George Benson – Give Me The Night – Chorus 4
Give Me The Night < All Analyses
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)
Similar Chord Progressions
1. “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye: Emaj7 (IΔ7) – C#m7 (vi7) – Bm7 (v7) – Cmaj7 (♭VIΔ7)
2. “On and On” by Erykah Badu: Gmaj7 (IΔ7) – Am7 (ii7) – Em7 (vi7) – F#maj7 (♭VIΔ7)
3. “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker: F#maj7 (IΔ7) – G#m7 (ii7) – C#m7 (vi7) – D#maj7 (♭VIΔ7)
In these examples, you can see similar structures to the progression in “Give Me the Night,” with major seventh and minor seventh chords being used to create a smooth and engaging progression, often with a borrowed major 7th chord from the parallel major key, creating unique and memorable R&B songs.
Musical Analysis
The chord progression starts with the tonic (Fm7), providing a solid foundation for the chorus. It then moves to the subdominant (Bbm7), a common progression that adds tension and anticipation. The following chord, Cm7, introduces even more tension as the dominant (v7) of the key, although it’s a minor seventh chord rather than a major one, which is more common in R&B progressions.
The interesting twist in this progression comes with the next chord, the Dbmaj7, a borrowed chord from the parallel major key (F major). This major 7th chord breaks the tension previously built by the minor chords and adds an unexpected uplifting quality to the chorus. The progression then repeats these four chords, reinforcing the cyclical nature of the chorus and bringing listeners back to the beginning.
Overall Analysis
The chord progression in the chorus of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” is an example of a smooth and groovy R&B progression from the early 1980s. It has a mix of minor chords, a major chord, and a major 7th chord, creating a soulful and slightly melancholic character. The progressions use diatonic chords from the F minor scale, with a hint of modal interchange.
Style Analysis
As mentioned earlier, the style of this chord progression is reflective of early 1980s R&B and Funk music. The use of minor seventh chords, including the tonic and subdominant, is characteristic of the soulful and groovy nature of R&B at the time. The addition of the borrowed major 7th chord adds a layer of sophistication and surprise, making the progression more memorable and distinct.
What are the chords in: George Benson – Give Me The Night – Chorus 4?
Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7
