The Beatles – I Will – Verse 1
I Will < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘Em’, ‘C7’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘C7’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G(sus4)’]
Chord Progression Analysis
C (I)’, ‘Am (vi)’, ‘Dm7 (ii7)’, ‘G7 (V7)’, ‘C (I)’, ‘Am (vi)’, ‘Em (iii)’, ‘C7 (I7)’, ‘F (IV)’, ‘G (V)’, ‘Am (vi)’, ‘C7 (I7)’, ‘F (IV)’, ‘G (V)’, ‘C (I)’, ‘Am (vi)’, ‘Dm7 (ii7)’, ‘G(sus4) (Vsus4)’
Borrowed Chords:
“`
‘C7 (I7)’
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
One common progression that shares some similarities with “I Will” is the progression used in “Earth Angel” by The Penguins:
‘Eb (I)’, ‘Bb/D (V/iii)’, ‘Cm7 (ii7)’, ‘F7 (V7)’, ‘Bb (IV)’, ‘Eb (I)’, ‘Bb/D (V/iii)’, ‘Ab (bVII)’, ‘Eb (I)’
The key difference here is a bVII (Ab) chord, which acts as a borrowed chord from the key of Eb minor. It sidesteps the expected V chord and leads back to the I chord for the next repetition of the progression. This chord, similar to the borrowed chords in ‘I Will’, gives the progression an added color and complexity.
Musical Analysis
The underlying structure of ‘I Will’ showcases an interesting use of several common progressions and cadences within the key of C major. The use of a I-vi-ii-V cycle provides a strong forward momentum to the progression, propelling it towards the repetition. The I7 (C7) chord is a secondary dominant, specifically a V/IV that serves as a pivot chord to introduce the IV (F) chord. This adds an unexpected twist that enhances the harmonic interest of the song.
Overall Analysis
The song “I Will” by The Beatles is an example of their unique and sophisticated approach to pop songwriting, demonstrating their comprehensive mastery of harmony within the pop idiom. The majority of the harmonies used in the song are diatonic to the key of C major, however there are several instances of borrowed chords that add color and complexity to the song’s overall harmonic structure.
Style Analysis
The Beatles’ “I Will” is marked by its simplicity and economy. Its chord progression echoes a familiar rock/pop tradition but does so with an inventiveness that betrays the group’s strong understanding of harmonic function. The occasional unexpected modulations and heavily syncopated vocal melodies give the song a unique twist within the pop genre.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – I Will – Verse 1?
[‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘Em’, ‘C7’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘C7’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘Am’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G(sus4)’]
