Simple Changes, Elegant Harmony

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 3 Feb 2007 8:00 am

Out of nowhere, I had the Beatles "I'll Follow The Sun" running through my head for most of a day last week at work. Away from any instruments, I was frustrated that I just couldn't find the second chord in my head (I'm usually better than that!) and it was so surprising to me---I love Lennon/McCartney but I don't expect impenetrable changes (although Paul sure had some nice stuff..... Michelle, eg.).
When I got home it didn't take long to find the chord and realize that I was right--nothing from Mars about the changes. But somehow the results are above & beyond and far greater than the sum of the chords. That F7 and the melodic harmonies it supports sound so outside of the simple pop box. Brilliant.

[tab]
G F7 C D7
One day you'll look to see I've gone

C Am D7 G C
For tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun[/tab]

There are loads of simple examples of this sort of thing in pop music.

Whatcha got?

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 3 Feb 2007 9:11 am

And the chorus is typical Lennon, with his trademark minor

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 4 Feb 2007 2:37 pm

Can't think of any examples at the moment, but the "how" of what was done in "I'll Follow The Sun" is fascinating. You'd swear after the first measure that the song's in G, and that the melody of "one day" falls on the 5 and the 1 of the home key's scale-- it's hard to hear it as the 2 and 5. No wonder the 2nd chord is slippery-- you're already in the middle of some harmonic bait-and-switch. In the 3rd measure the song "lands" in C.....So the song begins with a V/IV7(!)/I/II7 progression, sort of unorthodox but through some savvy alchemy there's a great melody made richer by the harmonic misdirection at the start.
Hm...

Bob Ritter · Post by **Bob Ritter** » 4 Feb 2007 3:50 pm

I havent played the melody yet but I would say the song is in the key of C..I dont see any other key for the 1625 change in the 2nd line there..Who cares really such a beauitiful song.

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 4 Feb 2007 5:12 pm

Bob-- Without a doubt, the song is in the key of C. The thought I was trying to express was this: for the first couple of chords it SOUNDS LIKE it's in G (at least to me). As I said, By the 3rd measure it "lands" in C, meaning this is the first point in the song where the real home key is tipped off IMO. But the way the song starts (with this harmonic fake-out) makes the F7 that Jon's talking about an especially clever choice. Not everyone may hear it this way, I realize.....

Bob Ritter · Post by **Bob Ritter** » 4 Feb 2007 5:37 pm

I just love the Beatles....Revolver just kills me how good that album is.

i

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 4 Feb 2007 5:48 pm

"I'll Follow the Sun" lays out real good on the e9. thanks jon!

here's some nice solo acoustic renditions of 'Revolver' tunes on youtube:

I Want To Tell You
Got To Get You Into My Life

and one more:
Yes It Is

Bob Ritter · Post by **Bob Ritter** » 4 Feb 2007 5:55 pm

those are awsome videos..who does that pixker think he is Chet Atkins...Bravo.

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 5 Feb 2007 5:37 am

Here is an analysis of the song from somewhat of a musicologist's point of view.

If you read the rest of Alan's work you'll realize that L&M had an uncanny knack for harmonic misdirection and musical humor, all while being classically untrained. The difference between craft and genius.