the "Eight Days a Week" chord progression

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The chord progression of I II IV I appears often enough in Beatle-penned songs that I think of it very much as a "Beatlish" chord progression. This bright string of major chords offers a really intriguing blend of tonalities and has been put to work by many great songwriters.
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0:00 Introduction
0:37 The Beatles
2:18 Other songs that use the progression
3:40 Video game music
4:20 Studio Session & Competition
5:38 the major II chord
6:25 Lydian modal mixture
7:36 Secondary dominant
9:38 Voice leading
11:19 piano outro/Patreon

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Sign-up for Session Studio free today and receive your promo code for a FREE 45GB of extra cloud storage if you join using my link: bit.ly/davidbennett 🎤 NOTE: the SongDrop competition has now closed. Thank you to everybody who submitted entries!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

@@rightrob555 bloody hell Liam, it was just a joke 😂

[@rightrob555]

@@DavidBennettPiano ok

[@rightrob555]

@@DavidBennettPiano 😂 ok I love your videos

[@mistabaconhair8994]

Ain’t falling for that

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

@@DavidBennettPiano What did Queen's _"In the Lap of the Gods (revisited...)"_ use? {:o:O:}

[@unacuentadeyoutube13]

2:48 "Of course, this chord progression hasn't just been used by The Beatles and The Beatles Tribute Act" Savage.

[@EmmaPeelman]

Quite funny, though...

[@AeronKabutoBlade]

Mr Bennett has a clear horse in the race and it ain't the Tribute Act. :)

[@unacuentadeyoutube13]

@@EmmaPeelman no doubt lol

[@BenZaniline]

Harsh, perhaps, but true... 😄

[@marienbad2]

Perfectly savage tbf.

[@gabe_s_videos]

True story: a few days ago, I was jamming on my uke and really enjoyed the way it sounded when I slid the D chord shape up a few frets. I found a couple other chords that went really well together with it, including it's relative minor. I thought "This sounds so good! It must already be a song, but I'm gonna remember it for later in case I can use it." Played it again the next day. It was literally just "Eight Days A Week." That's the struggle of being an aspiring songwriter who's also a total pop music nerd: all of the best songs have already been written, and you know all of them! XD

[@MrRyan2582]

Such a nice and bright chord progression. Never realized how many of the songs I love used it. Always loved All Around The World especially, as they just go and key change everything TWICE.

[@b00ts4ndc4ts]

There's only seven progressions to choose from, so it will pop up now and again.

[@mk_rexx]

In the Philippines, this became a popular thing to learn by beginner guitar players because of a hit song by a Eraserheads, a very influential band here. Specifically, it is played by shifting the G chord shape to different positions

[@meguy9811]

May I ask what song?

[@mk_rexx]

@@meguy9811 Huling El Bimbo

[@isolehommemisreable]

Ang Huling El Bimbo is such a master piece, in my opinion, the easiest Eraserheads song to be played in the guitar. This song is also the most well known Eraserheads song

[@Kylzee]

they also use a very similar progression on their song Torpedo. it goes C D Dm C, or I - II - ii - I. the minor ii (Dm) chord is very similar to the IV so it's closely related

[@carlojoshuacrisanto9598]

Also "Bulong" by Kitchie Nadal

[@zbr76]

As a Queen nerd, I really should have realised this was also the 'Kind of Magic' progression! Also, that shade thrown at 2:32 and 2:49 was marvellous!

[@PeterNash99]

Need your loving tonight has also the Eight Days a Week melody

[@mikepro500]

10:50 Ooh la lala ooh la lala 🎶 Ooh la lala ooh la lala🎵

[@CYLITM]

I've been looking for this chord progression for years. It seems like it's everywhere.

[@BillyLeeGoodman]

I love that you refered to them as The Beatles tribute act

[@noscrubbubblez6515]

You just reminded me how Paul's baseline to 'YouWon't See Me' is by far the best ever played -of any song. I've heard many fail to reproduce it.

[@tweettweetjones1262]

Hey, check out Anne Murray's cover of 'You Won't See Me'. I think it's better than the Beatle version. (The bass and them voices give goosebumps!)

[@noscrubbubblez6515]

@@tweettweetjones1262 I'm sorry, Anne Murray's bass was semi fuzz-tone. What I heard was horrid.

[@tweettweetjones1262]

@@noscrubbubblez6515 Chicago do a version of it too with the chromatic and walking bass-lines closer to Paul's I think. U-tube has a video. 👍

[@scabbarae]

I love using the major II in songwriting. Thanks for elaborating on why it works so well!

[@calebbean1384]

It even sounds good in minor keys, it gives a Hungarian minor inflection with the sharp eleven

[@ok-ug7ul]

major III is pretty cool too

[@scabbarae]

@@ok-ug7ul Yeah, but harder to pull off unless you're writing a bridge or something. I always think of "Creep" any time I find myself playing a major III.

