Elton John – Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Verse 2
Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘G’, ‘C/G’, ‘G7’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F/C’, ‘C’, ‘C/E’, ‘F’, ‘Bb/F’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C/G’, ‘G7’, ‘G’, ‘C/G’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F/C’, ‘C’, ‘C/E’, ‘F’, ‘Bb/F’, ‘F’, ‘C/G’, ‘G’]
Chord Progression Analysis
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G Major (‘V’),
C/G (‘IV’),
G7 (‘V7’),
F Major (‘IV’),
C Major (‘I’),
F/C (‘IV’),
C Major (‘I’),
C/E (‘I’),
F Major (‘IV’),
Bb/F (‘bVII’),
F Major (‘IV’),
G Major (‘V’),
C/G (‘IV’),
G7 (‘V7’),
G Major (‘V’),
C/G (‘IV’),
G Major (‘V’),
F Major (‘IV’),
C Major (‘I’),
F/C (‘IV’),
C Major (‘I’),
C/E (‘I’),
F Major (‘IV’),
Bb/F (‘bVII’),
F Major (‘IV’),
C/G (‘IV’),
G Major (‘V’)
“`
The ‘bVII’ (Bb/F) is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key (C minor). It’s a common pop music move that adds tension before resolving back to the ‘IV’ (F Major).
Similar Chord Progressions
1. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles follows a similar progression in its verses but remains in the key of F Major.
2. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses also uses a I-IV-V progression, along with the bVII (borrowed from the parallel minor), much like “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.”
3. “Let It Be” by The Beatles uses a similar progression, though it includes a minor vi chord.
Musical Analysis
Elton John masterfully employs inversions, borrowing the F over Bb chord from the parallel minor, and then utilizing secondary dominants like the G7, to create anticipation before landing back on the tonic or dominant.
Overall Analysis
This chord progression is in the key of C Major, but incorporates a variety of borrowed chords and slash chords that add complexity and color to the song. It’s a good example of how Elton John takes popularly-used chord progressions and puts his own unique spin on them.
Style Analysis
Elton John’s style is marked by a blend of pop, rock, and classical influences, with an emphasis on rich, colorful chord progressions and strong, memorable melodies. His use of borrowed chords and inversions in “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” are classic Elton John.
What are the chords in: Elton John – Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Verse 2?
[‘G’, ‘C/G’, ‘G7’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F/C’, ‘C’, ‘C/E’, ‘F’, ‘Bb/F’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘C/G’, ‘G7’, ‘G’, ‘C/G’, ‘G’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F/C’, ‘C’, ‘C/E’, ‘F’, ‘Bb/F’, ‘F’, ‘C/G’, ‘G’]
