Eleanor Rigby

Structure

• Introduction - 8 bars - 2 × 4 bar phrases

• Verse 1 - 10 bars

• Refrain - 8 bars

• Verse 2 - 10 bars

• Regrain - 8 bars

• Bridge - 8 bars (same material as intro)

• Verse 3 - 10 bars

• Refrain - 8 bars

• Outro - 2 bars (contains elements of the intro - backing vocal phrase)

Tonality

• Minor key

• E minor

• Modal

• Dorian on E

• Minor mode

Melody

• Vocal in verse is diatonic in the Dorian mode

• Backing vocal has flattened sixth (C natural) making it Aeolian in character

• Mostly conjunct

• Distinctive 8ve leap in refrain “where do” later extends to 10th

Harmony

• Alternates between C major and E minor (2 chords)

• Use of A minor in bars 56-57

• Slow harmonic rhythm

• E pedal in refrain

• Dissonance - Descending chromatic line / scale in viola part in refrain

• Tonic pedal

Texture

• Melody dominated homophony

• Homophonic strings

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre

• Repeated crotchets in strings

• Continuous quaver movement with syncopation

• Sustained semibreves

• Fast - crotchet = 136

Sonority

• Double string quartet - unusual for pop songs at the time

• Vocals

• Double stopping (occasionally divisi)

• Articulation (staccato and accents)

• Cello doubles the voice

• Vocal harmonies in 3rds