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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 Daniel Caesar’s “Get You” from Verse 4 features a mixture of diatonic chords and borrowed chords from parallel modes. The progression showcases a smooth, soulful, and somewhat melancholic atmosphere that blends elements of R&B, jazz, and neo-soul.

“Across The Universe” by The Beatles, written mostly by John Lennon, is known for its rich and complex harmonic structures that added new dimensions to pop music. The song is predominately in the key of D major, with occasional borrowings from the parallel minor (D minor) and the closely-related key of B minor. The verse 1 progression – D, Bm, F#m, Em7, A, A7, D, Bm, F#m, Em7, Gm – creates an affectingly melancholic mood through its mix of major, minor and borrowed chords, producing a unique ambience that evokes a sense of cosmic contemplation, matching with the philosophical lyrics of the song.

“Penny Lane” by The Beatles is a pop rock song released in 1967. Musically, the track displays characteristics of the “Baroque pop” style combine with psychedelic pop. The composition is multifaceted with complex chord progressions inspired by classical music, as well as elements of the British music hall style, specifically brass band influences throughout.

“Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak utilizes a repetitive three-chord-per-measure progression throughout the song. It is notable for its haunting, melancholic, and mysteriously romantic sound largely because of its repeated progression and very carefully chosen blend of major and minor chords, within the key signature of B minor.

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:
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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