord change, I'm happy I stumbled onto your video!

[@EricodeRissa]

I hope u find it someday ;)

[@hijay8501]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX6UiIalq8ihaqs that part in Janet Jacksons song reminded me of the song Centemiter by the Peggies. It's also an anime opening. Was this the opening u were talking about?

[@Jydmd]

@@hijay8501 Hahaha that's exactly the one I was thinking about! Same progression, but D to F# instead of C to E.

[@hijay8501]

@@Jydmd hahahaha yup

[@jpsnsn7548]

The thing that bothers me about Again is you cant use an E minor chord it sounds terrible whereas in the song I want to hold your hand you can substitute a B minor.

[@rinsy1212]

This video reminds me "why some music feel like Christmas" or something and apparently there's some elements behind it as well. Great job! Love the video!

[@GD_Zimmeh]

I’ve heard this technique used so many times in music I’ve listened to throughout the years but never knew exactly what to call it, I’m glad this video shed some light on it and taught me a thing or two about it. Makes me appreciate it more whenever it’s used.

[@murdahorse]

I've played/made music most of my life and only recently am I starting to get into theory a bit more, this was a cool video, thanks for explaining clearly

[@Fresoda]

Here comes a BIG list for people who are interested. It is filled with songs that give me similar feels as space Odyssey, Steven universe and creep ( which are 3 songs i fucking adore ). Hope y'all find something you like. That's life - Frank Sinatra My way - Frank Sinatra This love - Maroon 5 Welcome to the black parade - my mechanical romance Sweet emotion - The kooks Trouble - Cage the Elephant Inexplicable - The correspondents Iron - Woodkid Dansbandstechno - dunderpatrullen Fool - Fitz and the tantrums Ghost - Telehope Rocketman (feat. Atlas & Lando) - AL-X The great, Atlas, Lando! It's not like I like you - static-p Sincerely, me - Mike faist, Ben Platt, Will Roland Corner Store - Macklemore You owe me - The Chainsmokers Death of a bachelor - Panic at the disco The other side of paradise - Glass animals Goldmine - The Jokes Summerland - Half•Alive Still feel. - Half•Alive ( very good band ) Many song from AJR: Come hang out 100 bad days Karma Bad Friend - Orange Rex County Love me less - Max, Quinn XCII Kanashii Ureshii - Frederic Just the two of us - Grover Washington I'll put two songs from I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME because of their long ass name: Nobody likes the opening band Lights go down - 10 years - Dadi Freyr In the stone - Earth wind and fire Strange things - Randy Newman Time Adventure - Adventure time Everything thing stays - Adventure Time Monster - Adventure time I'm just your problem - Adventure Time All gummed up - Adventure time Change - Steven universe Toss a coin to the Witcher - Sonya Belousova Wake me up when September ends- Green day ...phew that should be most of them I hope you find something you like!

[@Squonka]

This is great! I’ll check out as many of these as i can because i finally found a comprehensive list of songs like thos

[@IBobI]

Ah rocketman! That's why this felt so familiar

[@Miss.Elaineous]

Ah, yes. The ever popular My Mechanical Romance.

[@TwighlightLugia]

"Tusk and Bone" by Shaman's Harvest is another good one, it makes me Feel Things and I'm pretty sure it also applies to this trick

[@chrisgarrett6305]

Those adventure time songs are great especially everything stays

[@Rome.Monroe]

The major III in major keys always makes me feel like a storm is coming. In Hallelujah they even called it the “secret chord”.

[@SofiaPreCure]

Most Steven Universe songs make me feel sad, and nostalgic tbh

[@ladykatie8204]

It’s such a vibe and I love it

[@kasiaitomekfotografia5621]

Great lesson! You can really explain this stuff and make it easy to understand! Thank you a lot!

[@disco_depression]

Steven Universe's op has always reminded me of Marina's Primadonna. I don't know if it's relevant to this video or if the song uses the same technique but it has the same "videogame space paradise" vibes

[@abandonedchannel]

actually I never thought of that 😨 I can hear it

[@dogestranding5047]

Super Mario Galaxy

[@SkylightCiel]

Videos like this make me realize HOW LITTLE I know about music theory

[@aronpetty8358]

Very well put together video I enjoyed this very much thank you!

