Comparing My Love and ET
In my recent blog post Lydian Beatles we covered the characteristic sound of the Lydian mode and its use in countless Sci-Fi films, to the extent that it is also called “the Hollywood mode”.
The main point to bear in mind about the Lydian mode is the use of the raised fourth degree of the scale.
Here is another famous example of the Lydian mode at work. Right from the start of John Williams’ Flying Theme from ET we can hear the woodwinds executing fast scalic runs on the scale of C-Lydian.
When the main theme emerges at 0:13, the chord sequence moves from two bars of C major, to two bars of D major at 0:18, followed by B minor. Also please note the use of the chord of Ab major at 0:28 – another use of the “magical” flattened sixth that McCartney has used in numerous songs through his career. The whole first passage ends on a chord of C major7 at 0:30. The lingering major seventh in the melody prolongs the atmosphere of magical enchantment.
My Love (1973)
McCartney, like Williams, is a master musician. Unlike Williams, McCartney is not orchestrally trained and cannot read music. However, there are clear parallels in approach.
My Love begins on a dreamy, magical chord of Bb major7 (whereas the ET theme ends on a major seventh chord).
To add an element of intrigue and surprise, McCartney starts My Love with an orchestral crescendo on the pitch of A4. However, the A4 does not form the root note of a chord such as A major (which would be too predictable), but forms the major seventh of the opening chord.
McCartney sings the opening melody over the chord of Bb major7. Although the song eventually reveals itself to be in F major, at this stage in the game, we can only guess that Bb is the tonic. In this context, the opening melody of My Love ascends through the following pitches:
F Bb C D E F
The note of E natural in the context of Bb major forms the raised fourth degree of the Lydian scale.
In the same way that Williams uses major seventh chord and the Lydian mode to relate a sense of magic and wonder in ET, McCartney uses the Lydian mode at the beginning of My Love to convey a sense of almost magical wonder in his love for his wife, Linda.
The sense of magical wonder in the ET theme as compared to My Love is perhaps more obvious nearer the end of the film’s theme.
Can you note any broad similarities in mood, approach, and a general sense of wonder and mystery?
Great composers tend to use the same tricks of the trade.
Books Available
If you find this information interesting, please consider buying one of my books. It will also go towards the costs of running of this blog (click the image below for the shop).
