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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#.

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“Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” is a song by Elton John written in the key of G major. However, the tonal center of this song fluctuates between G major and its relative minor, Em. Sensitive to the modality of the melody, Elton incorporates “color” via his diverse chord selections. The harmonic movement in this song is richly chromatic, creating a sense of tension and release that intensifies the melancholic aura of the lyrics.

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The chord progression for the verse of “Electric Feel” by MGMT is based in the key of C major. The progression mainly revolves around the use of i, v, VI, and VII chords. The song has a hypnotic, cyclic feel that is characteristic of the neo-psychedelic genre, with touches of funk and dance music elements.

The chord progression throughout this verse of Beck’s “Lost Cause” is predominantly in the key of F Major with some chords from its relative minor (D minor). The use of borrowed chords adds variety and color to the progression, and the alternation between F major and C major chords creates a strong sense of tonality and grounding in the key of F Major. The use of Am and E7 chords provides a brief tension and leaning toward the parallel key of F minor before resolving back to the original key. This adds interest and complexity to the otherwise straightforward progression.

“Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles uses a D Major scale. The song primarily comprises chords built on the tonic or root note (D), which lends a consistent, grounded feel. This reflects the lyrics’ mood—contentment, renewed optimism, and a sense of homecoming with the arrival of the sun.

Elton John – Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

For the Verse 1: [‘C’, ‘G/B’, ‘C’, ‘G/B’, ‘C’, ‘G/B’, ‘Am7’, ‘D’, ‘C’, ‘G/B’, ‘C’, ‘G/B’, ‘C’, ‘Em’, ‘F’, ‘D’]

Full chord Names and their Roman Numerals:
“`
C (I)
G/B (V6)
C (I)
G/B (V6)
C (I)
G/B (V6)
Am7 (vi7)
D (II)
C (I)
G/B (V6)
C (I)
G/B (V6)
C (I)
Em (iii)
F (IV)
D (II)
“`

The D major chord is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, which adds tension and a splash of color.

Similar Chord Progressions

The chord progression of “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” might remind you of “Let It Be” by The Beatles.

For: “Let It Be” [‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘G’].

In the same format as the

Musical Analysis

Elton John’s chords express nostalgia and a longing for simplicity. This progression starts with a major I chord (C Major), which is the cornerstone of the key. It then pivots to G/B, which is unusual as G/B (V6) often typically leads to a I chord. But here, he transitions back and forth between the I chord (C Major), and the V6 chord (G/B), promoting a feeling of sentimentality and warmth. The song makes use of the vi7 (Am7) which provides a touch of melancholy before pivoting to the II (D), a dominant secondary, adding a seventh for the tension needed to resolve back to the I chord (C Major). The Em chord (iii) brings another layer of emotion and is followed by F (IV), a typical subdominant choice in pop music, then ending back at the tension-filled D major.

Overall Analysis

“Can You Feel The Love Tonight” by Elton John is a heart-touching love song that carries a smooth flowing blend of pop and soft rock, showing Elton John’s inclination to use diatonic (major and minor) chords, 7th chords and inversions. The song, largely stays in its home key of C major, has an interesting chord progression that shifts between the tonic, subdominant, and dominant. Internally, there are multiple secondary dominant chords and borrowing from the parallel minor, providing color and contrast.

Style Analysis

Elton John’s unique blend of pop, rock, gospel, and R&B elements is evident in this piece. His usage of I-VI-IV chord progression is a common staple in popular kind of music. The borrowed chord from the parallel minor and secondary dominants add to the song’s emotional depth and complexity.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Can You Feel The Love Tonight by Elton John are:

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