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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Give Me The Night” is a smooth jazz, R&B, and funk-infused composition by George Benson. The pre-chorus is particularly interesting, as it features a brief but captivating chord progression that navigates through a variety of moods before looping back to the main progression or chorus of the song.

“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.

“Castles Made of Sand” is a song by Jimi Hendrix, found on his 1967 album “Axis: Bold as Love.” The song is in the key of G major and features a chord progression that is both simple and innovative in its use of borrowed chords and voice leading. The progression can be seen as an indirect approach to the IV chord (C) which gives the progression a sense of unresolved tension. The overall sound of the song is characterized by its dreamy, psychedelic atmosphere.

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles is in the minor mode and its chord progression showcases rich harmonic content and unexpected key changes, common to The Beatles’ music. Harmonically, it features an interesting mixture of chords from the parallel major and minor keys, which is indicative of modal interchange, a key characteristic of The Beatles’ songwriting.

“Time To Pretend” by MGMT features a non-conventional and interesting chord progression. The progression can be primarily analyzed in the key of D Major with a brief modulation to the relative minor (F#m). The chords are not sophisticated in terms of extensions, but the arrangement and harmonic movement provide a unique and memorable melody. This chorus is an example of diatonic and modal mixture, using chords not only from the primary key but also borrowing chords from other modes.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Chorus 1

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Chord Progression

Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7

Chord Progression Analysis

Fm7 (i7), Bbm7 (iv7), Cm7 (v7), Dbmaj7 (♭VIΔ7), Fm7 (i7), Bbm7 (iv7), Cm7 (v7), Dbmaj7 (♭VIΔ7)
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Borrowed Chord: Dbmaj7 (♭VIΔ7)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely?”
Chord progression: Am7 (vi7), D7 (V7/ii), Gmaj7 (IVΔ7), Cmaj7 (IΔ7), F#m7 (iii7), B7(♮9) (V7/iii), Em7 (ii7), A7(♮9) (V7/ii)

2. Michael Jackson – “Human Nature”
Chord progression: Dmaj7 (IΔ7), E7 (V7), F#m7 (iii7), Gmaj7 (IVΔ7), A7sus (V7sus), A7 (V7)

These examples showcase similar harmonic structures, where chords from the parallel major or minor key are borrowed or unexpected, creating a rich and sophisticated sound that is a hallmark of the late-’70s and early-’80s musical styles.

Musical Analysis

The progression begins with a i7-iv7-v7, which is a common progression found in minor keys, and it adds a sense of tension and release. However, the Dbmaj7 chord that follows is a borrowed chord from the parallel major key (F major). This chord adds an unexpected major sound to the progression and creates a subtle but effective modulation, resulting in a richer harmonic palette. As the progression repeats, it reinforces this harmonic structure, giving the listener a chance to absorb and appreciate its nuances.

Overall Analysis

The chorus of “Give Me The Night” by George Benson features a smooth chord progression that explores both diatonic and borrowed chords, creating a sophisticated sound that is characteristic of the jazz and R&B styles prevalent in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The progression is comprised of chords that stem from the Fm7 key but also includes a borrowed Dbmaj7 chord.

Style Analysis

“Give Me The Night” is a blend of jazz, R&B, and pop, and its chord progression is emblematic of these genres, with its smooth voice leading, diatonic and borrowed chords, and lush harmonies. The use of the borrowed chord, in combination with the syncopated rhythm and instrumentation of the song, creates a contemporary and polished sound that was popular during the late ’70s and early ’80s.

Chords in the Chorus 1 section of Give Me The Night by George Benson are:

Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7