[@Smurphy006]

you are an amazing teacher; thank you for sharing your gifts with the world.

[@PelleKuipers]

Again I'm in awe at your way of describing the things I love about music so much. I rarely write in one key but I never think about it. This video gave me some new tools to try out on purpose.

[@fluffycritter]

Ages ago I did a Steven Universe/Creep mashup cover I called "Creeple Gems," because of the almost-identical chord progressions between them. Even the very first time I saw the show pilot it was pretty clear to me, and it's always wonderful when other people discover this or have it pointed out to them as well.

[@Psylviamariee]

I learned so much in 5 mins, u did such a good job explaining this thank you!

[@MrSickNoodle]

I'm glad I finally know what this is called. I've been mixing parallel and relative minor keys into my music for a while. I noticed Trent Reznor would throw in noted from like C major into C minor, and I always thought it sounded really interesting, so I started doing it. I'm glad it know the theory behind it now. Great video!

[@realcujoh]

i need a playlist full of this type of songs😩👍🏻

[@riverrr6254]

Same

[@solanated]

someone make one 😔😔

[@johnlowney8870]

It already exists kzbin.info/www/bejne/moLaZapvjMyLmbM

[@burger322]

I'm being hunted by the IRS for 16 counts of tax envasion😜

[@johnlowney8870]

@@burger322 same but for drug and human trafficking

[@lordofthemound3890]

Otis Redding’s “Dock of the Bay” (G to B) springs to mind. Otis usually wrote on a guitar tuned to Open E, so his songs often eschewed minor chords.

[@ScenesFromPalacio]

Steve Cropper put Otis's poem to music on this one

[@jonathanbgejensen1956]

Otis did not write that song

[@fabiogasperini5868]

I had to go look it up. Amazing tune. G, B, C, A.

[@ScenesFromPalacio]

@@jonathanbgejensen1956 Oh yes he did..With Steve Cropper en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(Sittin%27_On)_The_Dock_of_the_Bay

[@ScenesFromPalacio]

@@fabiogasperini5868 Yeh it is...Such a beautiful vocal performance too...Used to busk this one & i couldn't get close at all

[@_Alex_F]

First time watching one of your videos, I really enjoy it. You have a new subscriber ✌

[@jojojojojojojo-vh6my]

I really, really love this chord. These three songs are literally some of my favorites ever

[@aerithg7417]

dude loooks sick

[@carolaleidulvstad1349]

he looks like he slept 50 minutes instead of 8 hours

[@corrinflakes9659]

“Angsty up and depressingly down” I always feel the growing hope in the hopeless feeling from this chord, but with a heaping pile of coziness. But is it weird to say even in examples where it is meant to be more hopeless like Space Oddity I don’t feel the hopelessness as strongly? Maybe it’s because I technically listened to “We Are The Crystal Gems” more than Space Oddity in my life because like with anime OP’s, I don’t skip intros. Especially since Steven Universe had an intro change during Season 2’s halfway point. (Although they didn’t really pull a “Koichi updates DIU OP 1 with Echoes” whenever a Gem got a new design)

[@jyotsnasrivastava6373]

One of the recent yet popular examples of this is Dos Oruguitas by Lin Manuel Miranda from Encanto. It keeps on switching between F major and F minor. And, for a very good reason. Because the protagonist is going through a sad moment followed by a hopeful moment back and forth. Now I know what it is exactly. I was really impressed when I went into the chords of this song and didn't knew this is still music theory. Edit: I just rechecked to realise that dos Oruguitas has same chords as shown in thumbnail in some places: C E F Fm

[@TheMooseFish]

Homie looks like he hasn't slept in 5 years

[@CraftingCole]

Exaclty

[@LMregn]

Thats so rude

[@esMusicalus]

The first to use this chord (well probably not the first, but ultimately who probably influenced all these people using it today) was Sergei Rachmaninoff. The iiø7 chord used to create a sense of yearning/nostalgia is all over his 2nd Piano Concerto

[@alexanderh9569]

Yep especially the 2nd movement

[@2VeeOrNot2Vee]

the fact that creep and the steven universe theme have the same cord progression is so mind boggling but i hear it perfectly

[@jillmarieweingarten3048]

Brilliant...thank you.🎤🎶❤❤❤

[@everydaystruggle4253]

Dude, you’re a beast! Thank you for the educational video!

