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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.

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.”

“Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones is performed in the key of G major. However, the initial chord progression beginning on B minor gives it a modal feel, specifically borrowing chords from G Lydian mode (IV of D Major). It’s an interesting mixture of folky rock with a touch of the blues, and the chord progression is largely based around the typical I-IV-V progression found in many rock songs, but with many deviations and additions.

Key: G Major

“Goodbye Blue Sky” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album “The Wall.” It is a progressive rock piece with acoustic guitar and vocal harmony that creates a haunting and atmospheric sound. The chord progression in Verse 2 demonstrates the use of non-diatonic chords, pedal tones, and borrowed chords, giving it a sense of tension and release. This unique combination of chords contributes to the overall distinctive mood of the song.

“Your Song” is characterized by a varied and complex chord progression that helps to emphasize the emotional complexity of the lyrics. This is apparent in the progression used in Verse 2, which employs several techniques used frequently by Elton John. These include the use of secondary dominants, borrowed chords, modal mixture, and chromatic bass movements to add emotional color and reinforce the feeling of tension and resolution in the song’s narrative.

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’]