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The chord progression of “Get You” by Daniel Caesar is intriguing and rich. The progression has a smooth, soulful sound with interesting uses of borrowed chords that add an alluring complexity to the song.

The chord progression in Verse 3 of Daniel Caesar’s “Get You” consists of a mix of diatonic chords and borrowed chords from the parallel minor. The overall tonality is in the B minor key. The smooth, soulful sound of the progression is achieved through the use of minor chords, mixed with major seventh chords, and the cycle of fifths progression in some measures.

“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” is a pop song by Elton John from the album “Caribou,” released in 1974. The song is set in the key of C Major, with some interesting chord changes and borrowed chords that are rich and reflective of Elton John’s unique harmonic style. The chorus especially impresses with unexpected chord shifts, demonstrating a sophisticated songwriting technique.

The chorus of “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is built around a progression that oscillates between a single major chord, F, and a single minor seventh chord, Cm7. This is quite minimalistic. Major chords usually have a happy, positive feel, while minor chords induce a somewhat sad, introspective mood. The use of C minor 7th gives a particular color to the progression: it’s a minor chord with an added minor seventh, which means it’s a bit less stable than a regular minor chord.

The chord progression in Kali Uchis’ “Loner” features a mix of major, minor, and augmented chords, which contributes to the song’s unique sound and emotional depth. The progression has an unconventional and intriguing quality, while still maintaining a sense of harmonic coherence.

Daniel Caesar – Get You – Chorus

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Chord Progression

Em, F#m7, Bm, A7, Em, F#m7, Bm, A7

Chord Progression Analysis

Em (ii), F#m7 (iii7), Bm (vi), A7 (V7), Em (ii), F#m7 (iii7), Bm (vi), A7 (V7)
`Borrowed Chord: Em (ii borrowed from D minor)`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers: Cmaj7 (I7), Bm7 (ii7), Em7 (iii7), A7 (V7), Dm7 (vi7), G7 (V7 of Cmaj7)
2. “Killing Me Softly” by Roberta Flack: Fmaj7 (I7), Gmaj7 (V7 of ii), Em7 (ii7), Am7 (vi7), Dm7 (vi7), G7 (V7 of Fmaj7)

Both “Lovely Day” and “Killing Me Softly” employ similar R&B/soul chord progressions utilizing borrowed chords, creating a lush harmony that evokes emotional warmth. The play between major and minor tonalities and smooth chord transitions are characteristic of these songs and create a connection to Caesar’s “Get You.”

Musical Analysis

The chord progression in “Get You” starts with a borrowed ii chord (Em) from the parallel minor key, D minor, immediately establishing a unique and evocative sound. This is followed by the iii7 (F#m7), vi (Bm), and V7 (A7) chords, all diatonic to D major, giving the progression a sense of familiarity, while still retaining its distinctive color. The progression then repeats, reinforcing the overall harmony.

The use of the borrowed chord (Em) creates a mix of both minor and major tonalities, which contributes to the song’s warm and emotional atmosphere. The presence of the iii7 (F#m7), vi (Bm), and V7 (A7) chords provides a sense of resolution and direction to the progression, with the V7 chord functioning as a dominant, driving the tension towards the next repetition of the progression.

Overall Analysis

“Get You” by Daniel Caesar is a soulful R&B ballad featuring a smooth and emotive chord progression that is both melancholic and uplifting. The progression is derived from the key of D major, but features a borrowed chord from its parallel minor key, D minor, which adds a unique flair to the song. Daniel Caesar’s vocal performance, accompanied by soulful instrumentation, creates a sense of nostalgia and emotional evocation that is characteristic of the R&B genre.

Style Analysis

“Get You” is a contemporary R&B and soul ballad, evoking the classic feel of timeless artists such as Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye, but with updated production and arrangements. Caesar’s delivery is smooth and heartfelt, his voice blending with the instruments to create a rich and enveloping atmosphere. The combination of the soulful chord progression, borrowed chords, and Caesar’s silky vocals project a nostalgic and emotional feel that is characteristic of the genre.

Chords in the Chorus section of Get You by Daniel Caesar are:

Em, F#m7, Bm, A7, Em, F#m7, Bm, A7