The Beatles – Maxwells Silver Hammer – Coda
Maxwells Silver Hammer < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘D’, ‘F#/C#’, ‘Bm’, ‘D7/A’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’]
Chord Progression Analysis
– D Major (“I”)
– F#/C# (“II/V”)
– B minor (“vi”)
– D7/A (“V7/5”)
– G Major (“IV”)
– D Major (“I”)
– A Major (“V”)
– D Major (“I”)
“`Borrowed Chord: F#/C# (“II/V”)“`
Similar Chord Progressions
1. “Blue Moon” by Rogers and Hart also features the I – IV – V sequence quite prominently as a part of its structure. The chord progression is in the form of: C major (“I) – F Major (“IV”) – G7 (“V7”) – C major (“I”).
2. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King typically returns to the I chord following a IV chord in a similar fashion to Maxwell’s Silver Hammer. The progression is: A major (“I”) – F# minor (“vi”) – D Major (“IV”) – E Major (“V”).
3. “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers. Their chord progressions in the track are: C Major (“I”) – Am (“vi”) – F Major (“IV”) – G Major (“V”).
The uniqueness in “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” lies in its eclectic borrowed chord, which adds a distinct flavor to the song.
Musical Analysis
“Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” is a quirky, melodically infectious tune. The primary harmonic movement in the song demonstrates a common technique used in pop music – the I-IV-V progression (D, G, A). This repetition of simple, familiar sequences allows the melodic content to catch the listener’s attention. The insertion of the F#/C# borrowed chord right at the beginning of the coda makes this section stand out. Borrowed chords, as the term suggests, are “borrowed” from the parallel minor or major key. In this case, F# is not traditionally seen in chord progressions resolving to Bm (vi) in a D major context, making it the borrowed chord.
Overall Analysis
“Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” by The Beatles is a track that showcases the band’s fondness for creating complex and textured compositions by combining multiple melody lines with innovative chord sequences in a pop rock context. It features numerous musical styles, including pop, rock, and music hall, which reflects the band’s eclectic musical influences. The Coda of the song takes place in the key of D major.
Style Analysis
“Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” is noted for its playful, music hall feel. The Beatles were known for using various styles from different musical eras, and the music hall style was a throughline in many of their more whimsical tunes. This song features not only playful lyrics, but also an equally playful chord progression blending seamlessly from the verse to the bridge and into the coda.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – Maxwells Silver Hammer – Coda?
[‘D’, ‘F#/C#’, ‘Bm’, ‘D7/A’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘D’]
