Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

“All You Need Is Love” is in the key of G major. The song primarily uses the chords within the key signature and has a relatively simple harmonic structure. However, the song does utilize a few distinct chord choices that contribute to its unique sonic character. The song applies modal interchange with an inclusion of A minor from the G Mixolydian mode and the D7 and D6 which evoke a hint of the D Mixolydian mode.

“Come Together” by The Beatles, like many other Beatles songs, is known for its unique melody and innovative chord progressions. The song is written in the key of D minor and employs frequent use of bluesy pentatonic scale patterns. The meter is 4/4 (common time). The song is characterized by the use of common chords, with the exception of the Bm and Bm/A chords which are noteworthy.

The verse of “Megalomania” by Muse is characterized by distinctive harmonic progressions, dynamic contrasts, and notable melodic lines that are typical of the band’s alternative rock style. Throughout this verse, Muse uses common harmonic devices such as secondary dominants, diatonic and chromatic mediants, borrowed chords from parallel keys, and deceptive cadences to create a sense of tension and forward momentum.

“Wonderwall” is a song by Oasis, a British rock band. The song showcases the blend of rock and Britpop style. The chord progression in the verse reflects a strong pop feeling, primarily residing in the key of G major.

The Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand – Verse 1

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

G, D, Em, B, G, D, Em, B7

Chord Progression Analysis

– G Major (I)
– D Major (V)
– E minor (vi)
– B Major (‘III borrowed from parallel minor’)
– G Major (I)
– D Major (V)
– E minor (vi)
– B7 Major (‘III7 borrowed from parallel minor’)

A code block for the borrowed chord:

“B Major” and “B7 Major” are borrowed from the parallel minor (G minor) scale

Similar Chord Progressions

Artists like The Beach Boys and Elton John have also used similar chord progressions. For example, in Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”:

– A Major (I)
– E Major (V)
– F# minor (vi)
– C# Major (‘III borrowed from parallel minor’)
– A Major (I)
– E Major (V)
– F# minor (vi)
– C#7 Major (‘III7 borrowed from parallel minor’)

In Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows”, the progression is:

– A Major (I)
– E Major (V)
– F# minor (vi)
– C# Major (‘III borrowed from parallel minor’)
– A Major (I)
– E Major (V)
– F# minor (vi)
– C#7 Major (‘III7 borrowed from parallel minor’)

Musical Analysis

Borrowed chords create an unexpected element in chord progressions and it’s one of the tools used by The Beatles for enhancing musical interest in their composition. The use of the B Major and B7 chords from the parallel minor scale adds a unique color to the harmony and increases the tension which is resolved when returning to the G Major. It also creates a seamless chromatic ascending bass line from E (in Em chord) to F# (in G chord) via F (in B major or B7).

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

The use of major chords borrowed from the parallel minor scale is a key characteristic of The Beatles’ style and it’s evident in many of their songs. It gives a happy yet melancholic feel to the song. Another style hallmark in this song is the effective use of dominant 7th chords to create a sense of anticipation and resolve.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles are:

G, D, Em, B, G, D, Em, B7