Search

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.

“In My Life” is a song written by The Beatles which stands as a hallmarks of their inventive songwriting and command of complex musical structures. The song is primarily in the key of A Major, but it employs a number of borrowed chords and modal interchange to create a more interesting and richer harmonic landscape. The melody, rhythm, and lyrics of this song are poignant and memorable, making “In My Life” an enduring classic in the Beatles’ catalog.

“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin is characterized by its distinctive blues-rock style and its highly memorable, driving riff. The bulk of the song revolves around the E5 (E power) chord, with occasional transitions to the D5 chord at the beginning of each phrase, giving the song a simple yet highly effective chord progression. The song is in the key of E Mixolydian.

**

The progression in the song “The Less I Know The Better” by Tame Impala shows a combination of borrowed chords and modal mixture, with most of the chords belonging to the key of E Major. The verse chords including G# minor, C# minor, B, and E, establish a strong use of modal interchange, borrowed from the parallel minor of E.

**

“Lord Only Knows” by Beck showcases a simple yet effective chord progression in its Verse 2. The harmonic foundation of this progression is based on the I – V – IV – I pattern, repeated four times. This pattern is common in many popular music genres, with the verse featuring a strong tonic-dominant relationship. The progression also displays an interesting mix of major and minor chords, adding a certain level of spice to the harmonic atmosphere present in the verse.

The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever – Verse 2

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

[‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘E7’, ‘F#m’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘A’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Following is your requested structure with chords from Verse 2:

“`
E (I)
Emaj7 (I maj7)
E7 (I7)
F#m (ii)
E (I)
D (bVII)
D (bVII)
E (I)
A (IV)
F#m (ii)
D (bVII)
E (I)
D (bVII)
A (IV)
“`
Here E7 is a dominant function to lead to A. D is a borrowed chord from E mixolydian mode.

Similar Chord Progressions

“Something” by The Beatles also employs a similar pattern using borrowed chords, though in a different key. Its progression amounts to:

“`
C (I)
Cmaj7 (I maj7)
C7 (I7)
F (IV)
D (bVI)
G (V)
G (V)
A (VI)
“`

Musical Analysis

In Verse 2, the progression initially alternates between the E (I) chord with variations, including the altercations to Emaj7 and E7, and the F#m (ii) chord assisting in the mood. Interestingly, the introduction of borrowed chord D (bVII) from the mixolydian mode and subsequent alternation between E and D creates a unique ambiguous tonality. This progression then resolves to A (IV) creating a sense of stability, only to start the cycle anew.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

The Beatles had a unique way of fusing both traditional and unconventional harmonic concepts. This piece follows the same. The base key doesn’t remain stable and shifts from major key to its relative minor. Also, this song exhibits a modal interchange, with a switch to Mixolydian mode with the borrowed chord D (bVII) giving a different sonic flavor.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles are:

[‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘E7’, ‘F#m’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘A’]