The Beatles – A Day In The Life – Middle 8
A Day In The Life < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘E’, ‘Dsus2’, ‘E’, ‘B7sus4’, ‘E’, ‘B7sus4’, ‘E’, ‘Dsus2’, ‘E’, ‘B7sus4’, ‘E’, ‘B7sus4’]
Chord Progression Analysis
“`code
E Major (I)
Dsus2 (bVII)
E Major (I)
B7sus4 (V7sus4)
E Major (I)
B7sus4 (V7sus4)
E Major (I)
Dsus2 (bVII)
E Major (I)
B7sus4 (V7sus4)
E Major (I)
B7sus4 (V7sus4)
“`
In the Middle 8, the song employs a key change from G Major to E Major. The structure oscillates between the tonic E and V7sus4 (suspended dominant) B7sus4 giving an unresolved tension typical of “The Beatles”. The frequent use of Dsus2 as a borrowed chord from the parallel minor contributes to the melancholic, dream-like mood of the part.
Similar Chord Progressions
The song “Because” by The Beatles presents a similar progression. They use Emaj7, D#m7, G#m, C#m, F#sus4, B, and E in the verses, which shows an equally complex interaction of chords and further intensifies the dreamy and surreal mood.
“`code
E Major 7th (I Maj7)
D# Minor 7th (vii min7)
G# Minor (iii min)
C# Minor (vi min)
F#sus4 (II sus4)
B Major (V)
E Major (I)
“`
They were not alone to use such complex progression; Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” also employs a grand range of chords and key changes that contribute to a sense of beautiful chaos throughout the song.
Musical Analysis
The use of the borrowed chord from the parallel minor (Dsus2) in a major key song (E Major in this case) is a well-known device called modal interchange. The Beatles were masters of this technique, and their use of non-diatonic chords contributes significantly to their unique sound. The unresolved tension between E and B7sus4 also adds to the dreamy state of the middle 8.
Overall Analysis
“A Day In The Life” is a progressive rock song from the “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, released in 1967. The progression includes some well-known chords, along with more unusual chords and alterations that contribute to the unique sound of the song.
Style Analysis
The Beatles’ music style in “A Day In the Life” is known to be baroque pop, merging their pop/rock style with things common in baroque music like orchestras and harpsichords. Their unique use of rhythm, harmonies, and melodic structures differentiate them from their contemporaries, a fact emphasized by their adventurous chord choices and unconventional song sequence.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – A Day In The Life – Middle 8?
[‘E’, ‘Dsus2’, ‘E’, ‘B7sus4’, ‘E’, ‘B7sus4’, ‘E’, ‘Dsus2’, ‘E’, ‘B7sus4’, ‘E’, ‘B7sus4’]
