The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby – Verse 1
Eleanor Rigby < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘Em’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘Em’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here is the chord progression for Verse 1 with the full chord names.
Em (i), C (VI), C (VI), Em (i), Em (i), C (VI), Em (i)
Similar Chord Progressions
1. Radiohead’s song “Creep.” Although not the same, it follows a resonating pattern of switching between a minor chord (in this case G minor) and a major chord (B major).
G (I), B (III), C (IV), Cm (iv)
2. Johnny Cash’s “Hurt”. This song follows a similar pattern of oscillating between A minor and F major.
Am (i), C (III), D (IV), G (VII)
3. Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness” also follows a vaguely similar progression in B minor.
Bm (i), G (VI), D (III), A (VII)
The above examples demonstrate a similar treatment of minor-major chord oscillation in their progressions.
Musical Analysis
The song’s melancholic tonality is rooted in its E minor centricity and the cyclical pattern of moving between E minor and C major. The E minor chord works as the tonic (home chord), whereas the motion to C major provides a brief, partial sense of relief from the somber tonality of E minor. It is important to mention here that C Major is the relative major of E minor which adds to the continuity of the overall sound. The lack of chordal variation prominently focuses the listener’s attention on the melody and lyrics.
Overall Analysis
“Eleanor Rigby’” is a song by The Beatles, released on their 1966 album “Revolver”. Being unusually somber and profound for a pop song, it showcases The Beatles’ expanding musical palette and their desire to move past the conventional parameters of popular music at the time. The song itself is crafted entirely around the key of E minor, with only occasional diversions to the IV chord (C Major). It strongly exhibits the use of Aeolian mode (commonly known as the ‘natural’ minor) and employs string quartet instrumentation, a unique stylistic pattern at that time.
Style Analysis
The Beatles were known for their innovative use of chord progressions and exploratory approach to songwriting, in which regard, “Eleanor Rigby” stands out as one of their most unusual compositions. The absence of any traditional rock instrumentation (like drums, bass, or guitar) and featuring a double string quartet, adds a baroque/classical tinge making the song highly unorthodox for a pop/rock band in the late 1960s.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby – Verse 1?
[‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘Em’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘Em’]
