The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Chorus 1
While My Guitar Gently Weeps < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘A’, ‘C#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘E’, ‘Esus4’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘C#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘E’, ‘Esus4’, ‘E’]
Chord Progression Analysis
A (I) -> C#m (iii) -> F#m (vi) -> C#m (iii) -> Bm (ii in key of A) -> E (V) -> Esus4 (V) -> E (V) -> Cycle repeats
Please note that Bm is considered a borrowed chord here as it is not diatonic to the key of A.
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Borrowed Chord: Bm (‘ii’ in Key of A)
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Similar Chord Progressions
– “Yesterday” by The Beatles also utilizes interesting chord choices and modal interchange, e.g., [F (I), Em7 (ii in Key of D), A7 (V of D), Dm (vi), Bb (IV in key of F), C (V), etc.].
– “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin uses similar techniques such as modal interchange and unexpected key changes e.g., [Am (i in key of Am), G#dim (vii in Key of A), C (III in key of Am), D (IV), F (VI), Am (I), Am/Maj7 (i), etc.].
Please note that while these songs feature similar harmonic devices, the chords are not exactly the same as in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” The artists have used these techniques according to their own unique compositional styles.
Musical Analysis
This chord progression uses a sequence of tonic, mediant, submediant and dominant chords, which contribute to a melancholic and gloomy yet intriguing musical mood, which fits the lyrical content of the song. The appearance of the suspended chord (Esus4) momentarily heightens the musical tension before its resolution back to the E major chord.
Overall Analysis
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles is in the minor mode and its chord progression showcases rich harmonic content and unexpected key changes, common to The Beatles’ music. Harmonically, it features an interesting mixture of chords from the parallel major and minor keys, which is indicative of modal interchange, a key characteristic of The Beatles’ songwriting.
Style Analysis
The Beatles were renowned for their innovative and eclectic approach to harmony. They often borrowed chords from parallel keys (Modal Interchange) to add color and tension to their progressions, Bm in this case which gets its origin from the parallel minor key of A minor. They weren’t afraid to include chromaticism and non-diatonic chords, which contribute to the unique and distinctive sound of the Beatles.
What are the chords in: The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Chorus 1?
[‘A’, ‘C#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘E’, ‘Esus4’, ‘E’, ‘A’, ‘C#m’, ‘F#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘E’, ‘Esus4’, ‘E’]
