Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“All My Loving” by The Beatles is written in the key of D Major. It’s pop and rock style includes elements of British Invasion and Merseybeat. It shows a common chord progression modified with additional chords and modulation.

The song constantly oscillates around C#m, which is the presumed root key. Harmonically, the 8-bar verse progression involves the frequent use of borrowed chords, as well as secondary dominants, which are frequently used in the Beatles’ compositions, to provide a colorful and subtle tension.

“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay is a pop song that sits primarily in the key of G major, featuring four common chords: C Major, D Major, G Major, and E minor. The song’s simplicity lies in the consistent use of these chords, which creates a consistent harmony throughout the song.

“Honky Tonk Women” by The Rolling Stones is a classic rock song heavily influenced by country and blues. The song is characterized by both major and minor chords, primarily G, C, A, and D. The song is in the key of G major from the verse 1 progression you provided, and it has elements of both I-IV-V and I-V-vi-IV.

Verse 1

“The Rip” by Portishead is a classic example of the Trip-hop genre. It features simple, yet effective harmonic progressions that offer a melancholic tone which is widely utilized in this genre. The distinctiveness of this particular chord progression lies on its subtle shifting between minor and major tonalities, as well as its use of borrowed chords.

Verse 1

The Beatles – All My Loving – Verse 1

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

[‘Em’, ‘A7’, ‘D’, ‘Bm’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘A7’, ‘Em’, ‘A7’, ‘D’, ‘Bm’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘D’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Below is the chord progression analysis with full chord names and their associated roman numerals. Note that the chord names may appear differently based on the musical context but conform to the key of D Major:

“`
Em (ii), A7 (V7/ii), D (I), Bm (vi), G (IV), Em (ii), C (VII/bIII), A7 (V7/ii),
Em (ii), A7 (V7/ii), D (I), Bm (vi), G (IV), A (V), D (I).
“`

Note the ‘C’ appearing as a borrowed chord from the parallel minor (D minor), as D Major does not traditionally include a C Major chord. Such use of borrowed chords adds extra flavor to the song’s harmonic texture.

Similar Chord Progressions

One song that comes to mind with a similar progression is “Stolen Moments” by Oliver Nelson. The ii-V-I sequence, the borrowed chord, and the jazzy elements align closely with the progressions used in “All My Loving”.

Here is the chord progression of “Stolen Moments” in D Major:

“`
Dm7 (ii), G7 (V7/ii), Cmaj7 (I), A7b9 (vi7b9), Dm7(ii), G7 (V7/ii), Cmaj7(I), A7b9 (vi7b9).
“`

This progression also uses the ii-V-I sequence, a common borrowed chord (A7b9), and includes jazz influence through the 7th and extended chords.

Musical Analysis

This song immediately shows its depth with its chord sequences. The ii-V-I sequence beginning with Em-A7-D is a classic jazz progression and gives a strong sense of resolution. The inclusion of Bm introduces a sensitive tonality, while the G chord grounds the progression back in the predominant D Major key.

The use of the C chord as a borrowed chord adds a surprise element to the progression. Borrowed chords, typically from the parallel minor, add depth and unexpected color to the harmonic landscape. These techniques show the Beatles’ mastery in integrating sophisticated harmony in their accessible pop tunes.

Overall Analysis

“All My Loving” by the Beatles is a great example of their early ’60s pop style. This song’s verse chord progression is in the key of D Major with a mix of minor chords and 7th chords that add to the emotional intensity of the song. The composition blends pop simplicity with complex harmony, encapsulating the Beatles’ innovative songwriting.

Style Analysis

“All My Loving” captures the early Beatles’ style, with its catchy melody and harmony. The chord progression with its jazzy ii-V-I sequence and unexpected borrowed chord expresses a sense of longing and wistfulness that matches the lyrics beautifully.

The Beatles’ style often included such surprises, combining popular music structures with more sophisticated harmonic ideas from jazz and classical music, such as borrowed chords and modal interchange. This fusion created a unique sound that was easy to digest yet rich in content.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of All My Loving by The Beatles are:

[‘Em’, ‘A7’, ‘D’, ‘Bm’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘A7’, ‘Em’, ‘A7’, ‘D’, ‘Bm’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘D’]