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“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.

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.

“Rocky Raccoon” by The Beatles incorporates chords commonly associated with the genre of folk or country music. It is primarily built on a repetitive chord progression which consists of Am7, D7sus4, D7, G7, C, and C/B. There’s also a use of plenty of sevenths and suspensions to create a slightly jazzy feel. It’s also worth noting The Beatles’ penchant for chords that provide a mix of major and minor tonalities.

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Beck’s “Say Goodbye” showcases a unique blend of chords that are not commonly heard together in popular music. The mix of major, minor, and borrowed chords creates an interesting and engaging sound. Its distinctive quality can be found in the use of the A# major chord, which is not diatonic to the key of G major.

“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin is characterized by its distinctive blues-rock style and its highly memorable, driving riff. The bulk of the song revolves around the E5 (E power) chord, with occasional transitions to the D5 chord at the beginning of each phrase, giving the song a simple yet highly effective chord progression. The song is in the key of E Mixolydian.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

Dbmaj7 (I), Fm7 (iv), Bbm7 (vi), Cm7 (bII), Dbmaj7 (I), Fm7 (iv), Bbm7 (vi), Cm7 (bII), Dbmaj7 (I), Dbmaj7 (I), Fm7 (iv), Bbm7 (vi), Cm7 (bII), Dbmaj7 (I), Fm7 (iv), Bbm7 (vi), Cm7 (bII), Dbmaj7 (I)

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Borrowed Chord: Cm7 (bII)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder – “As”:
Chord progression: Emaj7 (I), G#m7 (iii), C#m7 (vi), F#m7 (ii), B7sus (V)

2. Al Jarreau – “Mornin’”:
Chord progression: Abmaj7 (I), Dbmaj7 (IV), Cm7 (vi), Fm7 (ii), Bbm7 (v), Eb7 (I)

3. Patrice Rushen – “Forget Me Nots”:
Chord progression: Amaj7 (I), Abm7 (bVII), F#m7 (vi), G#m7 (VII)

These songs share a similar late 70s and early 80s R&B and jazz fusion style, with sophisticated chord progressions, smooth grooves, and a mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords. The progressions make use of extended chords (sevenths) for a lush, harmonically rich sound.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression in verse 2 of “Give Me The Night” starts with a Dbmaj7 followed by Fm7, Bbm7, and Cm7 in a typical I – iv – vi pattern, often found in R&B and jazz songs. However, the Cm7, which is the bII chord, adds a unique borrowed chord element from the Phrygian mode and is responsible for the song’s distinct harmonic texture. This mixture of diatonic and non-diatonic chords provides a tonally rich and interesting progression, while still retaining a sense of familiarity and consonance.

Overall Analysis

“Give Me The Night” is a classic R&B and jazz-infused song by George Benson, released in 1980. The song was written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. It features a smooth, soulful groove, lush harmonies, and a sophisticated chord progression that is characteristic of the late 70s and early 80s R&B and jazz fusion style. The verse of the song makes use of diatonic chords with a few borrowed chords, giving the progression a rich and interesting harmonic content.

Style Analysis

The style of “Give Me The Night” is heavily influenced by the R&B and jazz fusion movement of the late 70s and early 80s. The smooth, soulful groove, combined with the harmonic sophistication provided by the chord progression, is characteristic of the era’s popular music. The choice of lush, extended chords (sevenths) contributes to the song’s silky and jazz-infused sound. Furthermore, the Phrygian element introduced through the borrowed chord is indicative of the experimental and genre-blending musical approaches common in that period.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Give Me The Night by George Benson are:

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