I Want to Hold Your Hand (1963)
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IntroductionI Want to Hold Your Hand was a single released in 1963. It is ranked number 2 in the Rolling Stones Magazine list of the top 100 Beatles songs of all time; and is consistently ranked in the top 10 Beatles songs in every formal and informal list. Look below to find out why!
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I Want to Hold Your Hand Music Analysis
If f you do not pay careful attention, this song could easily deceive you into thinking that it is fairly straightforward; and to the average listener, it is. If you take a look at the lyrics, they are extremely repetitive. So although the lyrics are catchy, where is the depth to this song? If you listen closely with a critical musical ear, you will notice several aspects of musical genius that skyrocketed this song to the top of the charts for 15 weeks in 1963:
- Unusual 2-part vocal harmony
- Fresh chord progressions
- Distinct syncopation
- Unique outro
Unusual 2-Part Vocal Harmony
John Lennon is often noted as the lead vocalist in this song because he sings the actual melody, while Paul McCartney sings the harmony right above him. But, if you notice, there’s no actual solo in the song, the song is sung completely in duet. In fact, most of the time the two are singing in unison. Then, they choose very specific times to use harmony. Instead of using the more traditional and over-used 3rds and 6ths that people use in harmony, Lennon and McCartney sang the less traditional 4ths and 5ths. This created a more open sound, a sound that allows the music to blossom. Fresh Chord Progressions You often hear people say that once you have learned four chords on the guitar, you can basically play any rock song because that is just about the full musical substance of those songs. The Beatles, especially in this song, did not live by these four chords. Bob Dylan is even quoted saying that “Their chords are outrageous.” Distinct Syncopation In the very beginning of this song, there is a syncopation that catches you off guard. This phrase is repeated three times and then the tension is increased all the way up to the start of the lyrics. Having a climax this large so early in the song is very unusual and it is what initially draws listeners in. John Lennon was recorded in an interview saying that this off kilter beginning is what inspired the whole song. Without it, there would have been no I Want to Hold Your Hand. Unique Outro The Beatles also paid special attention to the outro, the very end of the song, leaving you with something to remember. Here, they bring out the only triplets in the song, completely altering the continuous flow of the song so far. At this exact point, they deliberately put two whole measures of the IV chord, and eventually V, and then finally, the I, tonic, chord. The whole impression of these last few measures is extremely pent up and delayed gratification. Although there are obviously tonic chords throughout the song, you will notice that they do not really rest on these chords at all, every time it seems like the song is about to rest there, the Beatles veer off into a different direction, keeping the ear on its toes, and propelling the song forward. *** In short, this seemingly simplistic song is saturated in musical hooks. The rhythm in this song is so fast and so tricky that many bands who have tried to cover it could not do it successfully. Only the original Beatles can truly give this song the prophetic quality it deserves. |
I Want to Hold Your Hand
Oh yeah, I'll tell you something I think you'll understand When I'll say that something I wanna hold your hand I wanna hold your hand I wanna hold your hand Oh please, say to me You'll let me be your man And please, say to me You'll let me hold your hand I'll let me hold your hand I wanna hold your hand And when I touch you I feel happy Inside It's such a feeling that my love I can't hide I can't hide I can't hide Yeah, you've got that something I think you'll understand When I'll say that something I wanna hold your hand I wanna hold your hand I wanna hold your hand And when I touch you I feel happy Inside It's such a feeling that my love I can't hide I can't hide I can't hide Yeah, you've got that something I think you'll understand When I'll feel that something I wanna hold your hand I wanna hold your hand I wanna hold your hand I wanna hold your hand |