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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“In My Life” is a song by The Beatles from the 1965 album Rubber Soul. It is written in the key of A Major, beloved for its introspective lyrics and harmonic structure. The chord progression is complex and contains several borrowed chords and secondary dominants, displaying an impressive use of tonality that is characteristic of the band’s sophisticated songwriting.

“Hey Jude,” by The Beatles, is an iconic song. The chord progression is in the key of D major and it follows a sort of Variation on I-V-IV-I progression of many pop and rock songs. However, what makes this song extremely unique is its out-of-the-box structure and the experimental use of borrowed cords – it shows The Beatles’ fondness for combining elements of pop, rock and classical music and results in an emotional, powerful progression that resonates strongly with listeners.

“Kiss” by Prince is a classic example showcasing Prince’s unique and complex songwriting abilities. The song is written in the key of A major. The distinctive funk rock style is primarily expressed via dominant and suspended chords. This combined with Prince’s rhythmically tight and syncopated guitar playing gives the song its infectious groove.

The verse 2 chord progression from Muse’s “New Born” reflects their signature harmonic daring and interesting relationships, which provides this piece with a fresh and captivating sound. The progression features a blend of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, as well as key shifts and chromaticism. It utilizes major-minor modal interchange and emphasizes the Em – B relationship throughout.

The given chord progression is from the verse of Pink Floyd’s “Breathe,” a song from their 1973 album, “The Dark Side of the Moon.” The progression consists of alternating Em and A7 chords throughout the entire verse. This creates a sense of movement and tension between the chords while also being relatively simple and repetitive. The harmonic back-and-forth between these two chords gives the song a dreamy and immersive quality that is a signature sound of Pink Floyd’s style.

The Beatles – In My Life – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

[‘A’, ‘E’, ‘F#m’, ‘A7/G’, ‘D’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘A’, ‘E’, ‘F#m’, ‘A7/G’, ‘D’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here are the full chord names and their analysis in Roman numerals:

“`python
“A Major (‘I’)”, “E Major (‘V’)”, “F# Minor (‘vi’)”, “A7/G (V7/IV with a 3rd inversion)”, “D Major (‘IV’)”, “D Minor (‘iv’)”, “A Major (‘I’)”,
“A Major (‘I’)”, “E Major (‘V’)”, “F# Minor (‘vi’)”, “A7/G (V7/IV with a 3rd inversion)”, “D Major (‘IV’)”, “D Minor (‘iv’)”, “A Major (‘I’)”
“`

In this progression, “D Minor (‘iv’)” is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (A minor).

Similar Chord Progressions

Similar chord progressions can be found in many other popular songs, especially those from the same era. Some examples include “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & the Papas, “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys, and “Everybody’s Changing” by Keane. Here are the progressions:

“California Dreamin’”:

“`python
“C Major (‘I’)”, “Bb Major (borrowed ‘♭VII’)”, “F Major (‘IV’)”, “C Major (‘I’)”
“`

“God Only Knows”:

“`python
“E Major (‘I’)”, “B/F# (‘V/vi with 1st inversion’)”, “F# Minor (‘vi’)”, “D#m7/F# (ii7/vi with 1st inversion)”, “F# Major (‘V’)”, “B Major (‘V/vi’)”, “E Major (‘I’)”
“`

“Everybody’s Changing”:

“`python
“D Major (‘I’)”, “Bm (‘vi’)”, “G Major (‘IV’)”, “A Major (‘V’)”
“`
In each of these cases, the artist uses a slightly different technique to achieve a similar sense of depth and complexity in their progression.

Musical Analysis

The progression starts in A Major, which gives the song a bright and joyful feeling. The progression then moves to E Major, the V chord, which is a very common movement that sets up a feeling of tension and anticipation.

The progression then delves into some more complex harmonic territory by moving to the vi chord, F# Minor, followed by an unusual A7/G, which is the dominant 7th chord of the IV (D Major) with a third inversion incorporated.

The song then moves to the IV chord, D Major, and then quickly switches to D minor, a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key, which creates an unexpected and poignant shift in tonality. Finally, the progression moves back to the I chord, A Major, rounding off the phrase and bringing a sense of resolution.

Overall Analysis

“In My Life” is a song written by The Beatles which stands as a hallmarks of their inventive songwriting and command of complex musical structures. The song is primarily in the key of A Major, but it employs a number of borrowed chords and modal interchange to create a more interesting and richer harmonic landscape. The melody, rhythm, and lyrics of this song are poignant and memorable, making “In My Life” an enduring classic in the Beatles’ catalog.

Style Analysis

The Beatles were known for their adventurous and experimental approach to songwriting, and “In My Life” is no exception. The use of the borrowed chord (D minor) from the parallel minor key is a typical Beatles’ touch, as well as the third inversion in A7/G chord, evidencing their comfort with more complex harmonic structures.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of In My Life by The Beatles are:

[‘A’, ‘E’, ‘F#m’, ‘A7/G’, ‘D’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘A’, ‘E’, ‘F#m’, ‘A7/G’, ‘D’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’]