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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Rocket Man” by Elton John, released in 1972, is a melodic and harmonically sophisticated example of his pop/rock style. The piece is in the key of G, and the chord progression of Verse 2 introduces some harmonies that exploit john’s expertise in using extended and altered chords, which lend colorfulness and a feel of departure and return. The use of slash chords like G/B and D/F# creates a descending bass line that is very characteristic of pop and rock music, creating a sense of melodic movement within the chords themselves. Verse 2 is navigated skillfully between simplistic and complex harmonies.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Paper Tiger” by Beck is an interesting mix of major and minor chords which gives the song a unique and slightly melancholic vibe. While the song is in the key of E major, it contains several chords borrowed from the parallel minor key and features unusual harmonic movement. This creates a sense of tension and release that is characteristic of Beck’s music.

The song “Yesterday” by The Beatles is in the key of F major and spans chord I to VI. It is characterized by a deeply expressive melody and distinctive harmony. The chord progression seems simple, yet it makes full use of secondary dominants, borrowed chords, and subtly shifting tonal centers for narrative, which is a trademark of The Beatles’s songwriting style.

“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.

Elton John – Bennie And The Jets – Chorus

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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’]