Music Theory Alchemy

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The outro of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” features a smooth, soulful chord progression that is common to jazz, R&B, and pop music. The progression has a descending movement with alternating minor 7th and major 7th chords. This repetition creates a sense of ambience and resolution, making it an ideal conclusion to the song.

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.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Pre-Chorus 4

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Chord Progression

Dbmaj7, Bbm7, Db/F, Db/Eb

Chord Progression Analysis

Dbmaj7 (I maj7) – Bbm7 (vi m7) – Db/F (I 6/3) – Db/Eb (I 6/4)

Similar Chord Progressions

Musical Analysis

The first chord, Dbmaj7, firmly establishes the tonal center of the progression as Db major. Following that is Bbm7, which is the vi chord and a diatonic chord in the key of Db major as well. The progression then moves to Db/F, which is the I chord with an inversion, specifically in first inversion, with the third of the chord, F, in the bass. The final chord is Db/Eb, which is another inversion of the I chord (Db). In this case, it is in the second inversion with the fifth of the chord, Eb, in the bass.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

The use of seventh chords and inversions in this progression is characteristic of jazz, R&B, and funk styles that George Benson is known for. The movement between diatonic chords creates a sense of stability, while the inversions of the I chord add interest and tension.

Similar Chord Progressions by Other Artists and Songs:
1. Stevie Wonder – “Isn’t She Lovely”
Fmaj7 (I maj7) – Dm7 (vi m7) – F/C (I 6/3) – F/Bb (I 6/4)

2. Earth, Wind & Fire – “After The Love Has Gone”
Bbmaj7 (I maj7) – Gm7 (vi m7) – Bb/Eb (I 6/4) – Bb/D (I 6/3)

3. Bill Withers – “Just The Two of Us”
Fm7 (ii m7) – Ebmaj7 (I maj7) – Fm7 (ii m7) – Gm7 (iii m7)

While these examples may not be an exact match, they exhibit similar components, such as the use of seventh chords, inversions, and movement between diatonic chords, that lend them a similar jazz, R&B, and funk style to the pre-chorus progression from “Give Me The Night.”

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

Dbmaj7, Bbm7, Db/F, Db/Eb