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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is an excellent example of their innovative approach to harmony and chord progression. This song, written in the key of G major, features a common I-V-vi-III progression in the verses. It notably uses borrowed ‘B’ major and ‘B7’ chords from the parallel minor scale.

The song “Rocky Raccoon” by The Beatles features a intriguing chord progression typically employed in blues and folk music that creates a captivating storytelling-style musical framework. The verse using the provided chords weaves an interesting tale via major and minor fluctuations giving an emotional depth to the lyrics.

“I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues” is a well-known hit by Elton John from the album “Too Low for Zero” released in 1983. The song is a blend of pop, rock and blues styles and showcases Elton John’s proficiency in blending different music genres. The verse uses a straightforward I-V-vi-IV progression which is a common progression in pop music.

The Chorus’s

This chorus from The Beatles’ “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill” is an example of clever use of common chord transitions with several shifts in tonality. The chord progression uses the tonic key of C Major and F minor, showing complex modulation derived from modal interchange and secondary dominant techniques.

The chorus of “Hate This And I’ll Love You” by Muse features a highly chromatic and non-diatonic chord progression, with a myriad of borrowed chords and some distinctive rock sound. The key within which the progression is based seems to shift between E minor and B minor, with a mixture of Major and minor chords throughout.

The Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘B7’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The chorus of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” goes as follow, in the key of G major:

C Major (IV), D Major (V), G Major (I), E minor (vi), C Major (IV), D Major (V), B7 Dominant 7 (III7), C Major (IV), D Major (V), C Major (IV), G Major (I)

Please note that the B7 chord can be seen as a secondary dominant of the E minor chord.

“`Music Theory
Borrowed Chord: None
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Sam’s Town” by The Killers uses a similar IV-V-I progression, but in a more rock-influenced context. The progression in the key of B Major:
E Major (IV), F# Major (V), B Major (I), G#m (vi), E Major (IV), F# Major (V), D#7 (III7), F# Major (V)

2. “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars also uses a similar IV-V-I progression, but in a more contemporary pop context. The progression in the key of F Major:
Bb Major (IV), C Major (V), F Major (I), Dm (vi), Bb Major (IV), C Major (V), A7 (III7), Bb Major (IV), C Major (V), Bb Major (IV), F Major (I)

This kind of progression is common in pop music due to the strong resolution of the IV-V-I movement, and the use of a secondary dominant to create extra harmonic interest. The Beatles’ impact on popular music can be clearly seen in these songs which incorporate this progression.

Musical Analysis

The chorus starts with a IV-V-I progression, quite a standard in pop music as it gives the effect of “returning home”, creating a resolution. This creates a feel of happiness and optimism, which complements the lyrical content of the song. Following the G Major, the progression moves to E minor adding a touch of melancholy then goes back to the IV-V progression, indicating a resolution. The B7 acts as a Dominant 7 of the iii chord, adding tension and preparing the listener for the return to the IV-V progression, and finally concluding at the “home” chord, G Major.

Overall Analysis

The song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is cheerful and upbeat, with accessible melodies that catch the audience’s attention immediately. The rhythm is contagious and gives a happy atmosphere to the whole song. It is a perfect example of the early influences of rock ‘n’ roll on The Beatles, with a chord progression that is quite common in pop/rock music but showcases The Beatles’ ability to create fresh and unique melodic ideas.

Style Analysis

This left turn into minor key followed by the secondary dominant is a hallmark of Beatles music, showing their ability to add structural complexity and unpredictability within the confines of pop music. This also shows their early affinity for mixing major and minor keys to create distinct flavors.

Chords in the Chorus section of I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles are:

[‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘B7’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G’]