Parallel minor tonic

Minor tonic chord appearing in a major-key song – darkens the harmony by borrowing the tonic from the parallel minor.

songs

'I'll Be Back' (1964) is the earliest Beatles song to use Parallel minor tonic, which goes on to appear on 14 in all.

Analysis

Song count per year

% of each member's catalogue with this tag (by writing credit)

Early2 · 15%

Mid-period7 · 54%

Late4 · 31%

Year

Album

Writer

Lead vocal(s)

#	Title	Year	Album	Lead Vocal(s)	Notes
1	When I Get Home	1964	A Hard Day's Night	John	Am in A major
2	I'll Be Back	1964	A Hard Day's Night	John	Am in A major
3	The Night Before	1965	Help!	Paul	Gm in G major
4	Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)	1965	Rubber Soul	John	Em (in E major)
5	The Word	1965	Rubber Soul	John, Paul	Dm in D major
6	Here, There and Everywhere	1966	Revolver	Paul	Gm (in G major)
7	Penny Lane	1967	Magical Mystery Tour	Paul	Bm in B major
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8	Fixing a Hole	1967	Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band	Paul	Fm in F major
9	The Fool on the Hill	1967	Magical Mystery Tour	Paul	Dm (in D major)
10	Happiness Is a Warm Gun	1968	The Beatles (The White Album)	John	Am in A major
11	Piggies	1968	The Beatles (The White Album)	George	Abm in Ab major
12	Savoy Truffle	1968	The Beatles (The White Album)	George	Em in E major
13	Mother Nature's Son	1968	The Beatles (The White Album)	Paul	Dm in D major
14	Free as a Bird	1995	Reunion singles	John, Paul, George	Am in A major