The Beatles – Rocky Raccoon – Verse 3
Rocky Raccoon < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Am7’, ‘D7sus4’, ‘D7’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am7’, ‘D7sus4’, ‘D7’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am7’, ‘D7sus4’, ‘D7’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am7’, ‘D7sus4’, ‘D7’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here are the full chord names and their Roman numerals:
“`
Am7 (‘vi7’)
D7sus4 (‘IV7sus4’ – Borrowed Chord)
D7 (‘IV7’ – Borrowed Chord)
G7 (‘VII7’)
C (‘I’)
C/B (‘I’/VII)
Am7 (‘vi7’)
D7sus4 (‘IV7sus4’ – Borrowed Chord)
D7 (‘IV7’ – Borrowed Chord)
G7 (‘VII7’)
C (‘I’)
C/B (‘I’/VII)
Am7 (‘vi7’)
D7sus4 (‘IV7sus4’ – Borrowed Chord)
D7 (‘IV7’ – Borrowed Chord)
G7 (‘VII7’)
C (‘I’)
C/B (‘I’/VII)
Am7 (‘vi7’)
D7sus4 (‘IV7sus4’ – Borrowed Chord)
D7 (‘IV7’ – Borrowed Chord)
G7 (‘VII7’)
C (‘I’)
C/B (‘I’/VII)
“`
Similar Chord Progressions
One can observe a somewhat similar chord progression in the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses”, employing a sequence of G, Am7, Bm, and G. “Tangled Up in Blue” by Bob Dylan also utilizes a mix of dominant and sustained chords, demonstrating a progression of A, G, D, Dsus4.
Musical Analysis
In this progression, the Beatles alternate between the vi7 and IV7 for tension before concluding on the I chord. The use of the IV7 chord (represented here as both a D7sus4 and a D7) is actually borrowed from the Dorian mode, which promotes a somewhat bluesy, soulful texture amidst the primarily diatonic context.
Overall Analysis
The Beatles’ “Rocky Raccoon” incorporates a repeating sequence of predominantly seventh chords, displaying a mix of minor, dominant, and sustained chords within the and C Major/A minor keys. This diversity contributes to the song’s unique harmony, and given its context in a folk rock style, the progression exudes a rustic, storytelling personality.
Style Analysis
“Rocky Raccoon” embodies the folk rock fusion that the Beatles were known for in their later years, with the progression’s rustic lyricism corresponding beautifully with the song’s narrative. Additionally, the progressive seventh chords and borrowed Dorian notes contribute to a nostalgic, western saloon style evocative of classic American folk music.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – Rocky Raccoon – Verse 3?
[‘Am7’, ‘D7sus4’, ‘D7’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am7’, ‘D7sus4’, ‘D7’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am7’, ‘D7sus4’, ‘D7’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am7’, ‘D7sus4’, ‘D7’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’]
