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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is one of the excellent examples of the unique and complex style popular in the late 1960’s. It is in the key of E and further progresses to F# minor. The progression utilizes modal interchange, chromaticism, and unusual chord progressions to create a dreamlike and psychedelic landscape that perfectly suits the lyrical theme of the song.

“Rocky Raccoon” by The Beatles incorporates chords commonly associated with the genre of folk or country music. It is primarily built on a repetitive chord progression which consists of Am7, D7sus4, D7, G7, C, and C/B. There’s also a use of plenty of sevenths and suspensions to create a slightly jazzy feel. It’s also worth noting The Beatles’ penchant for chords that provide a mix of major and minor tonalities.

The song “1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins has a chord progression that can be considered experimental for Pop and Rock music, which typically tend to use simple and easily predictable progressions. In this song, the progression is notably more complex and unpredictable, shifting between ‘E’ and ‘Emaj7’ gives this track a moody feel, and the Amaj7 gives it another color. This progression is in the key of E major.

“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 song “Killer Queen” by Queen is primarily set in the key of F Major, while the Chorus 1 is in the key of G Major. The song’s harmonic voice leading and progressions reveal a sophisticated and nuanced approach that involves a continuous change of tonal center and utilization of secondary dominant and borrowed chords.

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’]