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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a psychedelic rock song often regarded as one of their finest works. It’s innovative from both a melodic and harmonic perspective, using complex chord structures, chromatic touches, and key changes. The song is primarily in the key of E major.

“Can’t Buy Me Love,” a song by The Beatles, exhibits a style that’s emblematic of their earlier work, with a clear, upbeat tonality and an elegant yet straightforward chord progression. The tune is predominantly centred in the key of C major, but it utilizes both major and dominant 7th chords to create tension and resolution, modulating away from the home key. The particular progression you’ve given, ‘C7’, ‘F7’, ‘C’, isn’t rare and demonstrates the Beatles’ precision and understanding of pop and rock music’s creative possibilities.

The chord progression of the Verse 3 in the song “California Kids” by Weezer features a blend of diatonic and chromatic chords in the key of C major, exhibiting a classic pop-rock feel with some variations in the chord structure. The progression also showcases the use of chromatic bass motion to add harmonic interest.

“Viva la Vida” by Coldplay is predominantly in the key of G Major, and the main chord progression is a four-chord loop: C, D, G, Em, which repeats throughout the song. The chord progression creates a highly emotional, triumphant atmosphere which reflects the lyrics and overall theme of the song. The use of the B minor chord, the flattened third, later in the song adds some depth and complexity to the harmonic structure and provides a relief from the repetition of the main progression.

Prince’s “Purple Rain” is a classic power ballad, rooted deeply in pop and rock genres. The chord progressions, with particular emphasis on the one given in Verse 3, underlines Prince’s lyricism and craft, showcasing his unique ability to blend seemingly simple chord progressions to evoke emotional and profound moods. The key of the song is G major.

The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever – Verse 3

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Chord Progression

[‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘E7’, ‘F#m’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘A’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Below is the chord progression for Verse 3 with their Roman numerals:

“`
E (I),
Emaj7 (Imaj7),
E7 (I7),
F#m (IIIm),
E (I),
D (IV),
D (IV),
E (I),
A (V),
F#m (IIIm),
D (IV),
E (I),
D (IV),
A (V)
“`

Notice that the E7 is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (A minor), serving as a secondary dominant to the F#m that follows it.

Similar Chord Progressions

While it’s hard to find an exact match for this progression given its complexity, here are a few examples of similar progressions in their use of borrowed chords, major seventh chords and/or secondary dominants:

1. “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys:
“`
‘A’,
‘D ‘,
‘A/C’,
‘Bm’,
‘ G ‘,
‘A’,
‘D ‘,
‘A/C
‘,
‘Bm ‘,
‘Bm/A’
“`

“`
I,
IV,
I/III,
II,
VI,
I,
IV,
I/III,
II,
II/V
“`

2. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles:
“`
‘Am’,
‘Am7/G’,
‘Am6/F’,
‘Am’,
‘D’,
‘G’,
‘C’
“`

“`
Im,
Im7/VII,
Im6/VI,
Im,
IV,
VII,
III
“`

Each of these pieces also has a unique blend of chordal movement that showcases both the songwriters’ creativity and their deep understanding of music theory.

Musical Analysis

The progression starts with a tonic chord (I) followed by a maj7 (Imaj7), creating a dreamy sound that immediately provides an interesting start and draws listeners in. It then hovers around the tonic key, interspersed with an unexpected move to the IV, before returning to the tonic and resolving in the V. This pre-dominant (IV) to dominant (V) to tonic (I) progression is a classic move in Western music, giving a sense of closure.

Overall Analysis

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a significant example of their high level of technical composition skills. This track, which is played in the key of A Major, incorporates variations in the conventional chord progressions by using borrowed chords and shifting harmonic and melodic structures, showcasing their profound understanding of music theory and ability to use those ideas creatively.

Style Analysis

The Beatles were masterful at blending several different musical styles together, and this song is no exception. This chord progression, with its mix of basic triads, seventh chords, and borrowed chords, is indicative of their experimental and genre-defying nature. Their use of borrowed chords is a trait of modal interchange, an aspect of jazz harmony.

Chords in the Verse 3 section of Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles are:

[‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘E7’, ‘F#m’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘A’]