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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

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.

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a psychedelic rock song often regarded as one of their finest works. It’s innovative from both a melodic and harmonic perspective, using complex chord structures, chromatic touches, and key changes. The song is primarily in the key of E major.

“Can’t Buy Me Love” is a song in C Major. The Beatles were renowned for their use of a variety of chord progressions, and this song certainly lives up to that reputation. Although the progression in the verse primarily consists of the chords ‘C7’, ‘F7’, and ‘C’, it’s the way they are harmonically linked that makes it really interesting.

“Let It Be” by The Beatles utilizes a very accessible and effective chord progression throughout the song. This progression is designed to create tension and release as it progresses, as well as establish the root key of the song, which is C Major.

The chords used throughout the song show a strong use of borrowed chords, inversions, and extensions, adding to the depth and complexity of the song despite the relatively uncomplicated chord progression.

The balance between the root key, dissonance, resolution, and overall harmony creates an emotive and engaging song that maintains listener interest and displays the songwriting abilities of The Beatles.

Daniel Caesar – Get You – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

Em (i), F#m7 (ii7), Bm (v), A7 (IV7), Em (i), F#m7 (ii7), Bm (v), A7 (IV7), Em (i), F#m7 (ii7), Bm (v), A7 (IV7), Em (i), F#m7 (ii7), Bm (v), A7 (IV7)

Borrowed Chord:
“`
A7 (IV7 – borrowed from E major)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. “On & On” by Erykah Badu
Em9 (i9), Gmaj7 (III7), A7sus4 (IV7sus4), A7 (IV7)

2. “Ordinary People” by John Legend
Em7 (i7), Bm7 (v7), A7 (IV7), Dmaj7 (VII7)

3. “Put It All On Me” by Ed Sheeran ft. Ella Mai
Em (i), F#m7 (ii7), Bm (v), A7 (IV7)

Musical Analysis

The chord progression in “Get You” revolves around a common tonic (i) – predominant (iv or ii7) – dominant (v) – borrowed subdominant (IV7) cycle in E minor. The progression starts with the tonic Em chord, then moves to the diatonic F#m7 (ii7) chord, which serves as the predominant. The dominant, a Bm (v) chord, follows before resolving to a borrowed chord, A7 (IV7), originated from the parallel major (E major) and serves to enhance the harmonic pull back to the tonic. This entire sequence is repeated four times throughout Verse 1.

Overall Analysis

The song “Get You” by Daniel Caesar features a smooth and soulful chord progression that reflects the style of contemporary R&B and neo-soul. The chords provide a sense of warmth and sincerity that complements the song’s intimate lyrics. The progression is primarily diatonic, but with some borrowed chords, which adds an interesting color to the music.

Style Analysis

“Get You” by Daniel Caesar is a prime example of contemporary R&B and neo-soul music. The chords, along with Caesar’s smooth vocal style and intimate lyrics, create a romantic and emotive atmosphere. The use of diatonic seventh chords and the borrowed major subdominant (IV7) contribute to the lush harmonic texture typical of the neo-soul genre.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Get You by Daniel Caesar are:

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