[@pulykamell]

I’ve always loved this progression . Also sounds great over a tonic pedal.

[@juanjimenez62]

Even you can spice it a bit: I-IIadd9-IVmaj7-I.

[@devidwobinson8747]

Bla bla bla

[@StevenMix]

It was used on Pokemon Diamond and Pearl soundtrack, specifically the "welcome to the world of Pokemon" track 😊

[@bekiigic]

Beatles tribute act 🤣

[@villadavid164]

Beatles were a vapid pop boy band till they travelled america and ran off with much of Californian hippie culture all the way to the bank

[@empresaglova1268]

🤣🤣

[@samulihirsi]

The best ever

[@gavincarper]

Oasis sounded more like T-Rex and The Stone Roses more than they ever sounded like The Beatles lol. They were big fans and had similar haircuts but eh

[@DriamAyalay]

Sing me something new

[@samcoleman605]

Very obscure example, but Old Red Eyes is Back by Beautiful South uses this progression.

[@ChrisOwenGuitar]

“Old red eyes is back” uses this progression too. Great video.

[@cakemartyr5794]

That's a really good song. Would be good to see some of their material featured here

[@arklowrockz]

That Ben Folds LP is an absolutely cracker which everyone should own. "Still Fighting It" is on another level altogether

[@tsunderecat413]

a couple more examples i could think of include "dance of the clefairy" from the second generation of pokémon and the chorus for "love makes the world go round" from the powerpuff girls. such a versatile progression.

[@gabe_s_videos]

The first three songs in that montage of all the non-Beatles or Beatles-wannabe songs are three of my all time favorite songs.

[@althealligator1467]

What so Oasis isn't good? Lol

[@gabe_s_videos]

​@@althealligator1467 Can't fucking stand them. Noel Gallagher is a douche. And the music sucks too.

[@nigelhaywood9753]

It was reminding me of that song from the end of The Dark Side of the Moon. I think it uses these chords in the chorus. It's a great chord progression. Thank you.

[@stephendonovan9084]

Brain Damage, yes, under the chorus it’s G A7 C G. Also surprised it wasn’t mentioned

[@mikeg9b]

Thank you!!! I was being driven crazy because I remembered hearing this progression in a Pink Floyd song but couldn't find it.

[@Carlos-ln8fd]

The Beatles tribute act lol

[@alnitaka]

I note that if you make all the chords minor, you get the progression featured in the theme from Blade Runner by Vangelis.

[@AeronKabutoBlade]

A song that comes to mind with this progression is The Eraserheads' Ang Huling El Bimbo. Though they use a II7 rather than a standard II, it still fits I guess.

[@therealshavenyak]

I’ve always referred to it as the “Hot Patootie, Bless My Soul” progression; I think that was the first song I learned to play that used it.

[@anthonymcdibble9496]

Love your work dude. "Beatles tribute act" = hilarious.

[@peach_total]

10:50 this is my favourite iteration of this progression. it changes the feeling from peppy and energetic to a kind of warm nostalgia with just a drop of sadness/wistfulness

[@jacksonsay37]

The Beatles had some really awesome chord progressions! It is quite interesting how "Eleanor Rigby" has a dorian melody but an aeolian progression. They also used the mixolydian mode quite a lot. You've mentioned quite a few of those songs already, but some that you haven't mentioned are "I Feel Fine", "Paperback Writer", and "Get Back".

[@zzzaphod8507]

Thank you for including the beautiful voice leading A-Gsharp-G-Fsharp in the discussion at the end. That chromatic line is a great way of providing more "musical logic" to tie the chords together. It's possible someone at some point started with the chromatic line first and then decided to have the major version of the II chord to support the chromatic line.... The piece at the end is pretty--thanks for that as well

[@Mrbeahz1]

In the "Voice Leading" section, your example of the top note descending chromatically reminded me of another oldie: "Atlantis" by Donovan. He adds a V afterwards: I II IV I V I

[@blazingaqua9127]

I really like this chord progression, the major 2 has such an uplifting feel. I've also seen it where you can mix this with the minor plagal cadence so its I, II, iv, I and that sounds really nice. I think that's what muse does on the verse to Kill or be Killed

[@King4taday]

I think this might be my favorite outro song you’ve made. That sweet Lydian sound pops ❤

[@leafbelly]

As a songwriter, this was always my favorite progression. I love it because of the ability to start on the fifth and descend chromatically through the chord progression. I love that.

[@thumbgoblin4716]

This has always been the Sims 4 chord progression to me

[@judih.8754]

The ending melody you played had the sound of "Atlantis" by Donovan in it. All around great video!

