Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“I’m Still Standing” is a pop rock song by Elton John, from his 1983 album “Too Low For Zero”. The song is up-tempo, featuring energetic keyboard playing from Elton John, and has become one of his most enduring hits. The song is in the key of E Major.

Here’s the chord progression analysis of the coda and the full chord names with their roman numerals:

“Goodbye Blue Sky” is a song by Pink Floyd from their 1979 album, “The Wall.” It is known for its haunting, ethereal quality, achieved through the use of predominantly minor chords, lush harmonies, and a slow, atmospheric tempo. The song’s lyrics and melancholic mood reflect feelings of loss and desolation.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Say Goodbye” by Beck features a simple, yet unique combination of major and minor chords. It is primarily built around the key of G major, but includes a chromatic twist with the inclusion of the A# major chord. The progression is fairly repetitive, which provides a stable and recognizable backbone for the chorus.

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’]