The Beatles – Maxwells Silver Hammer – Verse 2
Maxwells Silver Hammer < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘D’, ‘B7’, ‘Em’, ‘A7’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘E7’, ‘A7’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here is the roman numeral analysis and full chord names of Verse 2:
– D Major (I)
– B7 Major (VI7)
– E Minor (ii)
– A7 Major (V7)
– D Major (I)
– A Major (V)
– E7 Major (II7)
– A7 Major (V7)
The E7 Major (II7) and B7 (VI7) are the borrowed chords.
“`
Borrowed Chords: E7 Major (II7), B7 Major (VI7)
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising”
– D Major (I)
– A Major (V)
– G Major (IV)
– D Major (I)
The Monkees’s “I’m a Believer”
– G Major (I)
– D Major (V)
– C Major (IV)
– G Major (I)
These songs employ similar use of dominant and subdominant chords, although the role of secondary dominants is more pronounced in the Beatles’ progression.
Musical Analysis
Chord progression touches different diatonic chords of D Major, the tonic home key. The sudden switch to B7 serves as a secondary dominant that introduces E minor, the subdominant of D major. This is a great example of a chromatic secondary dominant, which The Beatles were known for using. Further, the E7 acts as a secondary dominant to the A7, the dominant of D Major.
Overall Analysis
“Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1969 album Abbey Road. It was written by Paul McCartney. The song is primarily in the key of D Major and exhibits a mix of major, minor, and dominant seventh chords. This verse progression manifests the distinctive Beatles’ sound which often includes chromaticism and prevalence of secondary dominants that link the chords together, giving a smooth flow and color to the harmonic progression.
Style Analysis
Pick out any Beatles song, and more likely than not, you’ll find it peppered with secondary dominants. “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” is no exception. The song features a cheerful, upbeat tempo and tone despite its dark lyrical content, a classic Beatles contrast. Time signature is 4/4, maintaining a constant easy beat.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – Maxwells Silver Hammer – Verse 2?
[‘D’, ‘B7’, ‘Em’, ‘A7’, ‘D’, ‘A’, ‘E7’, ‘A7’]
