The Beatles – All You Need Is Love – Verse
All You Need Is Love < 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
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– 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)
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Chord Progression:
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I – V – vi – I – V – vi – ii* – I – V – V – V7* – V6* – V
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(* 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”.
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– 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)
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Chord Progression:
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v – IV – v – IV – iv* – v – IV – IV – IV7 – IV6 – IV
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(* 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.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – All You Need Is Love – Verse?
[‘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’]
