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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” features a verse in A minor with a brief but significant shift to F minor, due to the use of borrowed chords or modal mixture. Notably, it showcases The Beatles’ sophisticated approach to harmonization, utilizing unconventional chord progressions & modulations that are cyclical.

“A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles is a song that was unusually complex and beautifully experimental. It uses rarely seen chord structures that emphasize both traditional tonality and borrowed tones from outside the key signature. This song is an excellent example of Beatles-style blending of rock & roll and pop music with elements of classical chord progressions and harmonies. It is also a great example of how The Beatles stretched the boundaries of diatonic harmony.

“Tonight, Tonight” by The Smashing Pumpkins draws from the band’s unique style of alternative rock influenced by a distinct palette of harmonic choices. Particularly in the songwriting of Billy Corgan (the band’s primary songwriter), the band tends to use a mix of common and uncommon chords, together with a tendency of exploring different tonalities. Often, the chord changes are driven by guitar inversions, suspensions, or additions.

The chord progression in the chorus of Beck’s “Think I’m In Love” is a fairly simple one that revolves around two key centers, Ab major and Eb major. The main chords used are based on the I-IV-V structure which is common in rock and pop music. It features a major I-IV relationship and an unexpected chord, F major, which adds some harmonic interest.

“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is a song in the key of B minor, although it freely borrows chords from the parallel major key. The song’s structure is as follows: Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus – Instrumental.

The Beatles – The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘C’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘G7’, ‘A’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘E7’, ‘C’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘G7’, ‘A’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘E7’]

Chord Progression Analysis

(For clarity, each chord below will follow the syntax: Full Chord name (‘Roman Numeral) .)

– C Major (‘I)
– G7 Major (‘V7)
– C Major (‘I)
– F minor (‘iv)
– C Major (‘I)
– F minor (‘iv)
– G7 Major (‘V7)
– A Major (‘VI)
– E7 Major (Secondary Dominant of ‘V in A Major)
– A Major (‘VI)
– D minor (‘ii)
– A Major (‘VI)
– D minor (‘ii)
– E7 Major (Secondary Dominant of ‘V in A Major)
– C Major (‘I)
– G7 Major (‘V7)
– C Major (‘I)
– F minor (‘iv)
– C Major (‘I)
– F minor (‘iv)
– G7 Major (‘V7)
– A Major (‘VI)
– E7 Major (Secondary Dominant of ‘V in A Major)
– A Major (‘VI)
– D minor (‘ii)
– A Major (‘VI)
– D minor (‘ii)
– E7 Major (Secondary Dominant of ‘V in A Major)

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Notable Borrowed Chords:

F minor (‘iv): Borrowed from C minor (Parallel Minor of C Major)
A Major (‘VI): Borrowed from C major’s Parallel Minor’s (C minor’s) Relative Major (Eb Major)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison uses the ‘I – ‘V (C Major – G7 Major) progression.

2. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles uses the ‘I – ‘iv progression (C Major – F minor).

For comparison:

– “My Sweet Lord”: G (‘I) – Em (‘vi) – G (‘I) – D7 (‘V7)
– “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”: Am (‘vi) – C (‘I) – G (‘V) – D (‘IV) – E (‘V/vi – Secondary Dominant)

Musical Analysis

The use of the F minor (‘iv) chord from the parallel minor creates a striking, “color” effect which certainly contributes to the unique musical character of this Beatles’ piece. Additionally, the repeated shifts between tonal centers with the use of secondary dominants contribute to an adventurous feel typical of many Beatles’ compositions.

Overall Analysis

This chorus from The Beatles’ “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill” is an example of clever use of common chord transitions with several shifts in tonality. The chord progression uses the tonic key of C Major and F minor, showing complex modulation derived from modal interchange and secondary dominant techniques.

Style Analysis

This complex composition style is in line with the progressive musical tendencies of The Beatles. They were known for their frequent use of modal interchange (borrowed chords), secondary dominants, and for their seamless tonal shifts which kept their music dynamically engaging.

Chords in the Chorus section of The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill by The Beatles are:

[‘C’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘G7’, ‘A’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘E7’, ‘C’, ‘G7’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘C’, ‘Fm’, ‘G7’, ‘A’, ‘E7’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘A’, ‘Dm’, ‘E7’]