Elton John – Your Song – Verse 4
Your Song < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘D’, ‘Gmaj7’, ‘A/C#’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘Bmadd11/A’, ‘Bmadd11/G#’, ‘G’, ‘D/A’, ‘A’, ‘Asus2’, ‘F#’, ‘Bm’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus4’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus2’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Chord list for Verse 4:
`1. D (I)
2. Gmaj7 (IVmaj7)
3. A/C# (V6)
4. F#m (iii)
5. Bm (vi)
6. Bmadd11/A (viadd11 with first inversion)
7. Bmadd11/G# (viadd11 with first inversion/borrowed)
8. G (IV)
9. D/A (I6)
10. A (V)
11. Asus2 (Vadd2)
12. F# (III/borrowed)
13. Bm (vi)
14. D (I)
15. Em (ii)
16. G (IV)
17. D (I)
18. Dsus4 (Isus4)
19. D (I)
20. Dsus2 (Isus2)`
The first interesting observation from this progression is the use of inverted dominant (V6 – A/C#) and tonic chords (I6 – D/A). This creates a sense of melodic bass line harmonizing with the rest of the harmony and melody, a trait possibly influenced by the composer’s deep grounding in piano playing.
Moreover, several major III chords (III – F#) are borrowed from the parallel minor key (D minor), adding expressive tension and intensity to the progression in a baroque or classical manner.
Over the span of this progression, it goes through nearly the whole diatonic chord palette of the D major key, including major, minor, and suspended chords. This variety contributes to the intricate and multi-dimensional mood of the song.
Similar Chord Progressions
The chord progressions used by Elton John in “Your Song” reflect a broader trend in pop music to experiment beyond simple diatonic harmonies, and they have been adopted by a wide range of other artists.
1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles: The IV to iv progression in Verse 4, similar to the one from G to F#, is a noticeable harmonic feature of “Let It Be”.
2. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley: This song also uses the I – V6 progression seen in the transition from D to A/C#, providing a similar sense of melodic motion.
3. “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton (and famously covered by Whitney Houston): This song like “Your Song” heavily uses suspended and added chords (Dsus4, Asus2) to create a rich, lush harmonic texture.
4. “Imagine” by John Lennon: The song has shared emotional expressions with Elton John’s “Your Song” and shares a similar reliance on piano-driven harmonies, including using iv, Isus4, and Vadd2 chords.
Musical Analysis
The musical setting of “Your Song” is robust yet intimate. A driving force behind this arrangement is the utilization of chord inversions and extensions, carrying the listener along a constantly evolving soundscape.
The chord changes also complement the phrasing of the melody and lyrics, elucidating the subtle emotional shifts of the song’s narrative. For example, the transition from the A/C# to the F#m gives a sense of ascension and intensification, which perfectly matches the content and tone of the lyrics at that moment.
Overall Analysis
“Your Song” by Elton John is an iconic pop ballad featuring a piano-driven accompaniment. Harmonically, the song displays rich and varied chord progressions within key of D major, though with a significant usage of borrowed chords and alterations that contribute to a unique and expressive harmonic language. There is a classical and cinematic air about this song establishing it as a flagship Elton John classic.
Style Analysis
Given that Elton John’s style encompasses a variety of genres, including pop, rock, and even elements of classical music, “Your Song” serves as a showcase for his eclectic musical amalgamation. The piano-driven harmony, the rich and varied chord progression, and the soaring melodic lines all exhibit hallmarks of his singular style, but they also effectively translate emotions specific to this song.
What are the chords in: Elton John – Your Song – Verse 4?
[‘D’, ‘Gmaj7’, ‘A/C#’, ‘F#m’, ‘Bm’, ‘Bmadd11/A’, ‘Bmadd11/G#’, ‘G’, ‘D/A’, ‘A’, ‘Asus2’, ‘F#’, ‘Bm’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus4’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus2’]
