The Beatles – Hey Jude – Verse
Hey Jude < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘D’, ‘A’, ‘A7’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘A7’, ‘D’]
Chord Progression Analysis
“`
D (I)
A (V)
A7 (V7)
D (I)
G (IV)
D (I)
A (V)
A7 (V7)
D (I)
“`
This is a fairly typical pop/rock progression that loosely follows a I-V-IV-I pattern. However, this pattern is made more complex with the use of the V7 (A7 in this case) to add tension and depth.
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Musical Analysis
“Hey Jude” is a poignant and touching composition. Musically, the initial part of the progression is designed to create a strong emotional bond with the listener. The song begins on the tonic chord (D), moves to the dominant (A), adds a seventh for tension (A7), then resolves back to the tonic (D). This is followed by a move to the subdominant (G), before returning to the tonic (D) and repeating the sequence. This simple yet effective progression helps create the song’s distinctive emotional landscape. Furthermore, the frequent return to the tonic chord (D) creates a sense of stability and resolution, underscoring the song’s overall comforting feel.
Overall Analysis
“Hey Jude,” by The Beatles, is an iconic song. The chord progression is in the key of D major and it follows a sort of Variation on I-V-IV-I progression of many pop and rock songs. However, what makes this song extremely unique is its out-of-the-box structure and the experimental use of borrowed cords – it shows The Beatles’ fondness for combining elements of pop, rock and classical music and results in an emotional, powerful progression that resonates strongly with listeners.
Style Analysis
In terms of style, “Hey Jude” is quintessentially Beatles. Its creative harmonic progressions, use of borrowed chords, and blending of rock, pop, and classical elements is characteristic of their late-period work. Additionally, the song’s unconventional structure (lacking a traditional verse-chorus-bridge format) and its extended “na-na-na” coda also mark it as a standout example of The Beatles’ innovative approach to songwriting.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – Hey Jude – Verse?
[‘D’, ‘A’, ‘A7’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘A7’, ‘D’]
