The Beatles – Because – Verse 3
Because < All Analyses
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
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“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’)
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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.
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“A minor” (‘i’),
“D7” (‘IV7’),
“G Major” (‘VII’),
“D Major” (‘IV’),
“C# dim” (‘ii°’),
“F# minor” (‘vi’),
“E Major” (‘V’),
“E7” (‘V7’)
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2. “Tonight, Tonight” by The Smashing Pumpkins also makes use of borrowed chords and unusual shifts from major to minor.
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“D Major” (‘I’),
“G Major” (‘IV’),
“F# minor” (‘iii’),
“B minor” (‘vi’),
“E Major” (‘II’),
“G Major” (‘IV’),
“D Major” (‘I’),
“A Major” (‘V’)
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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.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – Because – Verse 3?
[‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘D#m7b5’, ‘G#7/D#’, ‘A’, ‘C#m’, ‘A9’, ‘A13’, ‘D’, ‘Ddim7’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’]
