The Key To Lennon

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:12 am

For those who perform Beatles' songs it is no secret that a key to the magic of Lennon lies, at least in part, in his usage of the key of G.

Whether this is based on Lennon's vocal range or his usage of the key during his formative guitar-playing years is not known to me. Nonetheless, both Lennon and Lennon and McCartney relied on G, frequently and for good reason. It seems to have held some magic for Lennon as he put it to very good use.

In looking at the Beatles' number one hits, one-third were written in the key of G and included Love Me Do I Want To Hold Your Hand She Loves You A Hard Day's Night I Feel Fine Paperback Writer Eleanor Rigby All You Need Is LoveIf your forgive the drop tuning, "Yesterday" is also played in G and raises the count to 9 out of 27 hits on the Beatles' One CD.

Before simply jumping to the conclusion that Lennon wrote many Beatles' songs and just preferred G, a quick look at the roughly 213 recordings released reveals that only 14 percent were written in this key by the Fab Four. Yet 33 percent of their top hits were written in the key of G.

Honourable mention goes to other songs that were written in G that were great songs but lesser hits Blackbird Cry Baby Cry A Day In The Life Got To Get You Into My Life Here There And Everywhere I Don't Want To Spoil The Party I'll Cry Instead I'm A Loser I'm Down I Should Have Known Better You've Got To Hide Your Love Away You Can't Do That Think For Yourself You Like Me Too Much P.S. I Love You Rain Not A Second Time Tell Me What You See Two Of UsWhile not complete, that is the lion's share.

So is there something magic about the key of G and Lennon in particular and the Beatles' in general? Do were prefer this key because of its full sound, our ability to sing along, or the suspended quality of the chord formations such as in "Rain", the captivating rhythm 12 string in "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" or the transitions from G to Bm used so skillfully by Lennon.

While I will be the first to say that I am guilty of over analysis when it comes to Beatles' songs, I am interested in your comments. Was this just random writing on Lennon and McCartney's part or is there something soulful and inherent in the use of this key? "G" I'm not sure. I do know, however, that the sum of the parts here is greater than the whole.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:41 am

Interesting observation, Peter. While I can't offer any deep analytic reason for the use of G in a vast majority of Lennon's songs, or McCartneys, I can give you my simplest answer. I find G a great 'comfort' chord for the origin of a song, especially when it comes to vocal range and melody, at least in my case. Wether, Lennon or McCartney worked on a similar premise is obviously up for debate. And I agree with the soulfulness of the key. Nearly ever song the Stones did in their early years was in G. They were definitely soulful.
BTW, I believe Help is in A, isn't it?

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:08 am

Help is indeed in A Stan. Thanks for the Help on this one. I will amend the original text. I agree with your comments on the comfortable feeling and the soulful nature of the G chord.

revolver323 · Post by **revolver323** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:31 am

You can play so many chords from that position, I think it's natural to use G as a starting point (bear in mind, I'm a bass player). G, C, D & you've got just about any Top 40 song from the '60s. C, Am, F & G and you've got just about any ballad from the '50s. F to Am and you've got Neil Young.

craviola990 · Post by **craviola990** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 5:25 am

"I'm only sleeping" is in Ebm; was it done in Em (Acoustic guitar) tuned down 1/2 half step? Thanks! Christian

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 5:27 am

I think you're right, Christian. It was in EM tuned down one semitone.

craviola990 · Post by **craviola990** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 5:33 am

Songs in A that come to mind are "I need you", "Help!", "I'm so tired", "I've just seen a face", I've got a feeling", "If I needed someone", "Get Back", "Ticket to ride", "Here comes the sun", and of course the greatest song EVER WRITTEN, "In my life"!!. "She said, she said" is somewhere between A and Bb; I think John's guitar is capoed at the 3rd with a G voicing? Sound right guys? Thanks, Christian

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:01 am

If I Needed Someone and Here Comes the Sun are in A, but Harrison played both songs with a capo on the 7th fret.

Sort of taken this thread off the intended path, sorry, Peter.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:04 am

Christian: Good point. Lennon made good use of the capo. For the songs in the key of A played using a first position G fingering I suspect his capo was on the second fret.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:05 am

All is fair when it comes to interpreting Beatle songs Stan. The more thoughts, the better.

craviola990 · Post by **craviola990** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:27 am

Yeah, "Someone" was taken directly from The Byrds "Bells of rhymney". Told Derek Taylor, "Give this to McGuinn, and tell him I wrote it base on "Bells"! Great stuff. Christian

craviola990 · Post by **craviola990** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:29 am

I THINK the acoustic in "Nowhere Man" is capoed at the second, and played in D (As is "Norwegian Wood"), but the live Hamburg show in '66 suggests open E on his Casino. Christian

craviola990 · Post by **craviola990** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:34 am

"I'm looking through you" is in Ab, capoed at the first, "Long, Long, Long" (Arguably the most beautiful, and VERY UNDERATED Beatles song is capo 3, G voicing). "Girl" is capo 8 (Cm with Em voicing) I find that "Michelle" sounds best capo 4, played with a C voicing. Christian

craviola990 · Post by **craviola990** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:38 am

Although it's not done this way (After watching David Frost to prove it!) I find that "Hey Jude" sounds GREAT capo 4 for John's rythym, using a D voicing. That funky Eb in the fadeout becomes a C, and you can use really cool "McGuinnish" voicings here that make the 7:06 more enjoyable to play! Christian

craviola990 · Post by **craviola990** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:39 am

What about "Revolution #9?! Qb minor!! Christian