Borrowed chords are a fascinating aspect of music harmony, allowing composers and songwriters to add color, tension, and surprise to their progressions. This list explores some of the most iconic songs that incorporate these chords, serving musicians, students, and music enthusiasts eager to understand and incorporate borrowed chords into their own work.
1. The Beatles – “Yesterday”
In “Yesterday,” Paul McCartney employs a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key — specifically, the use of a G minor chord in a predominantly major context. This subtle shift adds a touch of melancholy and emotional depth, demonstrating how a simple borrowed chord can profoundly impact mood. Its delicate harmony is a masterclass in understated emotional expression.
2. Beethoven – “Moonlight Sonata” (First Movement)
Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” features a prominent use of borrowed chords, especially the use of the Neapolitan chord (a lowered second degree) in the key of C-sharp minor. This chord creates a dramatic tension that enhances the piece’s haunting quality. It exemplifies how classical composers used borrowed chords to evoke emotion and drama.
3. The Rolling Stones – “Brown Sugar”
“Brown Sugar” uses a borrowed chord from the Mixolydian mode — the flattened seventh chord (Eb major in the key of D). This gives the song its gritty, bluesy feel and a sense of modal mixture that energizes the groove. The borrowed chord contributes to the song’s rebellious and raw sound, making it instantly recognizable.
4. Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Within “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Freddie Mercury employs several borrowed chords, including the use of a B major chord in a mostly minor context. These chords add unexpected color and help transition between sections seamlessly. Their use creates a sense of theatricality and complexity that defines the song’s unique style.
5. Miles Davis – “So What”
Although primarily modal, “So What” features borrowed chords that add harmonic interest, such as the use of the D minor 7 chord borrowed from the D Dorian mode. This technique enriches the modal jazz sound, providing subtle harmonic shifts that keep the listener engaged without traditional chord progressions.
6. Bob Dylan – “Blowin’ in the Wind”
Dylan’s classic song features a borrowed IV chord from the parallel minor (F minor in the key of C), adding a layer of poignancy and depth to its simple folk progression. This use of borrowed chords enhances the song’s reflective and somber tone, demonstrating how minimal harmonic complexity can be powerful.
7. Chopin – Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2
Chopin’s nocturnes frequently utilize borrowed chords, and in this piece, the use of the Neapolitan chord (F minor in the key of E-flat major) creates a rich, expressive sound. The chord’s unexpected arrival heightens emotional intensity, showcasing how Romantic composers used borrowed harmony for expressive effect.
8. The Beach Boys – “God Only Knows”
This song is renowned for its complex harmony, including the use of a borrowed chord from the minor key — notably, the use of an F minor chord in a predominantly major context. This chromaticism provides a lush, poignant quality that elevates the song’s emotional resonance. Brian Wilson’s innovative use of borrowed chords helped redefine popular music harmony.
9. Joni Mitchell – “Both Sides Now”
Mitchell incorporates borrowed chords such as the flattened sixth (a Bb chord in the key of C) to evoke a sense of wistfulness and reflection. These chords contribute to the song’s lyrical themes of ambiguity and change, illustrating how harmonic choices can mirror emotional content.
10. Debussy – “Clair de Lune”
Debussy’s impressionist masterpiece features extensive use of borrowed chords, including modal mixture and the use of the augmented sixth chord, which adds a shimmering, dreamy quality. These harmonic devices create a sense of fluidity and ambiguity, characteristic of Impressionist music, making the piece timeless and evocative.
How to Choose
When selecting borrowed chords for your composition or arrangement, consider the emotional tone you wish to evoke. Think about the modal or tonal context—borrowing from a parallel minor or modal key can add color and tension. Pay attention to voice leading; smooth transitions between borrowed and diatonic chords ensure coherence. Ultimately, choose chords that serve the mood and narrative of your piece, and experiment to find what resonates best.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a borrowed chord? A borrowed chord is a chord taken from a parallel key or mode and used within a different key to add color or tension.
- Why do composers use borrowed chords? To create emotional contrast, add harmonic interest, or evoke specific moods that aren’t possible with diatonic chords alone.
- Are borrowed chords common in pop music? Yes, many pop and rock songs incorporate borrowed chords to add richness and emotional depth, as seen in songs by The Beatles and Queen.
- Can borrowed chords be used in improvisation? Absolutely. Musicians can incorporate borrowed chords into solos or modal improvisations to add color and surprise.
- How do I identify a borrowed chord? Look for chords that don’t belong naturally within the key; they often have unexpected accidentals or are borrowed from a parallel mode or key.
Final Thoughts
Borrowed chords are a powerful tool in the composer’s palette, capable of transforming simple progressions into emotionally compelling music. From classical masterpieces to modern hits, their use adds color, tension, and surprise. By understanding how iconic songs employ these chords, musicians can experiment confidently, enriching their harmonic language and expressive potential.
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