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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Eight Days A Week” by The Beatles is in the key of D major. The song features a handful of basic major and minor chords with a sprinkling of interesting harmonic developments such as the E7 transition chord and the use of the B minor chord which provide a rich palette of colors for the progression.

“Hey Jude,” written by The Beatles, charts a classic journey from tonic to dominant, with a detour through the subdominant and the minor dominant. It starts with a D chord (I), moves onto A (V), then A7 (V7) and back to D (I). The interlude features the progression D (I) – D7 (I7) – A7 (V7). This clever progression creates a momentary modulation to the key of G with the D7 chord, creating an interesting harmonic shift.

The verse 2 chord progression in Tyler, The Creator’s “Earfquake” is a mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords. The progression mainly features chords from the Bb Major key, with the D7 acting as a secondary dominant chord (V7/III). The progression has a smooth, jazzy feel that is typical of Tyler’s signature style.

The piece “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars showcases a common pop ballad structure that follows a typical 4-chord progression with common tone substitution as well as some chords borrowed from the relative minor. Its simplicity is one of its strengths as it allows the focus to fall on Bruno’s vocals and the lyrics, which matches the direct, emotional content of the song effectively.

The verse 2 chord progression of Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place” demonstrates a combination of diatonic and non-diatonic chords with tonal ambiguity, frequent use of borrowed chords from parallel modes, and modulation. The progression has a cyclic, hypnotic quality with occasional surprises due to large leaps in pitch and unexpected, non-diatonic chords.

The Beatles – Eight Days A Week – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

[‘D’, ‘E7’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘E7’, ‘G’, ‘D’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here is a detailed chord progression analysis list and the identified borrowed chords:
1. D (I)
2. E7 (II7)
3. G (IV)
4. D (I)
5. D (I)
6. E7 (II7)
7. G (IV)
8. D (I)

“`A borrowed chord occurs in this progression is: E7 which is a II7, borrowed from the D Mixolydian mode.“`

Similar Chord Progressions

The Beatles influenced a raft of artists who have used similar chord progressions in their work. The Kinks’ song “Waterloo Sunset” employs a similar progression: [‘D’, ‘E7’, ‘G’, ‘D’]. The song “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers also bares a resemblance, with a partial chord progression of [‘D’, ‘E’, ‘G’, ‘D’]. Remember that the reinterpretation of chord progressions in different compositions is a common practice in music.

Musical Analysis

The verse 2 chord progression creates a pleasing seesaw effect, toggling back and forth between familiar tonal centers. The E7 chord introduces an interesting touch as it functions as a secondary dominant (V/V), momentarily shifting our hearing towards the key of A. However, instead of resolving to A, it moves to G, a deceptive resolution that adds an unexpected twist. The E7 is also borrowed from the Mixolydian mode, blending in a bluesy element to the major tonality, whilst the D and G chords firmly anchor the song in the D major key.

Overall Analysis

“Eight Days A Week” by The Beatles, released in 1965, is renowned for its catchy melodic phrases, tight harmonies, and distinctive use of chords. The song is firmly rooted in the key of D major, but there is an interesting use of borrowed chords.

Verse 2

Style Analysis

Despite the straightforward melodies and harmonies, “Eight Days A Week” is a perfect example of the Beatles’ innovative approach to songwriting that pushed the boundaries of pop music. It uses an unusual blend of major/minor tonalities and modal interchange, something not commonly seen in music at the time. Reminiscent of the folk and country music from which they drew inspiration, the song transcends traditional stylistic boundaries, falling somewhere between pop, rock, and folk.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Eight Days A Week by The Beatles are:

[‘D’, ‘E7’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘E7’, ‘G’, ‘D’]