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previously in rock, 4/4 meter was almost a "given" ... also tended to be uptempo, heavy backbeat w/duple subdivision
insertion of 2/4 measure:
Revolution 1
2/4 bar inserted at 0:21 on the word "well" (verses: 4 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4)
from the White album
Golden Slumbers
2/4 bar inserted in this song also at 0:21 following the word "home" (coincidence?)
from Abbey Road
triple meter:
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
alternates 3/4 and 4/4
She's Leaving Home
3/4 throughout
insertion of 3/4 measure:
Back in the USSR
two measures of 3/4 bar inserted at 0:58 (followed by Beach Boys-like vocal countermelody: "oo-ee-oo")
alternate 3/4 & 4/4
Blackbird
first four bars (guitar intro, then first vocal phrase) alternate
intro: 4/4 + 3/4 +
verse: 4/4 + 3/4 + 4/4 + 4/4 ...
All You Need is Love
(after 4/4 + 3/4 interspersed throughout)
alternate 4/4, 5/4, & 3/4
Good Morning Good Morning
Intro & Chorus are in 4/4 Verse (beginning with the lyric "Nothing to do ..."): | 5/4 | 5/4 | 5/4 | 3/4 | 4/4 | 5/4 | 4/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 4/4 | 4/4 | | 5/4 | 5/4 | 5/4 | 3/4 | 4/4 | ... stays in 4/4 (quadruple meter) for a while
alternate duple with compound meter
Strawberry Fields Forever
8th note remains consistent throughout
triplet rhythm in vocal line blurs meter futher (2 against 3)
syncopation
A Day in the Life
listen to piano following "made the bus in seconds flat"
hemiola (3 3 3 3 2 2)
obliteration of the backbeat
Give Peace a Chance (John Lennon)
NO backbeat (clapping is audience)
meter/rhythm blurred to such an extent that even this basic element of rock is not safe!!
slower tempo
Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight
transition from ballad to rock - same tempo
I Want You (She's So Heavy)
tempo = 45 beats per minute!! (compound meter ... triplet subdivision)
This tempo is much slower than even Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender"!!
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