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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 bridge of George Benson’s “Give Me The Night” features a blend of jazz, R&B, and pop elements. The harmonic progression showcases a series of descending chords, interspersed with borrowed chords that provide an interesting twist to the overall tonality of the piece.

“Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix is a classic and influential rock song released in 1967. The chord progression featured in Verse 3 of this song has a bluesy, psychedelic sound that typifies Hendrix’s style. The use of the E7#9 chord, also known as the “Hendrix chord,” adds a sense of tension and dissonance, which contributes to the edgy and innovative nature of the song.

“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley is a popular and iconic song that showcases Jeff Buckley’s unique vocal talent and emotional delivery. The song is in the key of C major and features a simple yet effective chord progression. The song’s memorable melody is accompanied by guitar, which uses arpeggiated fingerpicking. This adds to its musical depth and also creates dynamic rhythmic interest. The song builds in intensity as it progresses, and this, along with the powerful lyrics, contributes to the overall emotional impact of the piece.

This is simply a repetition of the F major chord, played four times. This does not provide much variety or harmonic interest, but it might create a sense of stability and could be used to produce a strong tonal center.

George Benson – Give Me The Night – Verse 3

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

Db/Eb (bII), Fm7 (iv7), Bbm7 (i7), Cm7 (ii7), Dbmaj7 (bII∆7),
Fm7 (iv7), Bbm7 (i7), Cm7 (ii7), Dbmaj7 (bII∆7), Dbmaj7 (bII∆7),
Fm7 (iv7), Bbm7 (i7), Cm7 (ii7), Dbmaj7 (bII∆7), Fm7 (iv7),
Bbm7 (i7), Cm7 (ii7), Dbmaj7 (bII∆7)

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Borrowed Chord:
Db/Eb (bII)
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Similar Chord Progressions

1. Stevie Wonder – “As”
Chord progression: Emaj7 (I∆7), C#m7 (vi7), F#m7 (ii7), B7 (V7), Emaj7 (I∆7), C#m7 (vi7), F#m7 (ii7), B7 (V7)
2. Al Jarreau – “Mornin’”
Chord progression: Amaj9 (I∆9), F#m9 (vi9), Dmaj7 (IV∆7), E7sus4 (V7sus4), A13 (I13), F#m7 (vi7), Dmaj7 (IV∆7), G#m7b5 (iiø7)
3. Michael Jackson – “Human Nature”
Chord progression: Dmaj7 (I∆7), Bm7 (vi7), Em9 (ii9), F#m7 (iii7), Em9 (ii9), A13 (V13), Dmaj7 (I∆7), Bm7 (vi7), Gmaj13 (IV13), A9 (V9)

Musical Analysis

In the given chord progression, the harmony is predominantly centered around the Bbm7 (i7) chord, which suggests the tonality is Bb Dorian. The use of Db/Eb (bII) chord is a borrowed chord that is commonly used in this type of music to add tension and interest to the progression. It is borrowed from Phrygian mode, substituting a diatonic IImaj7 chord while keeping the Bb Dorian tonal center.

The extended chords such as Fm7 (iv7) and Cm7 (ii7) further enhance the jazz-influenced sound and contribute to the smoothness of the chord progression. The Dbmaj7 (bII∆7) chord provides a contrasting major quality and serves as a chromatic passing chord leading back to Fm7 (iv7).

Overall Analysis

“Give Me The Night” by George Benson features a smooth jazz and funk-influenced style. The chord progression in Verse 3 demonstrates a strong use of extended and altered chords, which create a richer texture and interesting harmonic movement. This particular chord progression is reminiscent of other popular songs from the same period and genre, displaying the influence of jazz harmony on contemporary R&B and pop music.

Style Analysis

In terms of style, “Give Me The Night” showcases George Benson’s combination of R&B, funk, and jazz elements. The chord progression itself is heavily jazz-influenced, featuring extended chords and chromaticism to create a sophisticated sound. The groove of the song is rhythmically driven by the funk-inspired bassline and drum pattern. Additionally, the melodic phrasing and vocal style of George Benson further solidify the song’s overall R&B and smooth jazz aesthetic.

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

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