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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Penny Lane” by The Beatles is an eclectic and elegant piece of music evident in its rhythm, harmony, melody, and lyrics. It is predominantly in the key of A Major, but it has several key changes and introduces chords that are non-diatonic, giving it a progressive and unexpected feel.

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“Cant Buy Me Love” by The Beatles is a pure example of their early rock-and-roll style influenced by blues. It uses common chord progressions in rock and blues, such as the I-IV-V progression and the use of dominant 7th chords. The song is set in C major, and makes repeated use of the I-IV (C-F) progression. A significant feature in the song is the use of the dominant 7th chords (C7 and F7), which adds some bluesy quality to the song and also serves as a transition chord to the next chord in the progression.

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“Something” written by George Harrison from The Beatles majorly follows the key of C major and includes a few borrowed chords. There is a usage of secondary dominants and seventh chords which lend a harmonic complexity to the song. During the course of the song, the chords shift from the major scale to the parallel minor scale.

“The Long And Winding Road” is in the key of D major. The chords are quite typical of pop music, however, The Beatles use of extensions and suspensions provide a unique complexity to the progression. The song dabbles in modal interchange as it borrows chords from parallel minor, a popular Beatles technique.

“Your Song” by Elton John is an iconic pop ballad featuring a piano-driven accompaniment. Harmonically, the song displays rich and varied chord progressions within key of D major, though with a significant usage of borrowed chords and alterations that contribute to a unique and expressive harmonic language. There is a classical and cinematic air about this song establishing it as a flagship Elton John classic.

The Beatles – Penny Lane – Verse 4

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Chord Progression

[‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘E7’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
A (I),
F#m (vi),
Bm (ii),
E7 (V7/vi),
A (I),
F#m (vi),
Am (bVI – borrowed from A minor),
F (bVI – borrowed from A minor, tritone substitution of B7),
E7 (V7),
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder:
“`
A (I),
F#m (vi),
Bm/E (ii/V),
E7 (V7),
A (I),
D/A (IV),
Fsus7(#11),
F7(#11)
“`

2. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston:
“`
A (I),
F#m7 (vi7),
Bm7 (ii7),
E7 (V7),
Dmaj7 (IVmaj7),
Gmaj7 (bVII),
Bm7 (ii7),
C#m7b5 (viio7b5),
Dmaj7 (IVmaj7),
Dm7 (IVm7)
— borrowed from A minor
“`

Both songs contain similar I-vi-ii-V7 sequences and use of borrowed chords/modal interchange; Stevie Wonder also uses an Fsus7(#11) as a tritone substitution for the dominant B7 similar to the Beatles’ usage of F in place of B7.

Notice how both of them and The Beatles blend pop, jazz, and classical elements together in their music, by incorporating advanced harmony and unique chord progressions.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression starts normally, with a I-vi-ii-V7 sequence which is common in many pop songs (also known as a circle progression). However, The Beatles used an E7 as a secondary dominant to point towards the vi chord, F#m. This enhances the harmonic movement and creates stronger tension and resolution. The song also uses modal interchange when it borrows Am and F from the parallel minor key (A minor). The substitution of F for B7 is a particular feature known as tritone substitution, common in jazz.

Overall Analysis

The song “Penny Lane” written by the Beatles is in the key of A major. The structure of Verse 4, specifically, has a very effective use of both diatonic (belonging naturally to the key) and borrowed chords (taken from a different key or mode). They have incorporated secondary dominants, pivot modulation, and modal interchange which reflect their knowledge of musical theory and compositional skills.

Style Analysis

The Beatles often used secondary dominants, modal interchange, and tritone substitutions in their songs to add harmonic interest, reflecting their advanced understanding of music theory. They were known for their innovative and unique blending of elements from different music styles – pop, blues, and classical – in their compositions.

Chords in the Verse 4 section of Penny Lane by The Beatles are:

[‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘E7’]