A Harmonic Reflection of Modern American Sentiment: The Greek Modes of the Major Scale as Mirrors of Public Mood (2016-Present)

by Michael Kelman Portney

Using the seven Greek modes of the major scale to understand recent American history reveals how public sentiment has evolved from 2016 to the present. Each mode brings unique tonal qualities, setting emotional moods that range from hopeful to melancholic, tense, or uncertain. Through these modes, we can see reflections of the American public’s mood over recent years. Each mode mirrors shifts in the national psyche, giving us a sonic map of American sentiment from 2016 to the present. As public mood transitioned through periods of hope, resilience, tension, introspection, and uncertainty, the modes offer a way to musically interpret these changes, framing our understanding of a complex and evolving social landscape.

Understanding the Greek Modes

The Greek modes—Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian—are scales derived from the Western music tradition, each with a unique sequence of whole and half steps that creates a specific emotional quality. Musicians use these modes to convey distinct moods:

• Ionian: Bright and stable, associated with harmony and optimism.

• Dorian: Melancholy but hopeful, expressing resilience.

• Phrygian: Dark and tense, often reflecting rebellion or mystery.

• Lydian: Ethereal and expansive, symbolizing idealism and creativity.

• Mixolydian: Bluesy and grounded, evoking freedom and individuality.

• Aeolian: Somber and introspective, reflecting acceptance and reflection.

• Locrian: Unstable and dissonant, symbolizing chaos and anxiety.

Through these modes, music can echo the emotional currents of society. Here, each mode will represent a phase in American sentiment, illustrating how public mood changed as society responded to challenges and shifts in leadership, policy, and culture.

1. Aeolian – Trump’s Election and a Mood of Disillusionment and Reflection (2016-2017)

• Characteristics: Aeolian, the natural minor scale, is introspective and somber, representing themes of loss, realism, and resilience.

• Common Uses: Aeolian appears in folk, alternative, and classical music, conveying introspection, melancholy, and grounded acceptance.

• Examples of Aeolian Songs:

• “Mad World” by Tears for Fears (or the Gary Jules cover) – a song that reflects societal disillusionment.

• “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails – deeply introspective, conveying inner struggle.

• “Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel – a reflective tune about societal disconnection.

Public Mood Reflection: Trump’s election marked a period of national division and disillusionment. For many, it was a moment that shattered assumptions about the political landscape, exposing deep divides in American society. Aeolian’s minor, reflective quality captures this mood of introspection and concern, where people grappled with shifting values and felt a collective need to reflect on the state of the country. The Aeolian mode’s dark yet resilient tone underscores the search for meaning amidst an unsettled landscape.

2. Dorian – Resilience and Activism During Trump’s Presidency (2017-2020)

• Characteristics: Dorian is a minor mode with a raised sixth, creating a tone that’s somber but with a hint of hope, symbolizing resilience.

• Common Uses: Dorian is often found in folk, blues, and rock, expressing persistence and adaptability.

• Examples of Dorian Songs:

• “Scarborough Fair” (traditional, Simon & Garfunkel version) – a reflective yet hopeful melody.

• “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles – a contemplative reflection on loneliness and resilience.

• “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” by Pink Floyd – a wistful yet hopeful tribute to a lost friend, capturing struggle with hints of hope.

Public Mood Reflection: During Trump’s presidency, a sense of resilience took hold as many Americans mobilized around key social issues. Movements like the Women’s March and Black Lives Matter gained momentum, symbolizing a determination to fight for change and adapt. Dorian’s mix of melancholy with strength reflects this time of persistence. While Americans dealt with political challenges and societal strain, there was a quiet optimism and drive to improve the nation. Dorian captures this complex balance, embodying both struggle and hope.

3. Phrygian – Heightened Tension and Division Leading to the 2020 Election (2019-2020)

• Characteristics: Phrygian is a dark, intense mode with a flattened second, giving it a tone of tension, mystery, and rebellion.

• Common Uses: Phrygian is used in metal, alternative, and progressive rock, often evoking conflict, resistance, and unease.

• Examples of Phrygian Songs:

• “Wherever I May Roam” by Metallica – a song of defiance and tension.

• “Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones – a haunting, intense track about the darker sides of human nature.

• “Misirlou” (traditional, Dick Dale version) – intense, exotic, and rebellious, conveying an unsettled feeling.

Public Mood Reflection: As the 2020 election approached, tensions escalated. Social and political issues polarized the public, and protests became widespread. Phrygian’s dark intensity mirrors this period’s charged atmosphere, where the public grappled with uncertainty, fear, and defiance. This mode captures the rebellious energy and resistance that defined the pre-election period, reflecting the nation’s conflicted state and the fervent desire for change. Like Phrygian, the mood was tense, filled with a sense of unease and urgency.

