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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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“Girl” is a song by The Beatles from their 1965 album “Rubber Soul”. The song is written in the key of E minor and it showcases the band’s ability to incorporate non-diatsubject resorting to non-diatonic progressions and utilizes various seventh chords to establish a more sophisticated and jazzy soundid progression. It’s important to note their use of the Dorian mode, which adds to the melodic and harmonic sophistication of the song. Moreover, the song exhibits the lyrical and songwriting depth of The Beatles.

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The overall analysis of “With A Little Help From My Friends” indicates usage of the classic Pop/Rock chord style that The Beatles were known for. This style often features I-IV-V (1-4-5) progressions and the usage of minor chords to create emotive contrasts. “With A Little Help From My Friends” uses this to great effect, even incorporating borrowed chords from parallel scales for enhanced emotion and “singability.”

The given chord progression is from the song “Every Day Is Exactly The Same” by Nine Inch Nails. The overall structure of the song consists of verses, choruses, and a bridge, each with distinct chord progressions that contribute to the song’s moody, melancholic atmosphere. The song is mostly in the key of E minor, with some borrowed chords from the parallel major key.

“Dont Let Me Down” by The Beatles is a song that’s heavily grounded in the key of E Major, with some interesting use of borrowed chords for a richer, more emotional harmonic texture. The song is a fine example of The Beatles’ songwriting style, which often involves mixing diatonic chords with chromatic passing chords, borrowed chords, and secondary dominants.

“Riptide” by Vance Joy is in the key of C major. The chord progression is a repeated sequence of Am, G, C and Fmaj7, with the Fmaj7 being a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, C minor. Given that the majority of the song follows this pattern, it’s simple yet effective, providing a catchy and persistent structure to the song.

The Beatles – Girl – Bridge

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Chord Progression

[‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘G’]

Chord Progression Analysis

`’Em’ (iii), ‘B’ (VI), ‘Em’ (iii), ‘B’ (VI), ‘Em’ (iii), ‘B’ (VI), ‘Em’ (iii), ‘G’ (V)`

Here’s the analysis of the bridge:

Em is the iii chord in the key of B minor.
B is the VI chord in B minor, borrowed from B major through modal interchange.
G is the V chord in B minor, borrowed again from B major – this is a common chord to borrow as it can lead back to the tonic nicely.

Similar Chord Progressions

A similar piece with borrowed chords can be found in the Beatles’ own song, “Yesterday”. The chord progression in “Yesterday” is similar in that it has a key shift borrowing chords from its parallel major key. The progression in “Yesterday” is often written as `’F’ (I), ‘Em7’ (vii), ‘A7’ (III), ‘Dm’ (vi)`.

Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” also employs a similar technique, where the chord of Bb acts as the borrowed chord from the parallel major in the midst of what is primarily an F song. This progression typically looks like `’F’ (I), ‘G’ (II), ‘Ab’ (IIIb), ‘Bb’ (IV)`.

Musical Analysis

The bridge in “Girl” consists of a iii-VI-iii-VI progression followed by a iii-V progression. This progression involves the heavy use of the minor iii chord, which creates a deeply melancholic mood compared to other minor chords, which can convey a more dramatic or intense emotional tone. The back-and-forth music efficiently balances the melancholic iii chord with the lighter and more optimistic major VI chord. The Beatles often utilize this balance between major and minor throughout their music. In addition, interval jumps from iii to VI and then to V also make the bridge sound interesting and less predictable.

Overall Analysis

“Girl” by The Beatles is a classic example of their use of chromatic harmony and modal interchange. The chord progression shows complexity in both its chord choices and structure, a distinguishing feature in much of their music. By closely examining this piece, we can better understand The Beatles’ harmonic technique where they blend the techniques of classical music (like chromaticism and harmonic diversity) with pop songwriting.

Style Analysis

The Beatles frequently used chromaticism and borrowed chords in their music, and “Girl” is no exception. The VI and V chords are borrowed from the parallel major key, a technique characteristic of modal interchange. This harmonic language is common to both pop and classical music, and The Beatles mastered this technique. The sharp key changes and juxtaposition of major and minor chords help to create the tension and resolution that make their music meaningful and appealing.

Chords in the Bridge section of Girl by The Beatles are:

[‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘Em’, ‘G’]