Music Theory Alchemy

Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Can You Feel The Love Tonight” is a pop ballad written in the key of G major. The progression makes traditional use of the G major chord scale with a notable exception of a borrowed chord A/C#.

**

‘Set Fire to the Rain’ is written in the key of D minor. The main course of progression uses the chords of Dm, B-flat Major, F Major and C Major. This is a 6-4-1-5 progression, which is very popular and is used in a lot of pop music.

What makes this progression interesting is that Adele uses the 2nd inversion of the A minor chord, Am/B, and G/A, which gives it a unique timbre. `Am/B` is the 2nd inversion of the `Am` chord and `G/A` is the 2nd inversion of the `G` chord.

**

The chord progression in the chorus of “Nude” by Radiohead features a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, with some added tensions for additional color. It reflects the band’s signature style of blending unexpected harmonic elements to create a unique and evocative sound. In particular, the mix of major and minor chords with added tensions lends a sense of both familiarity and unconventionality to the progression.

The chord progression in Tyler, The Creator’s “Gone Gone” is a mix of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, making it an interesting and unique progression. It features a combination of major, minor, and an altered seventh chord, adding to the overall complexity of the progression. The style is reminiscent of jazz and R&B, where more complex harmonic structures are often used. Some borrowings from different modes and chromaticism also contribute to its richness and distinct sound.

Elton John – Bennie And The Jets – Chorus

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

[‘G’, ‘Am7’, ‘C7’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am7’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em/D’, ‘C’, ‘Bb/C’, ‘G’, ‘F’]

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
G (I),
Am7 (ii7),
C7 (IV7 – borrowed chord from G Mixolydian),
C (IV),
G (I),
Am7 (ii7),
C (IV),
D (V),
Em (vi),
Em/D (vi / V),
C (IV),
Bb/C (bIII / IV – borrowed chord from G Mixolydian),
G (I), F (bVII – borrowed chord from G Mixolydian)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Let It Be”:
“`
C (I), G (V), Am (vi), F (IV)’.
“`
It is not exactly the same, but similarly, it also uses diatonic chords and the progression has the same “resolved” feeling to it.

2. Eagles – “Hotel California”:
“`
‘Bm (i),
F# (V),
A (VII),
E (IV),
G (bVI),
D (bIII),
Em (iv),
F#(V)`
“`

This song also employs a good amount of borrowed chords, similar to “Bennie And The Jets”.

Musical Analysis

Elton John uses diatonic chords in the key of G Major, like G (I), Am7 (ii7), C (IV) and D (V), to establish a clear tonality. He includes some modal interchange with the use of C7, Bb/C and F which are borrowed from the mixolidian mode. This provides a bit of bluesy flavor to the song. The use of the Am7 (ii7) also suggests a dorian feel, as it’s often used in jazz and soul music, genres that have influenced Elton John’s style. The Em/D is a classic example of a slash chord where the bass note (D) is different from the root of the chord (Em). This chord functions mainly as a passing chord leading back to the tonic G.

Overall Analysis

“Bennie And The Jets” by Elton John, released in 1973, features a distinctive chord progression that exemplifies Elton’s advanced harmonic sensibility and taste for grand piano-based balladry. The song is mainly in the key of G Major.

Style Analysis

“Bennie And The Jets” is a fusion of pop, rock, and glam rock with hints of soul, R&B, and gospel, styles that frequently make an appearance in Elton John’s repertoire. Elton’s powerful and ornamented piano playing, combined with his emotive vocal delivery, add to the song’s overall dramatic atmosphere.

Chords in the Chorus section of Bennie And The Jets by Elton John are:

[‘G’, ‘Am7’, ‘C7’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am7’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘Em’, ‘Em/D’, ‘C’, ‘Bb/C’, ‘G’, ‘F’]