4. Ionian – Biden’s Election and the Initial Return to Stability and Hope (Late 2020-Early 2021)

• Characteristics: Ionian, the standard major scale, is bright, balanced, and optimistic, symbolizing harmony and hope.

• Common Uses: Ionian appears widely in pop, folk, and rock music, bringing a feeling of joy, optimism, and unity.

• Examples of Ionian Songs:

• “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles – a hopeful and uplifting song.

• “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong – a serene, joyous tune.

• “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac – a song of hope for the future.

Public Mood Reflection: Biden’s election brought a moment of collective hope, where many Americans felt a sense of optimism and stability return to the national landscape. The Ionian mode’s brightness and balance capture this feeling of relief and the initial belief that unity and progress were possible. After years of tension and division, this period marked a brief return to hope, as people embraced the possibility of a renewed and healing national identity. Ionian’s major tone reflects the public’s desire to rebuild and move forward together.

5. Mixolydian – Celebrating Diversity and Embracing New Perspectives (2021)

• Characteristics: Mixolydian is a major scale with a flattened seventh, adding a bluesy feel. It conveys freedom, individuality, and a touch of rebellion.

• Common Uses: Mixolydian is popular in rock, blues, and folk, expressing individuality and celebration of diversity.

• Examples of Mixolydian Songs:

• “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd – embodies regional pride and freedom.

• “Norwegian Wood” by The Beatles – introspective and free-spirited.

• “Fire on the Mountain” by Grateful Dead – captures a laid-back, reflective vibe.

Public Mood Reflection: Following Biden’s election, Americans embraced the nation’s cultural diversity and celebrated self-expression and individuality. Mixolydian’s vibrant sound reflects this mood of exploration, where new perspectives and identities were not only accepted but valued. This era was marked by discussions on social justice and the redefinition of what it meant to be American, capturing the spirit of inclusivity and individualism that Mixolydian embodies. The public mood celebrated the freedom to express and honor unique identities, giving a fresh, bright quality to the national consciousness.

6. Aeolian – National Reflection Amidst Pandemic Challenges and Economic Uncertainty (2021-2022)

• Characteristics: Returning to Aeolian introduces a somber, introspective tone, representing acceptance, resilience, and realism.

• Common Uses: Aeolian appears in folk, alternative rock, and classical music, conveying themes of reflection, endurance, and realism.

• Examples of Aeolian Songs:

• “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica – introspective and contemplative.

• “Fix You” by Coldplay – somber, yet with an element of hope.

• “Creep” by Radiohead – a raw, introspective track on self-acceptance and struggle.

Public Mood Reflection: The optimism that followed Biden’s election began to fade as challenges continued. The ongoing pandemic, economic uncertainties, and lingering social divides shifted the mood back toward caution. Aeolian’s melancholic, reflective tone captures this period of collective contemplation, where Americans found themselves facing deep-seated issues without easy solutions. Aeolian reflects a nation that, despite initial optimism, was again bracing itself for the long journey toward recovery, marked by patience and resilience.

7. Locrian – Anxiety and Instability in an Uncertain World (2022-Present)

• Characteristics: Locrian, the most unstable mode, is dissonant and unresolved, symbolizing chaos, fear, and uncertainty.

• Common Uses: Locrian appears rarely in popular music, mainly in experimental, metal, and jazz to evoke instability and tension.

• Examples of Locrian Songs:

• “Army of Me” by Björk – assertive, uneasy, and confrontational.

• “Tension” by Tool – embodies unresolved conflict.

• “Beyond the Realms of Death” by Judas Priest – powerful, chaotic, and full of tension.

Public Mood Reflection: As economic challenges, political divides, and environmental crises loom, anxiety has become a defining feature of American life. The Locrian mode’s dissonant quality mirrors this pervasive instability, capturing the public’s sense of uncertainty and unease. Today’s public mood reflects unresolved challenges and a search for security in an unpredictable world. Locrian symbolizes the chaos that marks this era, embodying the desire for stability amid societal shifts and collective anxieties.

Conclusion: A Harmonic Map of American Sentiment

Each Greek mode captures a different period in American public sentiment, from the introspective Aeolian mood of Trump’s election, through the hopeful Ionian tone of Biden’s victory, to today’s Locrian anxiety. By mapping these modes to significant events, we gain a deeper understanding of how American society responds to change and upheaval.

This musical lens reveals the emotional currents that shape the American experience, from optimism and resilience to tension, reflection, and uncertainty. Just as the modes harmonize and conflict within a piece of music, the shifts in American sentiment reflect a larger journey through collective resilience, division, hope, and adaptation.