The Beatles – I Am The Walrus – Pre-Chorus 1
I Am The Walrus < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘A’, ‘A/G’, ‘Dadd9/F#’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘A/G’, ‘F’, ‘B7’]
Chord Progression Analysis
“`text
Full Chord Name (Roman Numeral)
A (‘I’)
A/G (‘I/VII’)
Dadd9/F# (‘IV/V’)
F (‘bVI’)
G (‘VII’)
A (‘I’)
A/G (‘I/VII’)
F (‘bVI’)
B7 (‘II7’)
“`
Here, ‘F’ is a borrowed chord typically from the parallel minor key (i.e., ‘bVI’).
Similar Chord Progressions
This kind of eclectic chord progression is found not just in The Beatles’ catalog. It is echoed in the works of other artists such as in Brian Wilson’s compositions for the Beach Boys, for example, the song “God Only Knows” employs a similar kind of unconventional tonality and key changes.
Progression in God Only Knows:
“`text
Full Chord Name (Roman Numeral)
A (‘I’)
Bm (‘ii’)
D (‘IV’)
G (‘VII’)
A (‘I’)
F7 (‘bVI7’)
B7 (‘II7’)
“`
Musical Analysis
In the pre-chorus, the chord progression starts on ‘A’ (the tonic), descending via an A/G (a slash chord adding color to the progression), to Dadd9/F# (a typical IV chord), further augmented with a F# bass note. The ‘F’ chord acts as a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, providing a colorful textural shift within the progression. This is followed by a traditional G and a return to the tonic ‘A’, further cascading through A/G and F, and finally resolving to a B7. The B7 acts as a secondary dominant that points towards the ‘E’, which becomes the key for the upcoming part of the song.
Overall Analysis
“I Am The Walrus” is a composition by The Beatles that showcases a variety of chord progressions, rhythmic sensibilities, and melodic explorations that are representative of their signature sound. The song’s structure presents a complex and unorthodox harmonic design that is characteristic of The Beatles’ later experimental phase.
The pre-chorus 1 [‘A’, ‘A/G’, ‘Dadd9/F#’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘A/G’, ‘F’, ‘B7’] presents a series of descending bass notes provided by the root movement of these chords- from A to G (in ‘A/G’) to F# (in ‘Dadd9/F#’) and then repeated. This technique significantly enhances the melodic content of this progression. From a stylistic perspective, the song’s chord progression is enriched by the functional interplay of diatonic and non-diatonic elements over a changing tonal landscape.
Style Analysis
As typical with many Beatles compositions, the progression moves beyond the confines of traditional pop music tonality of their era. The use of borrowed chords such as F (bVI), and the slash chord A/G (‘I/VII’), contribute to a sense of harmonic complexity and tension. This progression exhibits their fondness for chromatic movement and innovative chord changes, subtly shifting key centers.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – I Am The Walrus – Pre-Chorus 1?
[‘A’, ‘A/G’, ‘Dadd9/F#’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘A’, ‘A/G’, ‘F’, ‘B7’]
