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“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.

“This Masquerade” by George Benson is a jazz/R&B fusion piece with a smooth and laid-back feel. It features a slightly chromatic and sophisticated chord progression, complete with altered extensions and slash chords, resulting in a rich harmonic texture that is both soulful and intricate. The progression has some similarities to other jazz and R&B chord progressions used by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan), and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a song that displays the remarkable depth of harmonic creativity found in their songwriting. The chord progression in the Chorus 4 section of the song is particularly complex. This progressions illustrate the band’s ability to exploit common harmonic devices such as diatonic pivots, modal mixture, and deceptive resolutions, in order to produce beautifully unique and captivating chord sequences.

“Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles, composed by George Harrison, features a complex and stylistically unique chord progression. The song is primarily in the key of D major, with elements of modal interchange (also known as borrowed chords) from both the parallel minor key (D minor) and other modes, including the Mixolydian mode.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Chorus 4

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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)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye: Emaj7 (IΔ7) – C#m7 (vi7) – Bm7 (v7) – Cmaj7 (♭VIΔ7)
2. “On and On” by Erykah Badu: Gmaj7 (IΔ7) – Am7 (ii7) – Em7 (vi7) – F#maj7 (♭VIΔ7)
3. “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker: F#maj7 (IΔ7) – G#m7 (ii7) – C#m7 (vi7) – D#maj7 (♭VIΔ7)

In these examples, you can see similar structures to the progression in “Give Me the Night,” with major seventh and minor seventh chords being used to create a smooth and engaging progression, often with a borrowed major 7th chord from the parallel major key, creating unique and memorable R&B songs.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression starts with the tonic (Fm7), providing a solid foundation for the chorus. It then moves to the subdominant (Bbm7), a common progression that adds tension and anticipation. The following chord, Cm7, introduces even more tension as the dominant (v7) of the key, although it’s a minor seventh chord rather than a major one, which is more common in R&B progressions.

The interesting twist in this progression comes with the next chord, the Dbmaj7, a borrowed chord from the parallel major key (F major). This major 7th chord breaks the tension previously built by the minor chords and adds an unexpected uplifting quality to the chorus. The progression then repeats these four chords, reinforcing the cyclical nature of the chorus and bringing listeners back to the beginning.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

As mentioned earlier, the style of this chord progression is reflective of early 1980s R&B and Funk music. The use of minor seventh chords, including the tonic and subdominant, is characteristic of the soulful and groovy nature of R&B at the time. The addition of the borrowed major 7th chord adds a layer of sophistication and surprise, making the progression more memorable and distinct.

Chords in the Chorus 4 section of Give Me The Night by George Benson are:

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