At the beginning of the 2nd season of the series “The Boys” the theme “Pressure” by the great singer-songwriter and pianist “Billy Joel” is used. Work that very well conveys the tension our characters are going through at this point in the series. And this is due to the great harmonic-rhythmic work added to the great emotional charge of the vocal performance.
It is worth mentioning that there are several ways to use a popular song, it can be used as it was recorded, a version can be made or it can be edited to our needs.
The introduction of the work highlights a lot the use of diminished chords, which are very unstable chords, they need to be resolved, hence their use generates a lot of tension. Being in key of D minor we have:
| Dm - E ° / D | C # 7 / D - Dm | B ° / D - Gm / D | A7 / D - Dm |
| Dm - E ° / D | C # 7 / D - Dm | B ° / D - Gm / D | C # 7 / D - D |
As can be seen, we find many diminished chords, and some that instead of resolving go to another diminished chord (E ° - C # 7), therefore a lot of harmonic stress, more to contain this harmonic tension and bring us to tonality, use a single bass in D (pedal note). Closing the cycle with a D major chord, which warns us that the work is going to change the atmosphere in the stanzas:
| G | % | D | C / D D | x2
By moving to a major key, a light is given to the musical discourse. however it becomes a preparation for the return of the minor key. In the verses it occurs only when you use the C / D chord, but even so, the impact is quite forceful at that moment due to the abrupt change of mode and the vocal interpretation. In order to do so, in the next section, return to the minor key:
| Gm | C - A7 (b9) / C # | Dm | Dm - Am / C |
| Bb | F / A | G7 | Em7 (b5) - A7 / C # |
| Dm - Am / C | Bb | F / A | Em7 (b5) - A7 / C # |
Since this section is a great arrangement in a minor key (especially the inversions of the chords to give a fluid movement to the bass), the work uses another element to increase the tension and in this case the rhythm sensation is redoubled (Double time feel), I could explain this effect to you like this, if I am in 4/4, I play the bass drum and snare each white (Half time feel), and then insert them each quarter note.
One last detail in this regard is that the work is abruptly cut off when there is a dialogue that could complicate the character’s plans, but after that moment it is resumed with the introduction of the song. Another is to match the 3rd beat of the measure when he says “Pressure” with the passing of a jet. It is also used at the end of this chapter and during the 2nd episode of the second season.
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Social Media Author: Pablo Bobadilla Rider
