The Beatles – Cant Buy Me Love – Verse 4
Cant Buy Me Love < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘C7’, ‘F7’, ‘C’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Given the progression is ‘C7’, ‘F7’, ‘C’, and the key being C Major:
C7 – C Dominant Seventh (‘V7/IV’)
F7 – F Dominant Seventh (‘IV7’)
C – C Major (‘I’)
Note that C7 in the Key of C (Imaj7) would usually be a Major 7th, so the Dominant 7th (V7/IV) is borrowed from the key of F.
“`Chord progression: ‘C Dominant Seventh (V7/IV)’, ‘F Dominant Seventh (IV7)’, ‘C Major (I)’. Borrowed chord: ‘C Dominant Seventh (V7/IV)’“`
Similar Chord Progressions
1. “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles also uses the V7/IV in the transition from D7 to G. Chord progression: ‘D Dominant Seventh (V7/IV)’, ‘G Major (I)’.
2. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd uses a similar dominant 7th sequence. Chord progression: ‘D Major (I)’, ‘C Dominant Seventh (V7/IV)’, ‘G Major (IV)’.
3. “Learn to Fly” by Foo Fighters uses a similar technique, though transposed to a different key. Chord progression: ‘B Major (I)’, ‘A Dominant Seventh (V7/IV)’, ‘E Major (IV)’.
Note: The borrowed dominant-seventh is often utilized to ‘prepare’ the listener for the IV chord, which then typically resolves back to I, creating a cycle of tension and resolution that is pleasing to our ears.
Musical Analysis
This progression, generally known as a plagal cadence, characterized by a IV to I progression, but with 7th chords, is common in many types of music, especially pop, due to its natural tension and resolution. The inclusion of the dominant 7ths adds a smooth, bluesy quality that is typical of The Beatles’ early style. C7 ‘prepares’ the listener for an incoming F in baroque terms, whereas F7 “prepares” for the home key C. As a result, the C7 is borrowed from the F Major scale.
Overall Analysis
“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.
Style Analysis
The Beatles, particularly in their early career, were well-known for their combination of multiple genres, including rock, pop, and blues. The progression seen here is no exception. C7 to F7 in particular adds slightly bluesy flavor. Their introduction of borrowed chords and 7th harmonies were also a unique innovation that contributes to their characteristic sound.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – Cant Buy Me Love – Verse 4?
[‘C7’, ‘F7’, ‘C’]
