"Undressed" - Musical Analysis 1
"Undressed" by Sombr - Musical Analysis 1
Sombr has been one of my new favorite artists to listen to! He always gets me out of my head, and I feel that I can connect with his music. I also enjoy that all his songs have a deeper meaning behind them, and his instrumentation is impressive. The song "Undressed" was released on March 21, 2025, and was written by Sombr and co-produced by Tony Berg. The lead singer of Sombr, Shane Michael Boose, writes most of the songs the band releases. The band Sombr started in New York City, although they are now located in Los Angeles, California.
Lyrics
The Lyrics of "Undressed"by Sombr connects to me personally when I lost relationships with friends and family. I connect with how people can hurt you and completely move on, while you're stuck feeling lost and empty. This song makes me look back on my past friendships and understand that it's okay to feel hurt and lost after losing someone close to you. This song blew up on social media after it came out, I see why because the lyrics are deep and meaningful while still very catchy. Though I am not on many social media, I heard it on the radio and instantly fell in love with the song. I feel that I connected to it right away!
Chords
Sombr uses the chord progression of Am - G - F - C throughout the verse and chorus. Though he changes his chord progression throughout the pre-chorus to F - G - Am - C and F - G - A - G. "Undressed" follows in the Key of C Major. Most pop songs use the Key of C Major, which I find very interesting. I see why, it's very catchy and makes the song feel lighter. I think I personally love the Chords of the song because while the lyrics are sad and heartfelt, the chords give the song a lighter feel, with the depth of his sadness still there. I love it when songs use the key of C Major; it makes the song feel complete at the end. I enjoy how the song keeps the chord progression simple throughout, but uses a few different instruments, including keyboard, bass, guitar, and drums, to add more to the song, with the deep lyrics still hitting you throughout. I really enjoy how the bass is in the background of the song; to me, it gives it a grounding presence.
Melody
Sombr uses a pentatonic scale of (G - A - C - D - E) throughout the melody of the song. Which gives the song a heartfelt feeling to me. I love how he switches the chords a bit throughout the melody and adds keyboard in the background, which gives the song more depth. Throughout the entire melody, the bass is in the background playing the same three notes, catching your attention, making sure you understand that the song is not a light song and has sadness and hurt behind it.
Timbre
This song is about a relationship ending, while one persons moves on and the other one suffers from feeling lost and hurt after it ended. I connect with this. After graduating from high school, I lost a few relationships I truly cherished, and it broke me. I did not understand why it happened, and this song helped me understand that it's okay to feel hurt and not move on right away. I love how the singer Shane has raw, powerful vocals that truly show the emotional distress that caused him to write this song. While the vocals were not supported fully, it created a dynamic that shines light specifically on the vocals throughout the entire song.
Controversy and Praise
While "Undressed" has not encountered much Controversy, instead it has gotten praised by many for how deep and raw the emotions are throughout the entire song. They highlight how the song has retro feelings to it, they specifically refer to The Beach Boys band to compare it to. While some critics have said that he adds too much reverb to his voice, or his instrumentals are purely background and only focuses on his voice. This song ended up number one on the Billboard Hot Rock and Alternative Songs Chart.
Conclusion
Overall, "Undressed" is a song that I love, it's constantly played, and I have learned on all the musical instruments I play, my favorite piano, because I can hear the voice of the song come out when I play. My favorite thing about music is that everyone can connect through music, even without knowing each other. While this song may be sad, it connects your own feelings to it and makes you feel seen. I love this song, and I am so blessed that I have gotten to share it with you all!
Sources
“Undressed by Sombr Chords, Melody, and Music Theory Analysis - Hooktheory.” Hooktheory.com, 2025, https://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/sombr/undressed. Accessed 24 Sept. 2025.
Wikipedia Contributors. “Undressed (Sombr Song).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Sept. 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undressed_(Sombr_song)
-Gabby Sincraugh
Wow, this was such a thoughtful analysis. I really like how you connected the technical aspects, like the chord progressions, key, and melody, to the personal meaning you find in the song. It is interesting how the lyrics are heavy and emotional, but the C Major key gives it a lighter feel, almost like hope mixed with sadness. I also thought your point about the bass being grounding was really insightful. I did not notice that at first, but now it makes sense. It is cool that you play it on piano too; I can imagine how well the emotion carries through when you play it yourself. Thanks for sharing this. It makes me want to listen to "Undressed" again with a new perspective.
ReplyDeleteA very relatable analysis of this song! I used to listen to Sombr all the time, but haven't in recent years. I did not realize this was a popular song until you mentioned it in your piece, then it clicked for me. I had heard it a few times on social media. I love your thoughts on the song. I also believe it is really relatable and, though covering a heavy subject, has a light, flowing beat. I think when the Chorus comes along and he is harmonized with, I am going to assume by his own voice, it enhances the depth of the music, and without it, the music just wouldn't be the same. Though controversial, without the harmony amplifying his voice, the longing effect that transferred from his lyrics to his voice would vanish. I love the effect. I look forward to reading more of your analysis.
ReplyDeleteI love chord progression too, it's very catchy. I love that background keyboard, as you said adds lots of depth to the song which is always nice. That's cool you learned how to play the song on a bunch of instruments, do you perhaps sing it while playing the piano. The lyrics and chord progression being opposite emotions is very insightful, interesting how a lot of music today adopts a happy instrumental sound but the lyrics are depressing.
ReplyDeleteI think you could talk about the drum kit more in any way shape or form. Maybe about its rhythm, or how its rhythm is kind of lines up with the bass sometimes. I think theres also some auxiliary percussion in the background, really adds to that depth of the song. I haven't heard on of his songs before thanks for sharing!