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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Give Me The Night” by George Benson is a jazz-fusion piece with a strong R&B and pop influence. The pre-chorus utilizes a smooth harmonic progression, involving the use of common jazz chords and inversions. The progression is primarily diatonic, with a few chromatic alterations, allowing for a sense of tension and resolution that contributes to the overall groove and smooth melody.

The pre-chorus section of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” is a smooth and interesting progression that exhibits characteristics of the jazz, funk, and R&B styles. It features a mix of seventh chords and inversions, and utilizes both diatonic and borrowed chords from the parallel minor key.

The progression for the song is tuned to a standard E Standard (E A D G B E) and it is in the key of G.

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles is in the minor mode and its chord progression showcases rich harmonic content and unexpected key changes, common to The Beatles’ music. Harmonically, it features an interesting mixture of chords from the parallel major and minor keys, which is indicative of modal interchange, a key characteristic of The Beatles’ songwriting.

“Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen exhibits rich harmonic complexity that falls within the signature rock style of the band. This is evident in the fluctuation between major and minor chord quality, frequent use of 7th chords as well as borrowed chords from the parallel minor. The progression moves fluidly between the tonics, subdominants, and dominants, with a strong cadential movement towards the end that resolves the tension built upon earlier in the piece.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Chorus 1

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Chord Progression

Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7

Chord Progression Analysis

Fm7 (i7), Bbm7 (iv7), Cm7 (v7), Dbmaj7 (♭VIΔ7), Fm7 (i7), Bbm7 (iv7), Cm7 (v7), Dbmaj7 (♭VIΔ7)
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Borrowed Chord: Dbmaj7 (♭VIΔ7)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely?”
Chord progression: Am7 (vi7), D7 (V7/ii), Gmaj7 (IVΔ7), Cmaj7 (IΔ7), F#m7 (iii7), B7(♮9) (V7/iii), Em7 (ii7), A7(♮9) (V7/ii)

2. Michael Jackson – “Human Nature”
Chord progression: Dmaj7 (IΔ7), E7 (V7), F#m7 (iii7), Gmaj7 (IVΔ7), A7sus (V7sus), A7 (V7)

These examples showcase similar harmonic structures, where chords from the parallel major or minor key are borrowed or unexpected, creating a rich and sophisticated sound that is a hallmark of the late-’70s and early-’80s musical styles.

Musical Analysis

The progression begins with a i7-iv7-v7, which is a common progression found in minor keys, and it adds a sense of tension and release. However, the Dbmaj7 chord that follows is a borrowed chord from the parallel major key (F major). This chord adds an unexpected major sound to the progression and creates a subtle but effective modulation, resulting in a richer harmonic palette. As the progression repeats, it reinforces this harmonic structure, giving the listener a chance to absorb and appreciate its nuances.

Overall Analysis

The chorus of “Give Me The Night” by George Benson features a smooth chord progression that explores both diatonic and borrowed chords, creating a sophisticated sound that is characteristic of the jazz and R&B styles prevalent in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The progression is comprised of chords that stem from the Fm7 key but also includes a borrowed Dbmaj7 chord.

Style Analysis

“Give Me The Night” is a blend of jazz, R&B, and pop, and its chord progression is emblematic of these genres, with its smooth voice leading, diatonic and borrowed chords, and lush harmonies. The use of the borrowed chord, in combination with the syncopated rhythm and instrumentation of the song, creates a contemporary and polished sound that was popular during the late ’70s and early ’80s.

Chords in the Chorus 1 section of Give Me The Night by George Benson are:

Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7