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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Can’t Buy Me Love,” a song by The Beatles, exhibits a style that’s emblematic of their earlier work, with a clear, upbeat tonality and an elegant yet straightforward chord progression. The tune is predominantly centred in the key of C major, but it utilizes both major and dominant 7th chords to create tension and resolution, modulating away from the home key. The particular progression you’ve given, ‘C7’, ‘F7’, ‘C’, isn’t rare and demonstrates the Beatles’ precision and understanding of pop and rock music’s creative possibilities.

“And I Love Her” by The Beatles is predominantly set within the key of F# minor. Apart from the chorus that momentarily modulates to the key of D minor, the verses embrace a darker, melancholic atmosphere portrayed by the minor keys. The tonal structure and chord progressions in the song are reflective of the band’s exploration of intricate harmonies, going beyond the simple three-chord structures of many contemporary pop songs of the time.

The song “The Outsider” by A Perfect Circle frequently uses the chord progression [‘B’, ‘B’, ‘A’, ‘E’] in the key of E major. When viewing the chords through the lens of E major we can identify the chord progression as ii, ii, V, I. Furthermore, It shows some interesting harmonic decisions throughout. Most notably, the band makes use of borrowed chords which are chords taken from the parallel minor (in this case E minor). Here, the borrowed chords include A major and C major.

“Take Me Home Country Roads” is written in G major. The song is characterized by a strong, consistent beat and a simple, memorable melody which are typical characteristics associated with country and folk music. The progression follows a predictable sequence, also typical of these genres, and contributes to the song’s classic, feel.

The chord progression in the verse of “When You Die” by MGMT can be analyzed as a blend of traditional diatonic harmony and chromaticism. The song is in the key of G major with elements of modal interchange and a brief modulation to the relative minor key, E minor. The progression features a mix of both major and minor chords and gives the piece a sense of melancholy and uncertainty.

The Beatles – Cant Buy Me Love – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘C7’, ‘F7’, ‘C’]

Chord Progression Analysis

`C7 (V7/IV) –> F7 (IV7) –> C (I)`

These chords fit perfectly into the structure of the commonly used I-IV-V progression in classical and modern Western music. Yet, the inclusion of a dominant 7th chord on the tonic is quite unique.

In a Major key, a dominant seventh chord (V7) often leads to a resolution on the tonic (I) chord. Here, ‘F7’ (rather than ‘F’) serves as the IV chord, and is preceded by a secondary dominant (V7 of IV), ‘C7’, which creates a strong pull towards ‘F7’.

`Borrowed Chord: F7 (from C minor)`

The use of ‘F7’ (IV7), particularly, is an example of borrowed chord, often found in Blues and other types of music that incorporate blue notes. This chord is borrowed from C minor (the parallel minor of C Major).

Similar Chord Progressions

An example of another song that uses a similar approach through incorporation of secondary dominants and blues-oriented dominant 7th chords is The Beatles’ own “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (`D (I) –> G (IV) –> D (I) –> E7 (V7/IV) –> A7 (V7/V) –> D (I)`).

Aside from The Beatles, artists like Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly used dominant 7th chords frequently. A song like “Johnny B. Goode” (`Bb (I) –> Eb7 (IV7) –> Bb (I)`) or Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be The Day” (`A (I) –> D7 (IV7) –> E7 (V7) –> A (I)`) also share certain similarities with “Can’t Buy Me Love”.

Musical Analysis

The Beatles often incorporate elements of blues and jazz into their music, and “Can’t Buy Me Love” is no exception. The use of dominant 7th chords in the progression, particularly the secondary dominant and the borrowed chord from the parallel minor, adds to the bluesy feel of this song while still conforming to pop song structure norms.

Overall Analysis

“Can’t Buy Me Love” is a song in C Major. The Beatles were renowned for their use of a variety of chord progressions, and this song certainly lives up to that reputation. Although the progression in the verse primarily consists of the chords ‘C7’, ‘F7’, and ‘C’, it’s the way they are harmonically linked that makes it really interesting.

Style Analysis

This track is a blend of rock and roll and pop, with high-energy, uptempo rhythm and catchy melodies. It’s light-hearted and upbeat in terms of style, and the use of distinct chord progressions like a secondary dominant leading to a borrowed chord add a layer of complexity setting The Beatles’ work apart from many contemporaries.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Cant Buy Me Love by The Beatles are:

[‘C7’, ‘F7’, ‘C’]