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The chord progression in the pre-chorus of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” can be described as a smooth, jazzy, and mellow progression influenced by R&B and jazz-funk styles. It features a combination of diatonic chords and extensions, which create a sense of sophistication and complexity.

The chord progression in the chorus of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” is an example of a smooth and groovy R&B progression from the early 1980s. It has a mix of minor chords, a major chord, and a major 7th chord, creating a soulful and slightly melancholic character. The progressions use diatonic chords from the F minor scale, with a hint of modal interchange.

“Castles Made of Sand” by Jimi Hendrix is a psychedelic rock song that features a unique chord progression and distinctive guitar techniques that were ahead of its time. The song was released in 1967 on the album “Axis: Bold as Love” and showcases Hendrix’s innovative approach to guitar playing and songwriting.

“Today” by The Smashing Pumpkins is composed in the key of E minor. The song has quite a simple structure and harmony with a strong emphasis on the I-IV-V (D-G-A in E minor key) chord progression which is one of the most common patterns in popular music. This I-IV-V progression vests the song with its harmonic backbone and creates a strong, wide-open sonic canvas.

This chord progression is from the song, “Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen, which is known for its complex and intricate progressions. The song is set in the key of C major, and it features a mixture of triadic major and minor chords, dominant sevenths and the common use of borrowed and secondary dominant chords to create tension. This creates a lot of harmonic interest.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Chorus 3

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Chord Progression

Db/Eb, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7

Chord Progression Analysis

Db/Eb (sus♭II), Fm7 (vi7), Bbm7 (i7), Cm7 (ii7 borrowed from Db minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (vi7), Bbm7 (i7), Cm7 (ii7 borrowed from Db minor), Dbmaj7 (Imaj7)

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Cm7 is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key.
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder – Overjoyed:
Bmaj7 (Imaj7), Gm7 (vi7), Cm7 (ii7), F#m7 (v7), Bmaj7 (Imaj7), Gm7 (vi7), Cm7 (ii7), F#m7 (v7), Bmaj7 (Imaj7)

2. Michael Jackson – Human Nature:
Dmaj7 (Imaj7), Bm7 (vi7), C#m7 (ii7 borrowed from D minor), F#m7 (iii7), Dmaj7 (Imaj7), Bm7 (vi7), C#m7 (ii7 borrowed from D minor), F#m7 (iii7), Dmaj7 (Imaj7)

3. Earth, Wind & Fire – After the Love Has Gone:
Abmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (vi7), Bbm7 (ii7), Ebmaj7 (V7), Abmaj7 (Imaj7), Fm7 (vi7), Bbm7 (ii7), Db/Eb (sus♭II)

Musical Analysis

The chord progression begins with a Db/Eb slash chord, which acts as an extended chord that creates tension and harmonic ambiguity. The following sequence of Fm7, Bbm7, and the borrowed Cm7 creates a sense of motion and movement in the piece. The resolution to the Dbmaj7 provides a sense of stability and release before the progression repeats.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the chorus of “Give Me The Night” by George Benson demonstrates the use of extended and borrowed chords. The progression consists of a mix of diatonic chords and chords borrowed from the parallel minor, which is a characteristic of jazz and R&B music. The use of the Db/Eb also adds a layer of harmonic ambiguity that creates tension, enriching the overall sound of the piece.

Style Analysis

“Give Me The Night” is a blend of jazz, R&B, and pop elements. The use of extended chords, borrowed chords, and harmonic ambiguity are characteristics commonly found in jazz and R&B music. The repetitive nature of the progression also reflects the influence of pop music on the piece.

Chords in the Chorus 3 section of Give Me The Night by George Benson are:

Db/Eb, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7