Arthur’s Theme Chords

Learn how to play Arthur’s Theme (The Best That You Can Do)!

This genius chord progression takes you from C major to A major (compare with Sunny Afternoon).

By starting on the II chord of C major we move through the cycle of 4ths: II – V – I – IV and end up on an F.

At this point in the progression we borrow a chord from F major which only has one “b”, the next chord is the IV chord of F major but it is also a tritone substitution for the following E chord (E to Bb is a tritone).

This E chord is both a transitional chord that takes us to A major (E being chord V) but also as a IIIx chord in the key of C.

After the E we enter A major for one bar. Since we have had such a long cycle of 4ths it doesn’t feel like we are at home here, on the contrary, the A feels as if it wants to move on up yet another 4th.

When we go back to Dm this is achieved and the verse progression starts again.

Arthur’s Theme use Lydian

The Chorus starts on the IV chord of A major; a D and gives us yet another push which allows the chorus to really take off.

You can spot this by seeing the guitar incorporate the #4 in the melody, this is Lydian at her best.

During the Chorus we also see a III chord which has been modified into a 7sus4, this means the chord is neither major nor minor and the tension remains.

As the chorus ends on an A we are perfectly set up to move back to the II chord of C major again and the progression is complete.

To pen a chord progression like the one in Arthur’s Theme requires that you have some serious knowledge about key signatures and modes.

Burt Bacharach and Christopher Cross certainly knew what they where doing when they wrote Arthur’s Theme!