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This chord progression is in the key of C Major, but incorporates a variety of borrowed chords and slash chords that add complexity and color to the song. It’s a good example of how Elton John takes popularly-used chord progressions and puts his own unique spin on them.

The song “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John is brilliantly harmonized, showcasing the great musical arrangement skills of John at his best. Primarily, the song is based in the key of C Major and uses a variety of moving bass lines over mostly diatonic chords in the verses and choruses. There are some key modulations and borrowed chords that give the harmony a rich and complex quality which sets it apart from many contemporary pop songs.

Verse

“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” by George Michael displays a sophisticated use of common-pop progression with some borrowed chords and secondary dominants. The progression displays the pop and soul music influence, with its powerful use of dominant and subdominant movements.

The intro of “My Name Is Jonas” by Weezer is a simple, yet effective chord progression in the key of C major. The progression starts on the tonic, moves to a first inversion of a G6 chord, followed by an A minor chord, and finally back to the first inversion of the G6 chord. The progression has a circular nature, which adds to the song’s catchiness and memorability.

“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” by George Michael displays a sophisticated use of common-pop progression with some borrowed chords and secondary dominants. The progression displays the pop and soul music influence, with its powerful use of dominant and subdominant movements.

George Michael

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“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” by George Michael displays a sophisticated use of common-pop progression with some borrowed chords and secondary dominants. The progression displays the pop and soul music influence, with its powerful use of dominant and subdominant movements.