The Beatles – Hey Jude – Outro
Hey Jude < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’]
Chord Progression Analysis
The chords in the progression are D major, C major, and G major. However, considering that the original key of the song is D major, the C major can be seen as a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key. Here’s how the analysis would look:
– D Major (I)
– C Major (bVII)
– G Major (IV)
– D Major (I)
“`
D Major (‘I’)
C Major (‘bVII’)
G Major (‘IV’)
D Major (‘I’)
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
Actually, the chord progression D-C-G-D is known as a descending tetrachord, which is very common in pop and rock music. Some examples are:
– “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
D Major (I), C Major (bVII), G Major (IV), D Major (I)
– “With or Without You” by U2
D Major (I), A Major (V), B minor (vi), G Major (IV)
Note that while the exact chords are not identical, the structure – a steady descent with a return to the tonic – is very similar. It shows the versatility of this progression, which can sound equally good in rock ballads, pop anthems, and more.
Musical Analysis
The progression D-C-G-D is a classic example of using the IV and I chords, along with a borrowed bVII chord. This creates a bit of a surprise and adds color to what would otherwise be a straightforward progression. It works so well because the bVII chord has two notes in common with the IV chord, creating a smooth transition.
Overall Analysis
The outro of ‘Hey Jude’ by The Beatles is a prime example of a repeated chord progression, specifically a repeated loop of D-C-G-D. This progression is repeated throughout the last significant section of the song, often referred to as the “na na na” section, essentially becoming a kind of mantra or chant that brings the song to a sustained and palpable resolution.
Style Analysis
The Beatles frequently used such non-diatonic chords in their music. Perhaps this is one of the reasons ‘Hey Jude’ is so fascinating and resonating – it encapsulates that distinctive, experimental Beatles sound. The outro is also distinctly Beatles in it’s extensive, repetitive, almost hypnotic nature, intentionally written to encourage audience participation.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – Hey Jude – Outro?
[‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘D’]
