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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression of “Because” by The Beatles demonstrates the band’s profound exploration of harmony. The song starts in the key of C# minor, revolves around this key, and includes various modulations and tonicizations to explore chords beyond the key. It heavily employs secondary dominants and borrowed chords, particularly the diminished 7th chords, which is not uncommon in Beatles’s songs. The chord progression has a dreamy and fluid flow due to these harmonic explorations.

The overall analysis of “With A Little Help From My Friends” indicates usage of the classic Pop/Rock chord style that The Beatles were known for. This style often features I-IV-V (1-4-5) progressions and the usage of minor chords to create emotive contrasts. “With A Little Help From My Friends” uses this to great effect, even incorporating borrowed chords from parallel scales for enhanced emotion and “singability.”

“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin is a hard rock song that was released in 1969. The song features a famous guitar riff with a simple, blues-influenced chord progression. That guitar riff is based on the D and E chords and can be heard throughout the main part of the song. The verse consists of the same primary chords as the riff, with slight variations in the E chord during the iconic “You need cooling” vocal part. The overall harmonic structure of the song with its repeating chords D and E gives it a strong I-V dynamic while staying in the D Mixolydian mode. Additionally, the guitar riff borrows elements of other blues progressions, creating a distinguished sound.

“Eleanor Rigby” is known for its unusual and innovative use of the Aeolian mode, otherwise known as the natural minor scale, which is reflected in the chord progression Em – C. The song incorporates string arrangements and has a narrative, storytelling style. Unlike most pop and rock songs of the time, it does not contain drums or guitars. The chord utilization is simple with only two chords used throughout, Em and C, but it nevertheless creates a unique and haunting soundscape.

The chord progression of the given segment from Muse’s “Apocalypse Please” reflects the band’s signature blend of rock, electronic, and classical music. The progression is in the key of F# minor and features some chromaticism and modal mixture, which is quite common in their style of music. The harmonic rhythm is mostly consistent, and the chords utilized provide a strong sense of direction and resolution throughout the verse.

The Beatles – Because – Verse 3

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Chord Progression

[‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘D#m7b5’, ‘G#7/D#’, ‘A’, ‘C#m’, ‘A9’, ‘A13’, ‘D’, ‘Ddim7’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
“C# minor” (‘i’),
“C# minor” (‘i’),
“D# half-diminished 7” (‘ii°7’),
“G# Dominant 7th/D#” (‘V7/ii’),
“A Major” (‘VI’),
“C# minor” (‘i’),
“A9 Major” (‘VI9’),
“A13 Major” (‘VI13’),
“D Major” (‘bIII’),
“D diminished 7” (‘vii°7’),
“C# minor” (‘i’),
“C# minor” (‘i’)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Paranoid Android” by Radiohead, although it is much more complex, bears some similarities with the Beatles’ “Because”, especially with the usage of borrowed chords and oscillating between key centers.
“`
“A minor” (‘i’),
“D7” (‘IV7’),
“G Major” (‘VII’),
“D Major” (‘IV’),
“C# dim” (‘ii°’),
“F# minor” (‘vi’),
“E Major” (‘V’),
“E7” (‘V7’)
“`
2. “Tonight, Tonight” by The Smashing Pumpkins also makes use of borrowed chords and unusual shifts from major to minor.
“`
“D Major” (‘I’),
“G Major” (‘IV’),
“F# minor” (‘iii’),
“B minor” (‘vi’),
“E Major” (‘II’),
“G Major” (‘IV’),
“D Major” (‘I’),
“A Major” (‘V’)
“`
Both examples present unexpected and innovative harmonic progressions, an aspect they share with “Because”.

Musical Analysis

This progression incorporates an interesting mix of both borrowed chords and secondary dominants. The harmony begins straightforward with the tonic, a C# minor chord. Then, it moves to the D# half-diminished 7, a seventh chord built on the second degree of the minor scale. Following this, The progression effectively transitions into a new harmonic landscape using secondary dominant chords that resolve deceptively to A Major. A9 Major and A13 Major, are extensions of the A Major chord, and provide further harmonic interest.

In the progression, both “D Major” and “D diminished 7” are examples of borrowed chords. “D Major” is borrowed from the parallel major, and “D diminished 7” is the leading-tone diminished 7 of the key.

Overall Analysis

The song constantly oscillates around C#m, which is the presumed root key. Harmonically, the 8-bar verse progression involves the frequent use of borrowed chords, as well as secondary dominants, which are frequently used in the Beatles’ compositions, to provide a colorful and subtle tension.

Style Analysis

“Because” showcases the harmonic inventions typical of the Beatles. The song’s use of borrowed chords and secondary dominants equips it with a sense of sophistication beyond typical rock and pop songs. The constant tonal shifts create an air of mystery and unpredictability, a style note which became a key feature of the Beatles later works.

Chords in the Verse 3 section of Because by The Beatles are:

[‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘D#m7b5’, ‘G#7/D#’, ‘A’, ‘C#m’, ‘A9’, ‘A13’, ‘D’, ‘Ddim7’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’]