The Beatles – In My Life – Bridge 1
In My Life < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘B’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’]
Chord Progression Analysis
The chord progression of the bridge is as follows:
“`
F#m (‘vi’),
D (‘IV’),
G (‘bVII’) (Borrowed Chord – Mixolydian mode),
A (‘I’),
F#m (‘vi’),
B (‘II’),
Dm (‘iv’) (Borrowed Chord – Dorian mode),
A (‘I’)
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
1) “Creep” by “Radiohead” also uses a similar chord progression with borrowed chords:
“`
G (‘I’),
B (‘III’),
C (‘IV’),
Cm (‘iv’) (Borrowed Chord – Dorian mode)
“`
2) “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by “The Beatles” itself has a similar progression:
“`
Am (‘vi’),
A (‘VI’) (Borrowed Chord – Dorian mode),
C#m (‘iii’),
C (‘bIII’) (Borrowed Chord – Mixolydian mode)
“`
Musical Analysis
The bridge begins with two bars of F# minor, the relative minor of A Major, then modulates to the IV (D). This is then followed by a borrowed chord, G, from the Mixolydian mode of A Major. The sequence then returns to the tonic (A) and follows the same pattern with an altered second half. The B chord acts as a secondary dominant leading to E, which is surprising when it is followed by Dm, a borrowed chord from Dorian mode. This Dorian modal interchange adds a dramatic touch before resolving back to the tonic, A.
Overall Analysis
The song is in the key of A Major and it makes some interesting use of borrowed chords and modulations. The arrangement of the song is fairly typical rock/pop with a verse-chorus-bridge structure. The bridge utilizes a modulation to the relative minor key, F# minor.
Style Analysis
“The Beatles” often make use of modal interchange, or borrowed chords, for color and variety in their arrangements, and “In My Life” is no exception. These borrowed chords, combined with more traditional harmony and arranging techniques, help create the unique “Beatles” sound.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – In My Life – Bridge 1?
[‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘B’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’]
