George Benson – Give Me The Night – Verse 1
Give Me The Night < All Analyses
Chord Progression
Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7
Chord Progression Analysis
(Db Major Scale: Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C – Db)
Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (iiim7), Bbm7 (vim7), Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7)
Cm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Db parallel minor)Similar Chord Progressions
1. Stevie Wonder – “Knocks Me Off My Feet”:
Dmaj7 (Imaj7), F#m7 (iiim7), Bm7 (vim7), Em9 (IIm9), A9 (V9)
2. Earth, Wind & Fire – “September”:
Abmaj7 (Imaj7), Cm7 (iiim7), Fm7 (vim7), Gm7 (bVIIm7 – borrowed from Ab parallel minor), Abmaj7 (Imaj7)
Though these songs have different keys, each displays the use of diatonic major 7th, minor 7th, and borrowed chords within their progressions, showcasing elements of jazz, R&B, and funk.
Musical Analysis
The verse chord progression primarily consists of diatonic chords Imaj7, iiim7, and vim7. The progression starts with a tonic Dbmaj7 chord before moving to Fm7 (the mediant chord), and to Bbm7 (the submediant chord), implying a smooth harmonic motion. However, the appearance of the borrowed Cm7 chord, which is sourced from the parallel minor (Db minor), adds harmonic interest and tension before being restored to the tonic chord.
Overall Analysis
“Give Me The Night” is a jazz-funk composition with a rich harmonic texture and a catchy melody. It was produced by Quincy Jones and released in 1980. The verse chord progression of this piece features a series of diatonic seventh chords, with one borrowed chord from a parallel minor key, which are common to the jazz and R&B styles.
Style Analysis
George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” exhibits typical features of jazz, R&B, and funk music genres. The use of extended chords like major and minor 7ths, along with the inclusion of a borrowed chord, implies rich harmonic texture, similar to typical jazz and R&B songs from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The syncopated rhythm and catchy instrumental hook additionally lends itself to aspects of funk.
What are the chords in: George Benson – Give Me The Night – Verse 1?
Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7