The Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand – Bridge
I Want To Hold Your Hand < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Dm7’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘D’]
Chord Progression Analysis
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Here is a chord progression analysis of the bridge. We’ll assume that the song is in the key of G Major:
Dm7 (‘ii7’), G (‘V’), C (‘IV’), Am (‘ii’), Dm7 (‘ii7’), G (‘V’), C (‘IV’), C (‘IV’), C (‘IV’), D (‘V’), C (‘IV’), C (‘IV’), D (‘V’), C (‘IV’), C (‘IV’), D (‘V’)
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Similar Chord Progressions
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1. Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone” is similar to the bridge of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” in that it uses a IV – V progression.
Chord progression: C – D – Em (‘IV – V – vi’ in G Major)
2. In Billy Joel’s “Vienna” the IV chord is held twice just like in the bridge of “I Want To Hold Your Hand”.
Chord progression: D – G – C – C (‘V – I – IV – IV’ in G Major)
These musicians, like The Beatles, often played with harmonic expectations to create fresh and engaging music.
Musical Analysis
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The bridge starts off with a ii7 – V – IV in G major, which moves to a ii in the key of C major. This represents a harmonic surprise as one might expect a V – I cadence in G major. This pattern is then repeated, but instead of returning to ii in C, it stays on the IV chord, C, with alternating V (D) and IV (C) chords. This creates tension, as the expectation of a V – I resolution in G major is thwarted twice, keeping the listener engaged before returning to song’s main key.
Borrowed chords:
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Dm7 (‘ii7’) from C major
Am (‘ii’) from C major
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Overall Analysis
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The Beatles were known for their innovative use of musical elements, and this can be seen in “I Want To Hold Your Hand”. The song is largely in the key of G major, but it also has some borrowed chords from other keys. This variety creates a unique listening experience that keeps the song fresh.
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Style Analysis
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The Beatles were recognised for their tendency to use unexpected chord progressions that kept their music so engaging. The use of borrowed chords and surprising harmonic movements such as the ii7 – V – IV instead of a V – I cadence contributed to their unique sound and keeps the listener engaged as traditional harmonic expectations are thwarted.
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What are the chords in: The Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand – Bridge?
[‘Dm7’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘C’, ‘D’]
