The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever – Verse 3
Strawberry Fields Forever < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘E7’, ‘F#m’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘A’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Below is the chord progression for Verse 3 with their Roman numerals:
“`
E (I),
Emaj7 (Imaj7),
E7 (I7),
F#m (IIIm),
E (I),
D (IV),
D (IV),
E (I),
A (V),
F#m (IIIm),
D (IV),
E (I),
D (IV),
A (V)
“`
Notice that the E7 is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (A minor), serving as a secondary dominant to the F#m that follows it.
Similar Chord Progressions
While it’s hard to find an exact match for this progression given its complexity, here are a few examples of similar progressions in their use of borrowed chords, major seventh chords and/or secondary dominants:
1. “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys:
“`
‘A’,
‘D ‘,
‘A/C’,
‘Bm’,
‘ G ‘,
‘A’,
‘D ‘,
‘A/C
‘,
‘Bm ‘,
‘Bm/A’
“`
“`
I,
IV,
I/III,
II,
VI,
I,
IV,
I/III,
II,
II/V
“`
2. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles:
“`
‘Am’,
‘Am7/G’,
‘Am6/F’,
‘Am’,
‘D’,
‘G’,
‘C’
“`
“`
Im,
Im7/VII,
Im6/VI,
Im,
IV,
VII,
III
“`
Each of these pieces also has a unique blend of chordal movement that showcases both the songwriters’ creativity and their deep understanding of music theory.
Musical Analysis
The progression starts with a tonic chord (I) followed by a maj7 (Imaj7), creating a dreamy sound that immediately provides an interesting start and draws listeners in. It then hovers around the tonic key, interspersed with an unexpected move to the IV, before returning to the tonic and resolving in the V. This pre-dominant (IV) to dominant (V) to tonic (I) progression is a classic move in Western music, giving a sense of closure.
Overall Analysis
“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a significant example of their high level of technical composition skills. This track, which is played in the key of A Major, incorporates variations in the conventional chord progressions by using borrowed chords and shifting harmonic and melodic structures, showcasing their profound understanding of music theory and ability to use those ideas creatively.
Style Analysis
The Beatles were masterful at blending several different musical styles together, and this song is no exception. This chord progression, with its mix of basic triads, seventh chords, and borrowed chords, is indicative of their experimental and genre-defying nature. Their use of borrowed chords is a trait of modal interchange, an aspect of jazz harmony.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever – Verse 3?
[‘E’, ‘Emaj7’, ‘E7’, ‘F#m’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘F#m’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘D’, ‘A’]