[@snookz13]

All my life, I’d wondered why I loved that chord so much. It’s why I loved the Steven universe theme so much. This makes SO MUCH SENSE!!

[@FrankieAmadeian.]

I've been paying attention to the composition of those kinds of songs, the Steven Universe theme song, and pretty much all dreamy lo-fi hip hop songs, and I noticed most of them really squeeze all the juice from the 7th from the harmonic minor to give that hopeful melancholic feeling, I guess I'm gonna call it? But I never could figure out how to integrate it into anything. This really helps. Thanks a lot, dude.

[@rolandmarckwort]

Thanks Ryan, great tutorial!

[@shizzle602]

Does anyone else get goosebumps listening to this. Not because they are super astounding or amazing songs. But something makes it feel special.

[@TheActualDP]

I like how you mangled "I wanna hold your hand" slightly to avoid getting copystriked

[@shayla4007]

oh my gosh, you just totally identified a quality in certain songs that i have loved but been unable to pinpoint my entire life, thank you so much!!

[@ruththompson665]

Thank you, finally found someone who can explain this so simply and clearly

[@crazyeelboy]

Excellent video and explanation of the theory concept

[@MegaMegaMiner100]

I find the reference to Japanese music quite interesting. I’ve always found The Pillows (the only J-group I listen to) to have a sound quite reminiscent of Oasis and Radiohead. Their song “One Life” uses nearly the exact chords and rhythm as Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger.”

[@Seantendo]

the pillows are amazing. Little Busters is one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@MegaMegaMiner100]

@@Seantendo Agreed. Both Little Busters & Thank You My Twilight are nearly perfect albums.

[@firstlast2264]

Love the pillows

[@Leslieandreawilliams]

Thank you so much for mentioning the pillows :)

[@sameture561]

Finally! I've e always wanted to know if this was a thing cause everytime i hear chords switch like this it just gives me an amazing feeling that I can't explain.

[@thatguyalex2835]

Sam here. I made a slow ballad song in the summer of 2020 on my piano, and it goes Dm F Dm C, twice. Then Dm Bb Csus4 C. Then back to Dm F Dm C, twice. Then Bb, G dim and finally F. That diminished chord gives chills down my spine.

[@rumblingrose49]

As a SU and music theory nerd, I saw the thumbnail and knew and exactly what this was about. Great topic, great video! Just subscribed!

[@williamthazard]

super interesting! I’m definitely gonna give this a try. Thanks for the info 😊

[@JoseRobledo]

I'm not sure how, but I feel "About a Girl" by Nirvana has some elements of this, as I'm seeing many of the chords shown in this video being part of the song.

[@LevinsThe]

I think Kurt jumped into another tonality in chorus. The song starts in Em and out of the blue C# G# F#. But it's very common for Nirvana because (I think) he doesn't knew or cared much about music theory:)

[@markmiles3447]

I tried a harmonic analysis of this song and as Os says it’s a jump into the most distant tonality from the G to the C# minor which is a tritone (or a b5). It then goes off again (maybe to the key of A) then back into G or Em in that Beatles sounding bit. Awesome tunage.

[@SoggyBacco]

@@LevinsThe kurt took guitar lessons for about a month when he was a kid so my guess is he had a basic understanding of what theory was but didn't know or care enough to apply it in his writing. if you take a look at his pre-nirvana home recordings its all experimenting with different sounds

[@nolanmaher4588]

The verse isn’t really in Em though. There are no thirds in any of the E chords played in that song (I think just as a result of Kurt’s fingering but that’s another story). If you try playing an Em chord or a straight E chord as the first in the progression neither sounds right, though the E major is closer. It’s a funky tonality that makes the song great. It’s almost more like the verse is in an in between of E major and minor, and the chorus jumps to C#, which would be the relative minor of the verse if it was more clearly defined, but then the C# is major anyway (again, bc I don’t think Kurt really understood major vs minor chords). The back half of the chorus shifts to chords that would be at home in Em, but it gives the whole song a sort of longing feeling of going back and forth between the major and minor with E as the center. Somewhat similar to how Beethoven’s 5th does, except with A as the anchor.

[@LevinsThe]

@@nolanmaher4588 I think the chord progression in the chorus is identical to Stepping stone (Monkees)