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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a song that displays the remarkable depth of harmonic creativity found in their songwriting. The chord progression in the Chorus 4 section of the song is particularly complex. This progressions illustrate the band’s ability to exploit common harmonic devices such as diatonic pivots, modal mixture, and deceptive resolutions, in order to produce beautifully unique and captivating chord sequences.

“A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles, despite seeming to have a simple structure, is quite unique in its musical composition. The progression varies from standard rock, pop, and folk structure by integrating unique transitions and slightly unconventional chord choices.

Verse

The chord progression in the chorus of “Breathe” by Pink Floyd is a non-diatonic progression, meaning it does not strictly follow a specific key. The progression features some borrowed chords and a dominant seventh alteration. The style is influenced by blues and jazz, with a relaxed and reflective mood.

Chorus 1

The song “Killer Queen” by Queen is primarily set in the key of F Major, while the Chorus 1 is in the key of G Major. The song’s harmonic voice leading and progressions reveal a sophisticated and nuanced approach that involves a continuous change of tonal center and utilization of secondary dominant and borrowed chords.

“Castles Made of Sand” is a song by Jimi Hendrix, found on his 1967 album “Axis: Bold as Love.” The song is in the key of G major and features a chord progression that is both simple and innovative in its use of borrowed chords and voice leading. The progression can be seen as an indirect approach to the IV chord (C) which gives the progression a sense of unresolved tension. The overall sound of the song is characterized by its dreamy, psychedelic atmosphere.

The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever – Chorus 1

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Chord Progression

[‘A’, ‘Em7’, ‘Em7’, ‘F#7’, ‘D’, ‘F#7’, ‘Dmaj7’, ‘A’]

Chord Progression Analysis

For Chorus 1, the chord progression is as follows:

“`
A(I),
Em7(vi7),
Em7(vi7),
F#7(VI7),
D(IV),
F#7(VI7),
Dmaj7(IVΔ7),
A(I)
“`

Notably, the F#7 is a chromatic non-diatonic chord. It serves as the secondary dominant leading to B minor; however, the progression unexpectedly goes to D, which creates an element of surprise. The Dmaj7 is a diatonic chord and is the major seventh of the IV chord.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “She’s Leaving Home” by The Beatles also uses modal interchange, major seventh chords, and non-diatonic resolutions, particularly in its verse progression:
“`
E(I),
Amaj7(IVΔ7),
E(I),
F#7(VI7),
B(II),
E(I)
“`

2. Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” has a similar harmonic complexity, incorporating repeated seventh chords among notably non-diatonic chords in its verse:
“`
A(I),
E/G#(V/vi),
F#m(VI),
D(VI/V),
E(V)
“`

3. “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys is another example of complex harmonies, major seventh chords, and non-diatonic resolutions used in a pop context:
“`
A(I),
Abmin/Db(bVIIm/IIb),
Bm/B(VI),
E7(V7),
F#m(VI),
Gmaj7(bVIIΔ7),
Amaj7(IΔ7),
Db7(IVb7),
D(V),
E(VI),
A(I)
“`

Remember, while these chord progressions have similarities they are not the same. The artists utilize different methods to create harmonic interest.

Musical Analysis

The Beatles’ use of modal interchange—borrowing chords from parallel keys or modes—significantly adds to the complexity and distinctiveness of “Strawberry Fields Forever”. The Em7 is diatonic to A major, but its repetition and role as pre-dominant weakens the tonal center a bit. The F#7, a secondary dominant that should resolve to B minor, instead resolves to the subdominant chord D, adding unexpected tension and surprise. The Dmaj7 leads to the tonic but with a different color because of the raised seventh.

Overall Analysis

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is an iconic psychedelic rock track marked with rich harmonies and sophisticated musical elements. The song is primarily constructed around the key of A, but it employs several modal mixtures and non-diatonic chords, contributing to its intriguing tonality.

Style Analysis

“Strawberry Fields Forever” is a compelling example of the Beatles’ innovative songwriting style during their psychedelic rock period, combining traditional song-form with more experimental harmonic structures. The song employs chromatism, modal interchange, and unexpected chord resolutions, which were uncommon in popular rock music during this era, demonstrating The Beatles’ evolution and challenging of popular music norms.

Chords in the Chorus 1 section of Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles are:

[‘A’, ‘Em7’, ‘Em7’, ‘F#7’, ‘D’, ‘F#7’, ‘Dmaj7’, ‘A’]