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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues” is a well-known hit by Elton John from the album “Too Low for Zero” released in 1983. The song is a blend of pop, rock and blues styles and showcases Elton John’s proficiency in blending different music genres. The verse uses a straightforward I-V-vi-IV progression which is a common progression in pop music.

The Chorus’s

The chord progression in the chorus of “Say Goodbye” by Beck features a simple, yet unique combination of major and minor chords. It is primarily built around the key of G major, but includes a chromatic twist with the inclusion of the A# major chord. The progression is fairly repetitive, which provides a stable and recognizable backbone for the chorus.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Sexx Laws” by Beck is a non-diatonic chord progression that features chromatic and unexpected chords. The progression seems to be based in the key of E major, but the chords used are not strictly within the E major scale, providing a distinctive sound and style characteristic of Beck’s music. The progression contains some parallel major chords, giving it a distinct classic rock vibe.

The chord progression in the chorus of Tyler, The Creator’s “See You Again” exhibits a combination of diatonic and chromatic movements, with the use of borrowed chords and altered dominants that create tension and release. The song is in the key of F# major.

Elton John – Bennie And The Jets – Chorus

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Chord Progression

[‘G’, ‘Am7’, ‘C7’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am7’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em/D’, ‘C’, ‘Bb/C’, ‘G’, ‘F’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
G (I),
Am7 (ii7),
C7 (IV7 – borrowed chord from G Mixolydian),
C (IV),
G (I),
Am7 (ii7),
C (IV),
D (V),
Em (vi),
Em/D (vi / V),
C (IV),
Bb/C (bIII / IV – borrowed chord from G Mixolydian),
G (I), F (bVII – borrowed chord from G Mixolydian)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Let It Be”:
“`
C (I), G (V), Am (vi), F (IV)’.
“`
It is not exactly the same, but similarly, it also uses diatonic chords and the progression has the same “resolved” feeling to it.

2. Eagles – “Hotel California”:
“`
‘Bm (i),
F# (V),
A (VII),
E (IV),
G (bVI),
D (bIII),
Em (iv),
F#(V)`
“`

This song also employs a good amount of borrowed chords, similar to “Bennie And The Jets”.

Musical Analysis

Elton John uses diatonic chords in the key of G Major, like G (I), Am7 (ii7), C (IV) and D (V), to establish a clear tonality. He includes some modal interchange with the use of C7, Bb/C and F which are borrowed from the mixolidian mode. This provides a bit of bluesy flavor to the song. The use of the Am7 (ii7) also suggests a dorian feel, as it’s often used in jazz and soul music, genres that have influenced Elton John’s style. The Em/D is a classic example of a slash chord where the bass note (D) is different from the root of the chord (Em). This chord functions mainly as a passing chord leading back to the tonic G.

Overall Analysis

“Bennie And The Jets” by Elton John, released in 1973, features a distinctive chord progression that exemplifies Elton’s advanced harmonic sensibility and taste for grand piano-based balladry. The song is mainly in the key of G Major.

Style Analysis

“Bennie And The Jets” is a fusion of pop, rock, and glam rock with hints of soul, R&B, and gospel, styles that frequently make an appearance in Elton John’s repertoire. Elton’s powerful and ornamented piano playing, combined with his emotive vocal delivery, add to the song’s overall dramatic atmosphere.

Chords in the Chorus section of Bennie And The Jets by Elton John are:

[‘G’, ‘Am7’, ‘C7’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am7’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em/D’, ‘C’, ‘Bb/C’, ‘G’, ‘F’]