Music Theory Alchemy

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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.

“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.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Pre-Chorus 4

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Chord Progression

Dbmaj7, Bbm7, Db/F, Db/Eb

Chord Progression Analysis

Dbmaj7 (I maj7) – Bbm7 (vi m7) – Db/F (I 6/3) – Db/Eb (I 6/4)

Similar Chord Progressions

Musical Analysis

The first chord, Dbmaj7, firmly establishes the tonal center of the progression as Db major. Following that is Bbm7, which is the vi chord and a diatonic chord in the key of Db major as well. The progression then moves to Db/F, which is the I chord with an inversion, specifically in first inversion, with the third of the chord, F, in the bass. The final chord is Db/Eb, which is another inversion of the I chord (Db). In this case, it is in the second inversion with the fifth of the chord, Eb, in the bass.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

The use of seventh chords and inversions in this progression is characteristic of jazz, R&B, and funk styles that George Benson is known for. The movement between diatonic chords creates a sense of stability, while the inversions of the I chord add interest and tension.

Similar Chord Progressions by Other Artists and Songs:
1. Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely”
Fmaj7 (I maj7) – Dm7 (vi m7) – F/C (I 6/3) – F/Bb (I 6/4)

2. Earth, Wind & Fire – “After The Love Has Gone”
Bbmaj7 (I maj7) – Gm7 (vi m7) – Bb/Eb (I 6/4) – Bb/D (I 6/3)

3. Bill Withers – “Just The Two of Us”
Fm7 (ii m7) – Ebmaj7 (I maj7) – Fm7 (ii m7) – Gm7 (iii m7)

While these examples may not be an exact match, they exhibit similar components, such as the use of seventh chords, inversions, and movement between diatonic chords, that lend them a similar jazz, R&B, and funk style to the pre-chorus progression from “Give Me The Night.”

Chords in the Pre-Chorus 4 section of Give Me The Night by George Benson are:

Dbmaj7, Bbm7, Db/F, Db/Eb