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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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The Beatles – In My Life – Interlude

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Chord Progression

[‘A’, ‘E’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Interlude: A Major (I), E Major (V).

Here, the ‘A’ is the tonic chord (I), and ‘E’ is the dominant chord (V). The interlude progression provides a perfect cadence from V to I which is commonly found in many styles of western music. This resolves the musical tension and gives listeners a sense of resolution and homecoming.

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Borrowed Chord: None in this progression
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Similar Chord Progressions

Song: “Earth Angel” by The Penguins
Progression: D major (I), F# minor (vi), B minor (iii), G major (IV), A major (V), D major (I), G major (IV), A major (V).

Similar to “In My Life”, “Earth Angel” utilizes the I-vi-IV-V progression, a staple of doo-wop music from the 1950s. The song structure is straightforward, featuring a cycle of chords that constantly loop back to the beginning.

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Borrowed Chord: None in this progression
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Musical Analysis

“In My Life” is notable for its variety of chord progressions. The natural minor key is featured in the song; it provides the harmonic foundation in the verses and chorus. The occasional use of D minor borrowed chord from the parallel minor key gives the song an added depth and expresses a sense of longing or melancholy.

Overall Analysis

“In My Life” is a song by The Beatles from the 1965 album Rubber Soul. It is written in the key of A Major, beloved for its introspective lyrics and harmonic structure. The chord progression is complex and contains several borrowed chords and secondary dominants, displaying an impressive use of tonality that is characteristic of the band’s sophisticated songwriting.

Style Analysis

The harmonic structure of “In My Life” embodies the maturation of the Beatles as songwriters. Their use of different key centers, clean transitions between keys, and incorporation of borrowed chords from the parallel minor show a departure from the traditional pop song structures. This mixture of major and minor modes may be seen as a sonic reflection of the mix of joy and melancholy expressed in the lyrics.

Chords in the Interlude section of In My Life by The Beatles are:

[‘A’, ‘E’]