Beatles’ Four Songs from Revolver:
All Songs
BACKGROUND
- The Beatles: British rock band who revolutionised pop music in the 60s.
- Early influences: Rhythm and blues performers like Chuck Berry
- Revolver: Had developed own unique style
↪ influenced by:
1. Indian classical music
2. Avant-garde techniques (musique concrete)
3. Psychedelic rock.
- Their producer George Martin had classical training which could be seen in
musical arrangements.
- Studio techniques employed were groundbreaking.
- Many lyrics were written under influence of LSD and inspired by Eastern
philosophy.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- Psychedelic rock influence
- Indian classical music influence
- Musique concrete influence
- Studio techniques
- Singer-songwriter styles.
Unconventional elements in pop genre
, Eleanor Rigby
STRUCTURE
Point Explanation Reference(s)
8 Bar Intro, 3 verses + Outro
VERSES:
- Each verse consists of main
section with unusual 10 bar
length, followed by 8 bar refrain
- 10 bars of main verse
section are divided into 2, 5 bar
phrases, extra bar contains 1
bar vocal phrase
OUTRO:
- Outro combines elements of
intro + refrain
- Extended by further bar with
short concluding phrase for
strings
MELODY
Point Explanation Reference(s)
Diatonic, in Dorian mode on E
Backing vocals in flattened 6th C
natural Aeolian mode
Ambiguity between melody +
accompaniment adds to “sad” feel
Descending sequential
, HARMONY
Point Explanation Reference(s)
Just 2 chords used throughout song
- C + Eminor
Harmonic rhythm = SLOW
Refrain made up of single chords of
Eminor
Chromatically descending viola adds
dissonance
Vocal part frequently adds mild
dissonance
TONALITY
Point Explanation Reference(s)
Verse is diatonic in Dorian mode on E
Backing Vocals in Aeolian mode
TEXTURE
Point Explanation Reference(s)
In general, strings play simple block
chords
Intro = staccato accentuated
Chords more sustained elsewhere
Cellos generally play
repeated/sustained notes
- In last verse cellos double voice
4 bar repeated descending chromatic
phrases in semibreves in chorus
Strings play occasional phrases to fill
between vocal lines
Violin 1 part echoes final phrase of
refrains
All Songs
BACKGROUND
- The Beatles: British rock band who revolutionised pop music in the 60s.
- Early influences: Rhythm and blues performers like Chuck Berry
- Revolver: Had developed own unique style
↪ influenced by:
1. Indian classical music
2. Avant-garde techniques (musique concrete)
3. Psychedelic rock.
- Their producer George Martin had classical training which could be seen in
musical arrangements.
- Studio techniques employed were groundbreaking.
- Many lyrics were written under influence of LSD and inspired by Eastern
philosophy.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- Psychedelic rock influence
- Indian classical music influence
- Musique concrete influence
- Studio techniques
- Singer-songwriter styles.
Unconventional elements in pop genre
, Eleanor Rigby
STRUCTURE
Point Explanation Reference(s)
8 Bar Intro, 3 verses + Outro
VERSES:
- Each verse consists of main
section with unusual 10 bar
length, followed by 8 bar refrain
- 10 bars of main verse
section are divided into 2, 5 bar
phrases, extra bar contains 1
bar vocal phrase
OUTRO:
- Outro combines elements of
intro + refrain
- Extended by further bar with
short concluding phrase for
strings
MELODY
Point Explanation Reference(s)
Diatonic, in Dorian mode on E
Backing vocals in flattened 6th C
natural Aeolian mode
Ambiguity between melody +
accompaniment adds to “sad” feel
Descending sequential
, HARMONY
Point Explanation Reference(s)
Just 2 chords used throughout song
- C + Eminor
Harmonic rhythm = SLOW
Refrain made up of single chords of
Eminor
Chromatically descending viola adds
dissonance
Vocal part frequently adds mild
dissonance
TONALITY
Point Explanation Reference(s)
Verse is diatonic in Dorian mode on E
Backing Vocals in Aeolian mode
TEXTURE
Point Explanation Reference(s)
In general, strings play simple block
chords
Intro = staccato accentuated
Chords more sustained elsewhere
Cellos generally play
repeated/sustained notes
- In last verse cellos double voice
4 bar repeated descending chromatic
phrases in semibreves in chorus
Strings play occasional phrases to fill
between vocal lines
Violin 1 part echoes final phrase of
refrains
