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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The pre-chorus section of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” is a smooth and interesting progression that exhibits characteristics of the jazz, funk, and R&B styles. It features a mix of seventh chords and inversions, and utilizes both diatonic and borrowed chords from the parallel minor key.

The bridge of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” features a blend of jazz, R&B, and pop elements. The harmonic progression showcases a series of descending chords, interspersed with borrowed chords that provide an interesting twist to the overall tonality of the piece.

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“Im Still Standing” by Elton John is a classic rock/pop song composed in E Major. You can see that this is a complex composition with frequent chord changes, giving it a rich musical texture. The chord progression is not diatonic, which means that it includes chords from outside of its home key of E Major.

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The given chord progression is from the verse of Pink Floyd’s “Breathe,” a song from their 1973 album, “The Dark Side of the Moon.” The progression consists of alternating Em and A7 chords throughout the entire verse. This creates a sense of movement and tension between the chords while also being relatively simple and repetitive. The harmonic back-and-forth between these two chords gives the song a dreamy and immersive quality that is a signature sound of Pink Floyd’s style.

“Come Together”, released by The Beatles in 1969 on their Abbey Road album, is a rock song known for its catchy bass-line, cryptic lyrics and iconic chorus. It’s written in D minor key, a common key in rock music. Across the progression, there is not only an interesting mix of different chords but also a novel use of borrowed chords that play a significant role in making the song mysterious, intriguing, and unique.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

Dbmaj7 (I), Fm7 (iv), Bbm7 (vi), Cm7 (bII), Dbmaj7 (I), Fm7 (iv), Bbm7 (vi), Cm7 (bII), Dbmaj7 (I), Dbmaj7 (I), Fm7 (iv), Bbm7 (vi), Cm7 (bII), Dbmaj7 (I), Fm7 (iv), Bbm7 (vi), Cm7 (bII), Dbmaj7 (I)

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Borrowed Chord: Cm7 (bII)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder – “As”:
Chord progression: Emaj7 (I), G#m7 (iii), C#m7 (vi), F#m7 (ii), B7sus (V)

2. Al Jarreau – “Mornin’”:
Chord progression: Abmaj7 (I), Dbmaj7 (IV), Cm7 (vi), Fm7 (ii), Bbm7 (v), Eb7 (I)

3. Patrice Rushen – “Forget Me Nots”:
Chord progression: Amaj7 (I), Abm7 (bVII), F#m7 (vi), G#m7 (VII)

These songs share a similar late 70s and early 80s R&B and jazz fusion style, with sophisticated chord progressions, smooth grooves, and a mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords. The progressions make use of extended chords (sevenths) for a lush, harmonically rich sound.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression in verse 2 of “Give Me The Night” starts with a Dbmaj7 followed by Fm7, Bbm7, and Cm7 in a typical I – iv – vi pattern, often found in R&B and jazz songs. However, the Cm7, which is the bII chord, adds a unique borrowed chord element from the Phrygian mode and is responsible for the song’s distinct harmonic texture. This mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords provides a tonally rich and interesting progression, while still retaining a sense of familiarity and consonance.

Overall Analysis

“Give Me The Night” is a classic R&B and jazz-infused song by George Benson, released in 1980. The song was written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. It features a smooth, soulful groove, lush harmonies, and a sophisticated chord progression that is characteristic of the late 70s and early 80s R&B and jazz fusion style. The verse of the song makes use of diatonic chords with a few borrowed chords, giving the progression a rich and interesting harmonic content.

Style Analysis

The style of “Give Me The Night” is heavily influenced by the R&B and jazz fusion movement of the late 70s and early 80s. The smooth, soulful groove, combined with the harmonic sophistication provided by the chord progression, is characteristic of the era’s popular music. The choice of lush, extended chords (sevenths) contributes to the song’s silky and jazz-infused sound. Furthermore, the Phrygian element introduced through the borrowed chord is indicative of the experimental and genre-blending musical approaches common in that period.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Give Me The Night by George Benson are:

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