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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” is composed in the key of A Major, but utilizes a number of chord extensions and non-diatonic chords to create a dreamy, nostalgic soundscape fitting the song’s theme of reminiscing about childhood.

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The overall chord progression of “A Hard Days Night” by The Beatles fluctuates between major and minor keys which adds a level of emotional complexity to the song. The use of borrowed chords and unique transitions makes it a noteworthy piece in the realm of 20th-century popular music.

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“Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead is in the key of A major and features an alternative rock style with a strong emphasis on the melody and a hauntingly beautiful vocal progression. The song contains a unique mix of simple and complex chords that give it a sense of tension and unease.

“Time To Pretend” by MGMT features a non-conventional and interesting chord progression. The progression can be primarily analyzed in the key of D Major with a brief modulation to the relative minor (F#m). The chords are not sophisticated in terms of extensions, but the arrangement and harmonic movement provide a unique and memorable melody. This chorus is an example of diatonic and modal mixture, using chords not only from the primary key but also borrowing chords from other modes.

The progression for the song is tuned to a standard E Standard (E A D G B E) and it is in the key of G.

The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever – Chorus 1

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Chord Progression

[‘A’, ‘Em7’, ‘Em7’, ‘F#7’, ‘D’, ‘F#7’, ‘Dmaj7’, ‘A’]

Chord Progression Analysis

For Chorus 1, the chord progression is as follows:

“`
A(I),
Em7(vi7),
Em7(vi7),
F#7(VI7),
D(IV),
F#7(VI7),
Dmaj7(IVΔ7),
A(I)
“`

Notably, the F#7 is a chromatic non-diatonic chord. It serves as the secondary dominant leading to B minor; however, the progression unexpectedly goes to D, which creates an element of surprise. The Dmaj7 is a diatonic chord and is the major seventh of the IV chord.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “She’s Leaving Home” by The Beatles also uses modal interchange, major seventh chords, and non-diatonic resolutions, particularly in its verse progression:
“`
E(I),
Amaj7(IVΔ7),
E(I),
F#7(VI7),
B(II),
E(I)
“`

2. Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” has a similar harmonic complexity, incorporating repeated seventh chords among notably non-diatonic chords in its verse:
“`
A(I),
E/G#(V/vi),
F#m(VI),
D(VI/V),
E(V)
“`

3. “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys is another example of complex harmonies, major seventh chords, and non-diatonic resolutions used in a pop context:
“`
A(I),
Abmin/Db(bVIIm/IIb),
Bm/B(VI),
E7(V7),
F#m(VI),
Gmaj7(bVIIΔ7),
Amaj7(IΔ7),
Db7(IVb7),
D(V),
E(VI),
A(I)
“`

Remember, while these chord progressions have similarities they are not the same. The artists utilize different methods to create harmonic interest.

Musical Analysis

The Beatles’ use of modal interchange—borrowing chords from parallel keys or modes—significantly adds to the complexity and distinctiveness of “Strawberry Fields Forever”. The Em7 is diatonic to A major, but its repetition and role as pre-dominant weakens the tonal center a bit. The F#7, a secondary dominant that should resolve to B minor, instead resolves to the subdominant chord D, adding unexpected tension and surprise. The Dmaj7 leads to the tonic but with a different color because of the raised seventh.

Overall Analysis

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is an iconic psychedelic rock track marked with rich harmonies and sophisticated musical elements. The song is primarily constructed around the key of A, but it employs several modal mixtures and non-diatonic chords, contributing to its intriguing tonality.

Style Analysis

“Strawberry Fields Forever” is a compelling example of the Beatles’ innovative songwriting style during their psychedelic rock period, combining traditional song-form with more experimental harmonic structures. The song employs chromatism, modal interchange, and unexpected chord resolutions, which were uncommon in popular rock music during this era, demonstrating The Beatles’ evolution and challenging of popular music norms.

Chords in the Chorus 1 section of Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles are:

[‘A’, ‘Em7’, ‘Em7’, ‘F#7’, ‘D’, ‘F#7’, ‘Dmaj7’, ‘A’]