Hack the music theory behind The Chainsmokers’ favourite chord progression, which they used in both “Closer” and “Something Just Like This”.
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1:30 – Hack the Key
4:41 – White Note Hack
6:27 – Hack the Chords
10:14 – Hack the Songwriting
10:23 – Watch "Chords (song 1)" for more on common notes
12:23 – Areas for Improvement
27:08 – Ray's Version #1 (simple)
31:00 – Ray's Version #2 (advanced)
33:30 – Hack "Something Just Like This"
37:44 – Conclusion
When The Chainsmokers' brand new Coldplay collaboration "Something Just Like This" came out two weeks ago, did you notice that it sounds just like their smash hit from last year, "Closer"? Well, that's because they use the exact same chord progression and the exact same harmonic rhythm (i.e. when the chords change), in both these songs.
Right, without further ado, here's their secret formula:
♭VImaj(add9) → ♭VIImaj → Im7 → ♭VIImaj
They're in the key of F minor (and not A♭ major, as Wikipedia is incorrectly informing the world!), so therefore the actual chords they're using are: D♭maj(add9) → E♭maj → Fm7 → E♭maj.
Why is this chord progression so popular? There's a few reasons for this. First, it starts on a maj(add9) chord, which is always instantly lovable, as major is happy and adding the 9 (i.e. 2nd note) makes the chord sound super dreamy. Second, you hear two happy major chords before the first minor arrives, and people like feeling happy. Third, the one common note on top of every chord makes the changes flow and keeps every chord sounding familiar, but therefore predictable. Fourth, it slowly climbs up to the root chord Fm7, so by the time the root finally arrives, it feels rather satisfying, but predictable. Fifth, the last chord is actually the second chord repeated, which makes this chord progression even more predictable.
Do you see a pattern forming? This, my revolutionary music-making friends, is always the downfall of hits. For a song to become a hit, it needs to be predictable, but people get really really sick of hearing a predictable song after a few months. The insanely short shelf-life of hits is the sacrifice these hit factories make when they're chasing hits. Is that sacrifice worth it to you? The fact that you're here watching a music theory video tells me that you want more, you want to learn the language of music so you can make artistic songs that will not expire after a few months. I salute you for that! And on that note, watch the video above to find out how this chord progression can be improved in order to extend its longevity into the decades, then use this approach for your own music, and it will be both popular and long-lasting.
ABOUT
Hack Music Theory is the pioneering notation-free method for making great music. Taught by award-winning music lecturer Ray Harmony, and his protégé (and wife) Kate Harmony, from their studio in Vancouver BC, Canada. Ray is the author of critically-acclaimed book series "Hack Music Theory", and has made music with Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Ihsahn (Emperor), Kool Keith (Ultramagnetic MCs), Madchild (Swollen Members), and many more. Kate has the highest grade distinction in Popular Music Theory from the London College of Music, and is the only person on the planet who's been trained by Ray to teach his Hack Music Theory method! While these Hack Music Theory YouTube lessons teach music theory for producers and DAW users, they are designed to accommodate all music makers (songwriters, guitarists, etc.) and all genres, from Electronic Music to R&B, Pop to Hip-Hop, Reggae to Rock, EDM/Dance to Metal (and yes, we djefinitely Djent!).
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