[@JTGaughan]

Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous by Good Charlotte is another one! Great video David. Never miss.

[@theamazing39]

"Satellite of Love" by Lou Reed deserves a mention here.

[@papapocky420]

Just a suggestion but one of my favourite "novelty" chord movments in modern pop has been songs that use progressions that start on the IV and end on the V. Some examples being IV-I-vi-V or IV-I-V or even one of my favourites, IV-vi-V to give it that minor key edge.

[@EddieReischl]

The Faces "Stay with Me" was the first song I thought of when thinking about that progression. Good video.

[@EmmaPeelman]

Same here...

[@swingingbunny3550]

In "You Won't See Me" there's A->B7->D->A, Which makes a single tone stays the same (A) all along the chords

[@RugbyLeaguePassport]

The harmonies in the School of rock song perfectly show what you’re explaining at 10:50

[@jorgedelosriossanz1523]

Fantastic!

[@seanspartan2023]

Love the Beatles videos 😎

[@RRM_Personal]

Immediately thought about Rooftop Run when you first played the progression! So glad to see it included!

[@PaulPower4]

I was so happy to see Rooftop Run in there :D. The part at 10:50 also very much reminded me of 0:25 in Rooftop Run Classic. Metropolis Zone also uses this progression, for reference.

[@Starter61]

I loved the improvisation @11:20.

[@fredhystair5789]

Always great !

[@Goat_boi]

i remember this video came out during my music exam. me and my friend knew what to say when we saw the thumbnail. the legendary line "SANS"

[@juliam7056]

Awsome videos . Great work !

[@FriskDrinksBrisk]

3:47 thank you ill be here all week 24/8

[@adrianbiber5340]

Beautiful lullaby at the end thank you

[@mmypainting]

Thanks for shining a light on this one.🙏

[@wolfrayet25music_official]

I made a slight variation on this progression. This time though the tonic chord is a minor chord. Making it: i - II - IV - i In the key of F# Minor it would be: F#m - G# - B - F#m It has an exotic sound to it.

[@empresaglova1268]

Very interesting !!

[@nigelhaywood9753]

Nice, Dorian sound.

[@ashlynnfoxx]

This progression definitely has a sonic kind of vibe to me, I wasn't surprised to see a sonic track mentioned in the video

[@Rene-uz3eb]

I can see how it was a favorite for the beatles because they employ a lot of modulations, and I II IV is two consecutive modulations of major second and minor third, while staying mostly in key

[@christinabarnard1066]

Thanks, David. Excellent.

[@adrianhepton9362]

I used to call it the 'whatever gets you through the night' chord progression named after the song by John Lennon. I used it to write a song quite a few years ago and didn't realise that lots of other people have been down the same long and winding road, Including a well-known Beatles tribute band.

[@WhileMyGuineaPigGentlyWheeks]

Cool! Yes I love that song.

[@steelersfan6787]

Favorite series!

[@christopherfryda]

I love this channel!!!

[@barakbalestrery4138]

A new David Bowie video from Rick Beato. Followed by a new Beatles video from David Bennett Piano. My day is complete!

[@TotalMonsense]

Here in the Philippines, there's a band named ERASERHEADS. One of their classic songs is ANG HULING EL BIMBO (The Last El Bimbo, kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5nCYqSOjqmLhZY ), whose intro, stanza, and chorus chords are G-A7-C-G, a I-II(7)-IV-I 😁 (Oh and coincidently, some of us here consider Eraserheads as our Beatles 😁)

[@mason87104]

David you sure are good at spotting interesting chord progressions AND then finding a bunch of songs that use it. I love your analysis too. Thank you for all the effort it takes to do such great videos!

[@Jacktors]

This dude gets it! Thanks bro.

[@mr.nobody2244]

Great video, as always.

[@RavenMadd9]

David thank you for the lesson

[@HenningUhle]

When I heard this chord progression, suddenly a line comes to my mind: "Woke up this morning and the streets were full of cars..." - the first line from "Hello (Turn your Radio on)" by Shakespear's Sister. Such a nice progression. Thank you for this video.

[@jamminggoodwithweirdandgil972]

wait you just made me understand why i’m obsessed with these songs!!! they all share that chord progression!! so cool thank you

[@michaelkonomos]

Very helpful for those of us trying to learn. Thank you!

[@LyricalMiracle9608]

I think because of how common the 8DAW Progression is now, I expect it more naturally than I would if it had been the alternative way you described, like when it was "DEAD" It just sounds better I think Also that ending song, aaa so beautiful 💕

[@marto877]

always a pleasure hear to you teacher and plus about The Beatles ❤️👏🏻

[@jmiki89]

An other way you can think about modality (the way I was thaught back in school) is in the terms of solfage: e.g. D lydian is not a D major scale with an uplifted fourth (do re mi fi so la ti do) but a regular major scale started on its fourth degree (fa so la ti do re mi fa). So it's basically a temporary do-shift to the dominant A major scale, making E major its fifth chord (and thus we are back to the dominant of the dominant, or secondary dominant).

