Elton John – Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Chorus
Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘D7/F#’, ‘C/G’, ‘F/G’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘Dm’, ‘C/E’, ‘F’, ‘C/G’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘Ab6’, ‘Bb’, ‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘D7/F#’, ‘C/G’, ‘F/G’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘Dm’, ‘C/E’, ‘F’, ‘C/G’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘Ab6’, ‘Bb’, ‘C’]
Chord Progression Analysis
Here is an analysis of the repeating chorus sequence and the Roman numerals (relative to the key of C Major).
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C (I) – C/Bb (I7) – F/A (IV6) – D7/F# (V7 of ii with 3rd in bass) – C/G (I64) – F/C (IV64) – G (V) – C (I)
C/Bb (I7) – F/A (IV6) – Dm (ii) – C/E (I6) – F (IV) – C/G (I64) – G (V) – C (I)
C/Bb (I7) – F/A (IV6) – Ab6 (bVI6, borrowed from C minor) – Bb (bVII, also borrowed from minor) – C (I)
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Note that C/Bb, described as I7 here, is more accurately a chromatically descending bass line within the tonic chord.
Similar Chord Progressions
The progression employed in this track is unique and shows Elton John’s specific style. However, there are other songs which have similarities. The sequential use of diatonic and chromatic chords can be found in the Beatles’ music, for instance, they frequently used chromatic mediant relationships, secondary dominant chords and borrowed chords, which is reflected in songs like “In My Life” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand”. You can also consider Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” for the use of rich and inventive harmonic structures. Still, these are not exact matches but share some stylistic consistencies.
Musical Analysis
The use of seventh and sixth chords, inverted chords, and borrowed chords from the parallel minor aid in creating a sense of tension, release, and musical interest through an otherwise relatively straightforward progression. The descending bass line in the first couplet of the chorus creates a ‘falling’ or ‘sinking’ sensation which ties into the theme of despair in the lyrics.
Overall Analysis
“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” is a pop song by Elton John from the album “Caribou,” released in 1974. The song is set in the key of C Major, with some interesting chord changes and borrowed chords that are rich and reflective of Elton John’s unique harmonic style. The chorus especially impresses with unexpected chord shifts, demonstrating a sophisticated songwriting technique.
Style Analysis
Elton John often displays a fondness for complex chord changes and sophisticated harmonies in his music. This song continues this trend with its unexpected shifts, like the transition to the D7/F#, typically used as secondary dominant to the ii chord, and the borrowed chords.
What are the chords in: Elton John – Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Chorus?
[‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘D7/F#’, ‘C/G’, ‘F/G’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘Dm’, ‘C/E’, ‘F’, ‘C/G’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘Ab6’, ‘Bb’, ‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘D7/F#’, ‘C/G’, ‘F/G’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘Dm’, ‘C/E’, ‘F’, ‘C/G’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘C/Bb’, ‘F/A’, ‘Ab6’, ‘Bb’, ‘C’]
