Something Chords
The Beatles
Something by The Beatles is in the key of C Major. Chord progression: I–Imaj7–V7/IV–IV–V7/V–V–vi–vi(maj7)–I/5–V7/V–IV–bIII–V–I.
Abbey Road (1969)
George Harrison
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Chord Sheet
Chords Used
Progression by Section
Bridge
Verse
Chord Diagrams
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At a glance
- Key
- C Major
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Main progression
- I–Imaj7–V7/IV–IV–V7/V–V–vi–vi(maj7)–I/5–V7/V–IV–bIII–V–I
- Chords used
- A · Amaj7 · F#m · D · G · C · Cmaj7 · C7 · F · D7 · Am · Ab+
Summary
Widely regarded as one of the greatest love songs ever written, 'Something' was George Harrison's first A-side single and a Billboard chart-topper. The track features a lush production blending bluesy guitar leads, melodic basslines, and a sweeping orchestral arrangement.
Musical Analysis
Something is a masterpiece of harmonic sophistication, blending traditional Tin Pan Alley 'line clichés' with rock modal interchange. The song's most distinctive feature is the bridge modulation to A major, which provides a bright, lifting contrast to the more…
History
George Harrison began writing the song in September 1968 during the recording sessions for the 'White Album'. He utilized an empty studio at EMI to work out the melody on a piano. Initially, he felt the song was too simple and even considered giving it to Jack…
“Frank Sinatra frequently covered the song, calling it 'the greatest love song of the past 50 years', though he often mistakenly introduced it as a Lennon-McCartney composition.”
Full musical analysis
Something is a masterpiece of harmonic sophistication, blending traditional Tin Pan Alley 'line clichés' with rock modal interchange. The song's most distinctive feature is the bridge modulation to A major, which provides a bright, lifting contrast to the more melancholic, chromatic C major verse. The use of the Eb (bIII) in the turnaround is a classic Harrison signature, creating a sense of unexpected but smooth resolution.
George Harrison began writing the song in September 1968 during the recording sessions for the 'White Album'. He utilized an empty studio at EMI to work out the melody on a piano. Initially, he felt the song was too simple and even considered giving it to Jackie Lomax or Joe Cocker before the Beatles recorded it for Abbey Road.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest love songs ever written, 'Something' was George Harrison's first A-side single and a Billboard chart-topper. The track features a lush production blending bluesy guitar leads, melodic basslines, and a sweeping orchestral arrangement.
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Song DNA
Genre
Rock
Era
60s
Mood
Romantic
Tempo
Ballad
Key
Major
Texture
Orchestral
Sound
Guitar-driven
Feel
Straight
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Statistics
7.4M
Plays
976K
Listeners
1.4M
Genius Views
8
Annotations
100%
Popularity
3:04
Duration
4/4
Time
Credits
Written by
Produced by
From the album Abbey Road