Modal Interchange (Creep)

I → III → IV → iv

Position
G chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for G: string 6: fret 3, string 5: fret 2, string 4: open, string 3: open, string 2: open, string 1: fret 3G
B chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for B: string 6: muted, string 5: fret 2, string 4: fret 4, string 3: fret 4, string 2: fret 4, string 1: fret 2×B
C chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for C: string 6: muted, string 5: fret 3, string 4: fret 2, string 3: open, string 2: fret 1, string 1: open×C
Cm chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for Cm: string 6: muted, string 5: fret 3, string 4: fret 5, string 3: fret 5, string 2: fret 4, string 1: fret 33×Cm
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About

Radiohead's iconic progression featuring modal interchange. The non-diatonic III (B major) shines unexpectedly, while the iv (Cm) is borrowed from the parallel minor, creating that signature bittersweet 'creep' feeling.

Songs using this progression

  • Creep — Radiohead
  • The Air That I Breathe — The Hollies
  • High and Dry — Radiohead
Alternative RockBritpopArt Rockmelancholicintrospectiveemotionalhaunting

Related progressions

Indie Rock (Do I Wanna Know)
i → VI → iv
Indie RockAlternative Rock
Shoegaze Dreamy (When the Sun Hits)
I → iii → IV → V
ShoegazeDream Pop