The Beatles – In My Life – Verse 2
In My Life < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘A’, ‘E’, ‘F#m’, ‘A7/G’, ‘D’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘A’, ‘E’, ‘F#m’, ‘A7/G’, ‘D’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here are the full chord names and their analysis in Roman numerals:
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“A Major (‘I’)”, “E Major (‘V’)”, “F# Minor (‘vi’)”, “A7/G (V7/IV with a 3rd inversion)”, “D Major (‘IV’)”, “D Minor (‘iv’)”, “A Major (‘I’)”,
“A Major (‘I’)”, “E Major (‘V’)”, “F# Minor (‘vi’)”, “A7/G (V7/IV with a 3rd inversion)”, “D Major (‘IV’)”, “D Minor (‘iv’)”, “A Major (‘I’)”
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In this progression, “D Minor (‘iv’)” is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (A minor).
Similar Chord Progressions
Similar chord progressions can be found in many other popular songs, especially those from the same era. Some examples include “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & the Papas, “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys, and “Everybody’s Changing” by Keane. Here are the progressions:
“California Dreamin’”:
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“C Major (‘I’)”, “Bb Major (borrowed ‘♭VII’)”, “F Major (‘IV’)”, “C Major (‘I’)”
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“God Only Knows”:
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“E Major (‘I’)”, “B/F# (‘V/vi with 1st inversion’)”, “F# Minor (‘vi’)”, “D#m7/F# (ii7/vi with 1st inversion)”, “F# Major (‘V’)”, “B Major (‘V/vi’)”, “E Major (‘I’)”
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“Everybody’s Changing”:
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“D Major (‘I’)”, “Bm (‘vi’)”, “G Major (‘IV’)”, “A Major (‘V’)”
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In each of these cases, the artist uses a slightly different technique to achieve a similar sense of depth and complexity in their progression.
Musical Analysis
The progression starts in A Major, which gives the song a bright and joyful feeling. The progression then moves to E Major, the V chord, which is a very common movement that sets up a feeling of tension and anticipation.
The progression then delves into some more complex harmonic territory by moving to the vi chord, F# Minor, followed by an unusual A7/G, which is the dominant 7th chord of the IV (D Major) with a third inversion incorporated.
The song then moves to the IV chord, D Major, and then quickly switches to D minor, a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key, which creates an unexpected and poignant shift in tonality. Finally, the progression moves back to the I chord, A Major, rounding off the phrase and bringing a sense of resolution.
Overall Analysis
“In My Life” is a song written by The Beatles which stands as a hallmarks of their inventive songwriting and command of complex musical structures. The song is primarily in the key of A Major, but it employs a number of borrowed chords and modal interchange to create a more interesting and richer harmonic landscape. The melody, rhythm, and lyrics of this song are poignant and memorable, making “In My Life” an enduring classic in the Beatles’ catalog.
Style Analysis
The Beatles were known for their adventurous and experimental approach to songwriting, and “In My Life” is no exception. The use of the borrowed chord (D minor) from the parallel minor key is a typical Beatles’ touch, as well as the third inversion in A7/G chord, evidencing their comfort with more complex harmonic structures.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – In My Life – Verse 2?
[‘A’, ‘E’, ‘F#m’, ‘A7/G’, ‘D’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘A’, ‘E’, ‘F#m’, ‘A7/G’, ‘D’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’]
