Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is in the key of A minor and quite uniquely, the song borrows chords from parallel major and minor keys, as well as from modes like mixolydian. It is one of George Harrison’s contributions to the Beatles and showcases sophisticated harmonic techniques and an intricate chordal design, reflecting deeply on the influence of Eastern music and philosophies on his songwriting.

“Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival is a classic rock song written in the key of C Major. It’s a brilliant representation of 60s and 70s folk-rock music with a chord sequence that is very recognizable, even to this day.

##

The chord progression for the verse of “Kids” by MGMT is a simple and diatonic progression in the key of A major, following the vi-IV-I-V pattern. It is common in pop music and creates a sense of tension and release throughout the progression. The chords are played using predominantly major and minor triads, with an inversion in the V chord (E/G#).

The progression starts on the suspended II chord of the key, which anticipates resolution either to the tonic (E major) or the supertonic (F# minor). However, it instead moves to the dominant minor (C# minor), suggesting a borrowed chord from the parallel minor (E minor). The D major chord which concludes the progression is a borrowed II from E minor as well.

The Beatles – All You Need Is Love – Verse

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

[‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘D6’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘D6’, ‘D’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
– G Major (I)
– D Major (V)
– E minor (vi)
– G Major (I)
– D Major (V)
– E minor (vi)
– A minor (ii from borrowed G Mixolydian scale)
– G Major (I)
– D Major (V)
– D Major (V)
– D7 (V7 from borrowed D Mixolydian scale)
– D6 (V6 from borrowed D Mixolydian scale)
– D Major (V)
“`

Chord Progression:
“`
I – V – vi – I – V – vi – ii* – I – V – V – V7* – V6* – V
“`
(* indicates borrowed chords)

Similar Chord Progressions

“The Stones – Paint It Black” has a similar progression in the key of D minor. It borrows elements from the D Phrygian mode in a sense similar to how The Beatles employed the Mixolydian mode in “All You Need Is Love”.
“`
– E minor (v)
– D Major (IV)
– E minor (v)
– D Major (IV)
– A minor (iv from borrowed D Phrygian scale)
– E minor (v)
– D Major (IV)
– D Major (IV)
– D7 (IV7)
– D6 (IV6)
– D Major (IV)
“`

Chord Progression:
“`
v – IV – v – IV – iv* – v – IV – IV – IV7 – IV6 – IV
“`
(* indicates borrowed chords)

Musical Analysis

The progression opens and closes on the tonic chord (G major), establishing a clear sense of the home key. The movement from G to D (I-V) is a traditional cadence that drives the melody forward. The Am chord serves as a borrowed chord from the Mixolydian mode of G. The D7 and D6 chords are borrowed from the Mixolydian mode of D, providing a slight twist of character within the progression. The consistent inclusion of the V – I plagal cadence adds to the anthemic quality of the song.

Overall Analysis

“All You Need Is Love” is in the key of G major. The song primarily uses the chords within the key signature and has a relatively simple harmonic structure. However, the song does utilize a few distinct chord choices that contribute to its unique sonic character. The song applies modal interchange with an inclusion of A minor from the G Mixolydian mode and the D7 and D6 which evoke a hint of the D Mixolydian mode.

Style Analysis

The Beatles frequently played with Modal Interchange and borrowed chords in their songwriting, which is seen in this song. The Mixolydian mode, in particular, is a common choice for them, offering a major chapter sound with a flattened 7th degree for added bluesy feel. Furthermore, the reiteration of the same sequence enhances the song’s sing-along character at the heart of the Beatles public image.

Chords in the Verse section of All You Need Is Love by The Beatles are:

[‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘D6’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘D6’, ‘D’]