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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“The Long and Winding Road” by The Beatles is written in the key of D major and utilizes various chord progressions that contribute to its melancholic and nostalgic atmosphere.

“Here, There and Everywhere” is a Beatles song from the album “Revolver”, released in 1966. The song is in the key of G major and showcases an advanced use of borrowed chords and modulations, a topic that contributes to the originality of this song. McCartney credited the song’s structure of changing key to Brian Wilson’s influence in the same period.

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is a song written by Elton John that features a complex chord progression that effectively complements the haunting and nostalgic quality of the song’s lyrics. The primary key of the song is D major, while parts of the progression borrow from both the parallel minor (D minor) and the relative minor (B minor). The use of these borrowed chords adds harmonic interest and enhances the song’s evocative, wistful mood.

“Buddy Holly” is a song by Weezer with an upbeat, pop-rock feel. It exists in the key of A major and showcases a recurring chord progression in its verse consisting of F#m, E/G#, and A.

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“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys employs a series of chord progressions that echo the rising tension and resolution in the song’s narrative. The song is primarily in the key of D minor, with moments of temporary modulation, which allows for colorful and unexpected harmonies to emerge. This harmonic and melodic complexity is one of the defining characteristics of Brian Wilson’s writing style, highlighting his ability to push the boundaries of pop music.

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The Beatles – The Long And Winding Road – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘Bm’, ‘Gsus2/A’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘Gmaj7’, ‘G’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘Em’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘Em’, ‘A’, ‘D’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
B Minor (ii)
G suspended 2 / A, which functions as an A11 (V11)
D Major (I)
D Dominant 7 (I7)
G Major (IV)
G Major 7 (IVmaj7)
G Major again (IV)
F# Minor (iii)
B Minor repeating (ii)
E Minor (ii in the key of D Major, representing modal interchange from D minor)
A Major (V)
D Major repeating (I)
D Dominant 7 repeating (I7)
G Major repeating (IV)
F# Minor repeating (iii)
B Minor repeating (ii)
E Minor repeating (ii with modal interchange from D minor)
A Major repeating (V)
D Major repeating (I)
“`
Please note that while not traditionally diatonic to D Major, the E minor and A11 chords can be explained through modal interchange and dominant function respectively.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen has a similar feel, using a mix of diatonic chords and borrowed chords. Here’s the progression for the verse:

“`
C Major (I)
A Minor (vi)
C Major repeating (I)
A Minor repeating (vi)
F Major (IV)
G Major (V)
C Major (I)
G Major (V)
“`

2. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley also features a rich, emotive chord progression:

“`
C Major (I)
Em/B (iii/V)
Am (vi)
Am/G (vi)
F Major (IV)
C Major (I)
F Major (IV)
G Major (V)
Ab Major (bVI, a borrowed chord from C minor)
C Major (I)
E7 (III7, a secondary dominant targeting Am)
A Minor (vi)
“`

Please note that while these progressions aren’t identical to “The Long and Winding Road,” they exhibit a related sense of journey and contain similar elements such as secondary dominants and borrowed chords.

Musical Analysis

“The Long and Winding Road” is typified by chord progressions that strike an intriguing balance between satisfying resolution and mild tension. The progression creates a push-and-pull effect via the use of dominant resolutions to unexpected chords (e.g., the resolution of the D7 to the Gmaj7 or G). There’s this masterful manipulation of tonal expectations that is a hallmark of The Beatles’ compositions.

Overall Analysis

“The Long and Winding Road” by The Beatles is an iconic pop ballad renowned for its rich harmonic content. It employs both modal interchange and secondary dominants, thus securing its place as an exemplary piece in pop music harmony. Its dominant tonality is D Major, however, it makes use of many borrowed chords.

Style Analysis

The Beatles are known for their unique blend of pop and rock with elements of classical music, which is reflected in this progression. This blending of styles redefined what was possible in popular music and made them one of the most influential bands in the history of popular music. The use of sophisticated music theory concepts such as modal interchange and secondary dominants helped them to keep their music innovative and unpredictable.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of The Long And Winding Road by The Beatles are:

[‘Bm’, ‘Gsus2/A’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘Gmaj7’, ‘G’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘Em’, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘D7’, ‘G’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘Em’, ‘A’, ‘D’]