The Beatles – The Long And Winding Road – Bridge
The Long And Winding Road < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘D’, ‘G6’, ‘F#m’, ‘Em’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘G6’, ‘F#m’, ‘Em’, ‘A’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here is the analysis of the bridge part of the song. The song is in the key of D major.
D (‘I’)
G6 (‘IV6’)
F#m (‘iii’)
Em (‘ii’)
A (‘V’)
D (‘I’)
G6 (‘IV6’)
F#m (‘iii’)
Em (‘ii’)
A (‘V’)
“`The borrowed chord here is the G6 (IV6), as it takes the G major chord from the D major key and adds the 6th note.“`
Similar Chord Progressions
A similar progression can be found in various ballads across different genres, considering the Beatles’ influence on contemporary music. An example of this is Elton John’s “Your Song.” While the song is in a different key (E-flat), a similar progression can be seen in its verses:
Eb (‘I’)
Ab (‘IV’)
Bb (‘V’)
Cm7 (‘vi7’)
Fm7 (‘ii7’)
Bb (‘V’)
In both songs, we can see a similar flow in the use of dominant and pre-dominant chords, leading back to the tonic. This is a standard feature of classical functional harmony, effectively employed in these popular ballads. Another crucial similarity is the intermixing of major and minor chords, which gives a unique flavor to both compositions.
Musical Analysis
The progression of this bridge is simple yet effective, with all chords drawn from the D major diatonic scale except for the G6. It starts on the tonic, D, and navigates the circle of fifths in a counter-clockwise direction until reaching the dominant, A, before returning once again to the tonic. This entire progression is then repeated, creating a satisfying symmetry within the bridge. The use of the major sixth in G6 serves to foreshadow the progression to F#m and give the progression an unexpectedly nostalgic quality, a classic Beatles touch.
Overall Analysis
“The Long And Winding Road” by The Beatles presents us with a classic example of their innovative approach to harmony and composition. Drawing from various sources of influence, the song incorporates elements of traditional pop ballad form with a hint of the Baroque harmonic palette. This song is an excellent study in complex harmony and modulation within a pop music context, a trait that underpins much of The Beatles’ later work.
Style Analysis
The Beatles often used borrowed chords and secondary dominants in their compositions, pushing the boundaries of what was commonly accepted in rock and pop music. The intricacy of this harmonic style created an appealing complexity that engaged listeners, leading to their enduring popularity.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – The Long And Winding Road – Bridge?
[‘D’, ‘G6’, ‘F#m’, ‘Em’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘G6’, ‘F#m’, ‘Em’, ‘A’]
