Music Theory Alchemy

Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You” is a romantic ballad featuring a smooth and melodic chord progression characteristic of the pop and jazz fusion genres. The Verse’s chord progression contains some elements of a standard jazz progression while also making use of several borrowed chords. The chords contribute to the warm and sentimental atmosphere that captures the essence of the song’s theme.

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.

The song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles is cheerful and upbeat, with accessible melodies that catch the audience’s attention immediately. The rhythm is contagious and gives a happy atmosphere to the whole song. It is a perfect example of the early influences of rock ‘n’ roll on The Beatles, with a chord progression that is quite common in pop/rock music but showcases The Beatles’ ability to create fresh and unique melodic ideas.

“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is a song in the key of B minor, although it freely borrows chords from the parallel major key. The song’s structure is as follows: Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus – Instrumental.

“The song When Doves Cry” by Prince features a very distinctive chord progression in its chorus section. Technically the song is written in a minor key, but the progression tends to flow in a way that feels almost like a major key at times. This is a common characteristic of many Prince songs, signifying the unique and innovative style of the artist.

George Benson – Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You – Chorus

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

Chord Progression

Db, Gbmaj7, Ab, F7, Bbm, Eb7, Gb, Ab7, Db, Gbmaj7, Ab, F7, Bbm, Eb7, Gb, Ab, Db, Gbmaj7, Ab, F7, Bbm, Eb7, Gb, Ab7, Db

Chord Progression Analysis

Db Major (I) – Gbmaj7 (iv7) – Ab Major (V) – F7 (VI7) – Bbm (ii) – Eb7 (II7) – Gb Major (IV) – Ab7 (V7)
Db Major (I) – Gbmaj7 (iv7) – Ab Major (V) – F7 (VI7) – Bbm (ii) – Eb7 (II7) – Gb Major (IV) – Ab Major (V)
Db Major (I) – Gbmaj7 (iv7) – Ab Major (V) – F7 (VI7) – Bbm (ii) – Eb7 (II7) – Gb Major (IV) – Ab7 (V7)
Db Major (I)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr.
Bbmaj7 (I7) – Gm7 (vi7) – Am7 (ii7) – Abmaj7 (bVII7) – Gm7 (vi7) – C7 (V7)

2. “Killing Me Softly with His Song” by Roberta Flack
F#m7 (ii7) – B7 (V7) – E Major (I) – A7 (IV7) – Am7 (iv7) – B7 (V7) – E Major (I)

These songs feature similar chord progressions that mix diatonic, borrowed, and secondary-dominant chords, creating a harmonic richness and emotional appeal. They showcase sophisticated harmonies and smooth transitions, demonstrating the influence of jazz and pop styles in their composition.

Musical Analysis

The chorus begins with a tonic chord, Db Major, followed by a borrowed chord, Gbmaj7 (iv7), which introduces a smooth and emotional transition. The piece then moves to Ab Major (V), building towards the dominant function. The F7 (VI7) is a borrowed secondary dominant chord that adds a touch of bluesy tension before resolving to the Bbm (ii) chord.

The following Eb7 (II7) is a secondary dominant chord that prepares for the Gb Major (IV) chord. The progression moves back to Ab7 (V7), creating a strong dominant to tonic resolution to Db Major (I), which firmly re-establishes the tonic. The progression then repeats, with its expressive harmonies, offering stability and a sense of conclusion.

Overall Analysis

“Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You” by George Benson is a romantic ballad in the key of Db major. The piece features a soothing and harmonically rich chord progression that is characteristic of the pop/jazz fusion style popular in the late 70s and 80s. The chorus features a mix of diatonic, borrowed, and secondary-dominant chords, creating an expressive palette of colors and tensions. This progression shares similarities with other ballads and pop songs from the era.

Style Analysis

Benson’s chord progression exhibits stylistic elements of both pop and jazz fusion. The combination of diatonic, borrowed, and secondary dominant chords showcases sophisticated harmony and creates a lush and colorful sonic landscape. Such harmonic richness is a hallmark of jazz fusion, while the resolution of tension and repetition of the progression are pop music traits.

Chords in the Chorus section of Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You by George Benson are:

Db, Gbmaj7, Ab, F7, Bbm, Eb7, Gb, Ab7, Db, Gbmaj7, Ab, F7, Bbm, Eb7, Gb, Ab, Db, Gbmaj7, Ab, F7, Bbm, Eb7, Gb, Ab7, Db