Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a psychedelic rock song often regarded as one of their finest works. It’s innovative from both a melodic and harmonic perspective, using complex chord structures, chromatic touches, and key changes. The song is primarily in the key of E major.

**
The overall use of chords highlights Queen’s blending of rock with more complex harmonic structures, moving beyond simple major & minor chords and incorporating 7th and inversions. Despite its pop/rock surface, “Somebody to Love” includes interesting modulation and chord choices that could be seen as more typical of more ‘classical’ forms of music.

**

The song “I Will” by The Beatles is an example of their unique and sophisticated approach to pop songwriting, demonstrating their comprehensive mastery of harmony within the pop idiom. The majority of the harmonies used in the song are diatonic to the key of C major, however there are several instances of borrowed chords that add color and complexity to the song’s overall harmonic structure.

The Beatles – The Long And Winding Road – Verse 1

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

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’]