The theme song of HBO’s “Succession” is instantly recognizable, a powerful and brooding piece that sets the stage for the high-stakes drama within the Roy family. While seemingly simple, its genius lies in its underlying musical structure, a cyclical chord progression that perfectly mirrors the show’s core themes. Let’s delve into the musicality of this iconic theme and explore how its chords embody the relentless cycle of ambition and power struggles in “Succession.”
The foundation of the theme is a i – VI – ii – V progression in C minor. This progression, while classic in its simplicity, is imbued with a unique character in the context of “Succession.” Each chord within this sequence can be interpreted as representing a distinct phase in the characters’ manipulative and power-hungry endeavors:
C Minor: The Seed of Discontent
The progression begins with C Minor. This is not just the tonal center of the piece, but also the emotional starting point. C minor embodies the pervasive sense of unease and dissatisfaction that permeates the lives of the Roy family. It’s the musical representation of their inherent unhappiness, the void that fuels their relentless pursuit of more power and control. Minor chords, in general, often evoke feelings of sadness, tension, or melancholy. In “Succession,” C minor becomes the sonic signature of the family’s internal conflicts, their simmering resentments, and the deep-seated unhappiness that money and power fail to alleviate. This chord establishes the fundamental mood – a world of privilege shadowed by profound discontent.
Ab Major: The Glimmer of Scheming
Moving to Ab Major, the VI chord in the progression, we encounter a shift in mood. This major chord injects a momentary brightness, a deceptive sense of optimism into the otherwise somber theme. Ab Major can be seen as representing the planning phase, the moments when the characters believe they are on the cusp of achieving their goals. As the sixth degree of the minor scale, its major quality offers a fleeting sense of hope, mirroring the characters’ inflated confidence as they strategize and plot their next moves. They are in this phase brimming with self-assurance, convinced of their ability to outmaneuver each other and ascend to the top of the family hierarchy. This chord is the musical embodiment of ambition taking root and plans being hatched in the shadows.
Dm Half-Diminished (Dø/F): The Murky Execution
The progression then takes a darker turn with Dm Half-Diminished (Dø/F). This chord, a ii chord in the progression played in first inversion, signifies the execution phase of their schemes. The half-diminished quality is inherently unstable and ambiguous, perfectly capturing the precarious nature of their plans as they are put into action. It reflects the unforeseen obstacles, the unintended consequences, and the ever-present tension that arises when these Machiavellian machinations are set in motion. This chord embodies the messy reality of their ambition, the point where plans meet the chaotic friction of real-world interactions and betrayals. The uncertainty inherent in the half-diminished sound mirrors the unpredictable outcomes and the escalating risks involved in their power plays.
G Major: The Boiling Point
Finally, the progression arrives at G Major, the V chord, and the dominant in C minor. This chord represents the climax, the point where tensions reach their peak and the stakes are at their absolute highest. G Major is meant to create a sense of resolution, a musical drive towards the tonic (C minor). However, in “Succession,” this resolution is always temporary. Just like the cyclical nature of power struggles depicted in the show, the G Major chord doesn’t resolve to a satisfying conclusion but instead pushes back to the beginning, back to C minor. This cyclical return mirrors the show’s narrative structure, where every power grab is ultimately fleeting, leading back to a state of perpetual unease and renewed ambition. The equilibrium achieved is always unstable, setting the stage for the cycle to begin anew.
This ingenious cyclical progression is not just a catchy tune; it’s a musical microcosm of “Succession” itself. It encapsulates the show’s themes of ambition, power, and the ultimately unsatisfying nature of the Roys’ relentless pursuit of control. The theme song, with its simple yet profound chord changes, serves as a constant reminder of the cyclical nature of their struggles, a never-ending loop of scheming and power plays that defines the world of “Succession.”
