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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” features a verse in A minor with a brief but significant shift to F minor, due to the use of borrowed chords or modal mixture. Notably, it showcases The Beatles’ sophisticated approach to harmonization, utilizing unconventional chord progressions & modulations that are cyclical.

This is a rich verse chord progression where The Beatles use diatonic and borrowed chords to enrich the melody. This progression follows their signature style of pop music with strong melodious and harmonic elements.

Muse’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” is a rock interpretation of the classic 1967 pop song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli, which has been covered by various artists in different styles. The chord progression of the chorus is characterized by a series of diatonic chords, predominant in Western pop music. This progression follows a typical 1950’s “doowop” pattern present in countless pop and rock songs, utilizing the familiar circle of fourths movement (Dm-G-C) and establishing a straightforward harmonic rhythm.

Chord Progression Analysis with Roman Numerals (borrowed chords in code block):

D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major (I) – A minor (vi) – D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major (I) – A major (V/vi) – D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major (I) – A minor (vi) – D minor (iv) – G major (VII) – C major 7 (Imaj7) – C7 (I7) – C6 (I6) – C major (I) – Ab major (*bVI) – C major (I)

`* Ab major (bVI) is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (C minor).`

The chord progression in the chorus of “Lost Cause” by Beck showcases a simple yet effective pattern utilizing major chords and a dominant seventh chord, which creates tension and resolution throughout the progression. The song is in C major, and the chords predominantly follow the diatonic harmony of the key. The style is reminiscent of folk and alternative rock, with the harmony playing a significant role in evoking a sense of melancholy in the listener.

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‘Set Fire to the Rain’ is written in the key of D minor. The main course of progression uses the chords of Dm, B-flat Major, F Major and C Major. This is a 6-4-1-5 progression, which is very popular and is used in a lot of pop music.

What makes this progression interesting is that Adele uses the 2nd inversion of the A minor chord, Am/B, and G/A, which gives it a unique timbre. `Am/B` is the 2nd inversion of the `Am` chord and `G/A` is the 2nd inversion of the `G` chord.

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The Beatles – The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘C’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘G7’, ‘A’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘E7’, ‘C’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘G7’, ‘A’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘E7’]

Chord Progression Analysis

(For clarity, each chord below will follow the syntax: Full Chord name (‘Roman Numeral) .)

– C Major (‘I)
– G7 Major (‘V7)
– C Major (‘I)
– F minor (‘iv)
– C Major (‘I)
– F minor (‘iv)
– G7 Major (‘V7)
– A Major (‘VI)
– E7 Major (Secondary Dominant of ‘V in A Major)
– A Major (‘VI)
– D minor (‘ii)
– A Major (‘VI)
– D minor (‘ii)
– E7 Major (Secondary Dominant of ‘V in A Major)
– C Major (‘I)
– G7 Major (‘V7)
– C Major (‘I)
– F minor (‘iv)
– C Major (‘I)
– F minor (‘iv)
– G7 Major (‘V7)
– A Major (‘VI)
– E7 Major (Secondary Dominant of ‘V in A Major)
– A Major (‘VI)
– D minor (‘ii)
– A Major (‘VI)
– D minor (‘ii)
– E7 Major (Secondary Dominant of ‘V in A Major)

“`
Notable Borrowed Chords:

F minor (‘iv): Borrowed from C minor (Parallel Minor of C Major)
A Major (‘VI): Borrowed from C major’s Parallel Minor’s (C minor’s) Relative Major (Eb Major)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison uses the ‘I – ‘V (C Major – G7 Major) progression.

2. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles uses the ‘I – ‘iv progression (C Major – F minor).

For comparison:

– “My Sweet Lord”: G (‘I) – Em (‘vi) – G (‘I) – D7 (‘V7)
– “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”: Am (‘vi) – C (‘I) – G (‘V) – D (‘IV) – E (‘V/vi – Secondary Dominant)

Musical Analysis

The use of the F minor (‘iv) chord from the parallel minor creates a striking, “color” effect which certainly contributes to the unique musical character of this Beatles’ piece. Additionally, the repeated shifts between tonal centers with the use of secondary dominants contribute to an adventurous feel typical of many Beatles’ compositions.

Overall Analysis

This chorus from The Beatles’ “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill” is an example of clever use of common chord transitions with several shifts in tonality. The chord progression uses the tonic key of C Major and F minor, showing complex modulation derived from modal interchange and secondary dominant techniques.

Style Analysis

This complex composition style is in line with the progressive musical tendencies of The Beatles. They were known for their frequent use of modal interchange (borrowed chords), secondary dominants, and for their seamless tonal shifts which kept their music dynamically engaging.

Chords in the Chorus section of The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill by The Beatles are:

[‘C’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘G7’, ‘A’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘E7’, ‘C’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘G7’, ‘A’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘E7’]