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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.

“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.

The song “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is written in C minor key, and the overall structure of the song consists of a verse, pre-chorus, and a chorus. The progression is simple yet effective in creating a dark and moody atmosphere, consistent with the industrial rock genre that characterizes Nine Inch Nails’ music.

Pre-Chorus 1 –

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“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is a repetitive, hypnotic song that relies on a dark tonality and electronic elements to create its unique sound. This is achieved with the use of only two chords: Cm7 and F. Notably, a distinctive feature of this song is the lack of chordal diversity which aids in creating a minimal, industrial vibe.

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“Time to Pretend” by MGMT is a psychedelic pop/rock song that incorporates elements of electronic and indie rock music. The chord progression in the pre-chorus, which we will specifically analyze, shows MGMT’s experimentation with harmonic structure, drawing influences from both traditional classical and popular music techniques.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Pre-Chorus 1

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Chord Progression

Dbmaj7, Bbm7, Db/F, Db/Eb

Chord Progression Analysis

Dbmaj7 (I), Bbm7 (vi), Db/F (I6), Db/Eb (I6/4)

“`
Dbmaj7 (I): The tonic chord, which sets the overall key for the progression
Bbm7 (vi): A borrowed chord from the parallel minor scale that adds a hint of darkness
Db/F (I6): The first inversion of the tonic chord for smooth voice leading and continued stability
Db/Eb (I6/4): The second inversion tonic chord, which provides a suspension before resolving back to the main progression or repetiton
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder, “Isn’t She Lovely”:
Dmaj7 (I), Bm7 (vi), D/F# (I6), Gmaj7/A (IV6/4)

2. Earth, Wind & Fire, “September”:
F#maj7 (I), D#m7 (vi), F#/A# (I6), F#/G# (I6/4)

3. Daft Punk, “Get Lucky” (verse):
Bbmaj7 (I), Gm7 (vi), Bb/F (I6), Bb/Eb (I6/4)

Musical Analysis

This pre-chorus is an excellent example of a common-tone modulation that showcases the versatility of the tonic chord as it moves seamlessly between its inversions. The primary role of the pre-chorus is to build tension and anticipation before the arrival of the chorus section. This is achieved by moving away from the tonic, then coming back to it through the inversions, and finally introducing the suspension with Db/Eb. This suspension eventually resolves either by reiterating the progression or approaching the main chorus.

Overall Analysis

“Give Me The Night” is a smooth jazz, R&B, and funk-infused composition by George Benson. The pre-chorus is particularly interesting, as it features a brief but captivating chord progression that navigates through a variety of moods before looping back to the main progression or chorus of the song.

Style Analysis

The feel of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” is due to its cohesive blend of R&B, funk, and smooth jazz. The chord progression in the pre-chorus contributes to this combination, as the smooth Dbmaj7 and Bbm7 chords create a sense of relaxed sophistication often found in jazz, while the use of borrowed chords adds a touch of darkness and soulfulness common to R&B styles. The rhythmic feel and groove present in the entire track is also heavily influenced by funk music.

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

Dbmaj7, Bbm7, Db/F, Db/Eb