The Beatles – A Day In The Life – Interlude
A Day In The Life < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘E’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘D’]
Chord Progression Analysis
– C Major (‘I’)
– G Major (‘V’)
– D Major (‘II’)
– A Major (‘VI’)
– E Major (‘III’)
– C Major (‘I’)
– G Major (‘V’)
– D Major (‘II’)
– A Major (‘VI’)
– E Major (‘III’)
– D Major (‘II’)
– C Major (‘I’)
– D Major (‘II’)
This analysis is based on the presumption that C major is the key, as commonly assumed by therapists. However, given the modulation and the Beatles’ propensity for blurring the tonality, this can be open to interpretation.
`Note : This section exhibits modulation, meaning that the tonal centre changes rapidly through the progression. This is represented by the repeated shifting of the “I” chord.`
Similar Chord Progressions
1. “I Will Always Love You” – Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston:
– Db Major (‘I’)
– Ab Major (‘V’)
– Eb Major (‘II’)
– Bb Major (‘VI’)
– F Major (‘III’)
Despite being in a different key, the cyclical progression through the dominant seventh chords is a clear parallel to the structural function of the chords in “A Day in the Life”.
2. “Hey, Jude” – The Beatles:
– C Major (‘I’)
– G Major (‘V’)
– D Major (‘II’)
– A Major (‘VI’)
In this other Beatles song, we see a similar progression, which is also common in many other pop songs due to its pleasing cycle of perfect fifths.
`Note: The borrowed chords or chromatic mediant relationships commonly seen in Beatles’ songs are absent in the interlude of “A Day in the Life”.`
Musical Analysis
The melody and harmonies in this section follow closely with chord progression, with vocals and instrumental parts reinforcing the changes in tonality. The grand orchestral swell employs a technique called aleatoric crescendo, a key feature in “A Day in the Life”, creating an intense build-up before transitioning back to the tonal centre.
Overall Analysis
The song “A Day in the Life” by the Beatles is known for its unique and striking musical features. The chord progression in the interlude, in particular, represents an example of the Beatles’ innovative approach to harmonic structure and tonal movement. This section is essentially a sequence of dominant-seventh chords that each resolve to the note a fifth below, a common harmonic progression known as the circle of fifths. The interlude features a prominent orchestral crescendo and transition that are hallmarks of the Beatles’ experimental approach to the use of orchestral instruments in rock music.
Style Analysis
The Beatles were known for borrowing heavily from classical music and combining it with contemporary pop and rock traditions. This chord progression, with its cascade through the circle of fifths, has a Baroque feel to it. The tense build-up and resolution is quite Wagnerian, suggesting an influence from Romantic music. However, the Beatles make this classical progression their own by using modern pop instrumentation and vocal styles.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – A Day In The Life – Interlude?
[‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘E’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘D’]
