The Beatles – Penny Lane – Verse 1
Penny Lane < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘E7’]
Chord Progression Analysis
This is the Chord Progression of Verse 1: [‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘E7’]
It goes as follows,
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
B Minor (ii – borrowed from Dorian mode)
E7 (V7)
A Major (I)
F#m (vi)
A Minor (i – borrowed from Parallel minor)
F Major (♭VI – borrowed from A Aeolian mode)
E7 (V7)
The harmonies show an extensive use of diatonic and borrowed chords.
In text format:
“`
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
B Minor (ii – borrowed)
E7 (V7)
A Major (I)
F# Minor (vi)
A Minor (I – borrowed)
F Major (♭VI – borrowed)
E7 (V7)
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
Some songs that have similar chord progressions to “Penny Lane” include “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys and “Don’t Look Back In Anger” by Oasis. These songs both include tonal shifts, borrowed chords, and secondary dominants.
“God Only Knows” Chord Progression:
“`
A (I)
Bm (ii)
G (IV)
D (I)
Em (ii)
G (IV)
D7 (V7)
“`
“Don’t Look Back In Anger” includes a progression that borrows chords from the parallel minor and major keys:
“`
C (I)
G (V)
Am (vi)
E7 (V7)
F (IV)
G (V)
C (I)
A7 (V of ii)
Dm (ii)
G (V)
“`
These songs’ similarity to “Penny Lane” is seen in their integration of diatonic and non-diatonic elements in their chord progressions.
Musical Analysis
“The Beatles” use borrowed chords, which are chords borrowed from the parallel minor of the key of the piece, to add color and tension. The song modulates frequently, giving it immense depth and complexity. It also uses secondary dominants to enhance the resolution to the following chord and create a sense of movement.
The melody is mostly diatonic, but it is adorned with many non-chordal tones. The use of the E7 chord, a secondary dominant, serves the purpose of leading up to A Major, creating a strong sense of “home.”
Overall Analysis
“Penny Lane” by The Beatles is a pop rock song released in 1967. Musically, the track displays characteristics of the “Baroque pop” style combine with psychedelic pop. The composition is multifaceted with complex chord progressions inspired by classical music, as well as elements of the British music hall style, specifically brass band influences throughout.
Style Analysis
“Penny Lane” adheres to The Beatles’ signature songwriting style while introducing a more classics-inspired harmonic language. The baroque-pop style was quite audacious for its time, merging classical and pop elements, often using string arrangements and an array of classical instruments.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – Penny Lane – Verse 1?
[‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘E7’]
