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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is particularly interesting for its use of key changes and borrowed chords. It reflects both the catchy driving pop rock melody signature of early Beatles and the sophistication of harmonic innovation, which defines their later work.

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“Blackbird” by The Beatles is a song mostly in the key of G Major. It’s known for its interesting guitar work and unconventional chord progression. The song employs a mix of functional and non-functional harmony, striking a balance between traditional diatonic harmony and more experimental harmonic ideas. The chord progression also includes several chromatic or borrowed chords (Cm, Dbdim, D# (b5), C#dim, and Ebaug).

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“Time To Pretend” features a simple and repetitive chord progression in the key of D major. The chord progression in the verse is characterized by a repeated pattern of D – G – D – Dsus2. The style of the song can be described as psychedelic synth-pop, with its electronic synth sounds and dream-like atmosphere. MGMT’s music often features catchy melodies and harmonies, which can also be heard in this song.

“Goodbye Blue Sky” by Pink Floyd is a beautifully haunting piece with a chord progression that demonstrates their innovative use of borrowed chords and modulation to explore various tonal centers. The song is generally in the key of A minor.

“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails works within a minimalist musical framework, where a few shiftless chords and tension-filled pentatonic melodies define the song. It inculcates a dark atmospheric mood through its instrumentation and harmony. The repetitive and consistent use of the Cm7 chord creates a haunting, pulsating groove that add to the atmospheric layer of the song.

The Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘B7’]

Chord Progression Analysis

– G Major (I)
– D Major (V)
– E minor (vi)
– B Major (‘III borrowed from parallel minor’)
– G Major (I)
– D Major (V)
– E minor (vi)
– B7 Major (‘III7 borrowed from parallel minor’)

A code block for the borrowed chord:
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“B Major” and “B7 Major” are borrowed from the parallel minor (G minor) scale
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Similar Chord Progressions

Artists like The Beach Boys and Elton John have also used similar chord progressions. For example, in Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”:

– A Major (I)
– E Major (V)
– F# minor (vi)
– C# Major (‘III borrowed from parallel minor’)
– A Major (I)
– E Major (V)
– F# minor (vi)
– C#7 Major (‘III7 borrowed from parallel minor’)

In Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows”, the progression is:

– A Major (I)
– E Major (V)
– F# minor (vi)
– C# Major (‘III borrowed from parallel minor’)
– A Major (I)
– E Major (V)
– F# minor (vi)
– C#7 Major (‘III7 borrowed from parallel minor’)

Musical Analysis

Borrowed chords create an unexpected element in chord progressions and it’s one of the tools used by The Beatles for enhancing musical interest in their composition. The use of the B Major and B7 chords from the parallel minor scale adds a unique color to the harmony and increases the tension which is resolved when returning to the G Major. It also creates a seamless chromatic ascending bass line from E (in Em chord) to F# (in G chord) via F (in B major or B7).

Overall Analysis

“I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is an excellent example of their innovative approach to harmony and chord progression. This song, written in the key of G major, features a common I-V-vi-III progression in the verses. It notably uses borrowed ‘B’ major and ‘B7’ chords from the parallel minor scale.

Style Analysis

The use of major chords borrowed from the parallel minor scale is a key characteristic of The Beatles’ style and it’s evident in many of their songs. It gives a happy yet melancholic feel to the song. Another style hallmark in this song is the effective use of dominant 7th chords to create a sense of anticipation and resolve.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles are:

[‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘B’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘B7’]