[@letsgobrndon]

классно, very well done. simple but true!

[@davidozab2753]

I like how your piano outro hints hints at Eight Days a Week at first, but then wanders off on its own path.y

[@zarko1982]

The outro was so beautiful

[@User-ol4dp]

Man you are genius

[@mah38900]

Billy Corgan's favorite progression. So many Smashing Pumpkins songs use this..

[@spongebabe27]

Good to see you using the REO Brothers' covers of Beatles songs, they're absolutely excellent

[@superkraken75]

Hey man ! I watched a lot of your videos till now and I gotta say... This is definitely a huge step in the right direction :D Just love how you take the time to explain the progression and why it works It is so much better than to only give plenty of different examples Congrats and keep it up ! :D

[@easper]

Excellent video (as always)! During the voice leading demo, I was reminded of Pulp's "Do You Remember The First Time."

[@avedic]

I love this channel and watch everything you put out. But.....these chord progression videos? For whatever reason....they're hands down my favorite. I think it's because it combines basic theory with real world examples in real time. You grasp the idea....and then hear it in action, and hear the similarity across different expressions. It's fun and informative and inspiring. And you do such a good job breaking it all down. Thanks! :)

[@positivegradient]

Beautiful composition at the end, really so tastefully Lydian ❤❤

[@Veni_Vidi_Vortice]

You forgot to mention the "Crossroads" TV theme music but finished by playing a variation of it at the end of the video.

[@NeonSewer]

I'm halfway through watching the video and was wondering if it was another example.

[@adamlindsley1143]

Really lovely outro number there, David.

[@Culmen222]

3:17 Actually A Kind Of Magic is my all time favorite song 😃 Thanks for the analysis 👍

[@composer7325]

excellent video, thank you, David.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks Peter 😊😊

[@maximvoronkov9418]

Always loved this sound, especially in A Kind of Magic and a lot of Robbie Williams and Kate Tunstall songs, but also this bright chord is used by Abba a lot, and of course this all started with jazz.

[@cakemartyr5794]

A really good video again, thank you. To expand on your later bit, wondered if you could talk more about which inversions are the most appropriate ones in a given tune.

[@eyeloop1618]

So sad you didn't talk about Brain Damage by Pink Floyd. That song uses this progression in D with a D pedal and for the chorus it mantains the progression but it modulates to G. It's a super interesting example of this progression

[@feliciab2]

Very cool that you used School of Rock as an example, and I suppose you noticed that, not only does it use the chord progression, but it also uses the descending top note pattern you demonstrated at 11:09 in the melody the backing singers sing in the chorus. I couldn’t resist singing along as you played “Ooh lalalala, ooh lalalala, ooh lalalala, ooh lalalala”😀

[@RyanAlbuquerque]

the velvet underground também usou muito essa progressão em várias e várias músicas

[@carlossantos689]

Sim! Eu sempre penso nessa progressão como "progressão Lou Reed"

[@fuckian]

@@carlossantos689 satellite of love!!!!

[@rakusin]

En Who Loves The Sun pensé que lo usaba pero es I - II - V - I😊

[@TigerRogers0660]

Another great video David!! I was never quite sure if the 2nd chord of "Eight Days A Week" was a minor or major.

[@Fortaker900]

That ending piece sounds like a piano version of the last fight by velvet revolver

[@markpeam8549]

Great video. It definitely sounds bright but almost "musical-theatre happy", so I tend towards the iv instead of IV.

[@kaitlyn__L]

For me this is definitely the “It’s a Kind of Magic” progression :) but that’s all about everyone’s own personal music history 😊 I didn’t quite twig it when you played the Beatles examples but it was super familiar, then when you played It’s a Kind of Magic I went “YES! That’s it”

[@NomeDeArte]

Great song!

[@deschain-music]

Immediately heard "Hello" of "Shakespears Sister" in my head.

[@mb10mb10]

Thanks David for your interesting and clear lesson, as usual. I think Procol Harum's Homburg is a good example of "lead voice independent motion" for this progression.

[@JCO2002]

When you changed it the descending A-G#-G-F, I suddenly realized why I was so confused trying to figure the song out on my guitar years ago. Many thanks.

[@NickOleksiakMusic]

Rooftop Run is such a classic 👌

[@diepy2]

Nice!

[@JesseDCrespo]

Came for the Beatles discussion, stayed for the Oasis bashing 🤣

[@choiboi09]

Great job avoiding copyright claims.