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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

“Give Me The Night” is a jazz-funk composition with a rich harmonic texture and a catchy melody. It was produced by Quincy Jones and released in 1980. The verse chord progression of this piece features a series of diatonic seventh chords, with one borrowed chord from a parallel minor key, which are common to the jazz and R&B styles.

“Tiny Dancer” by Elton John, written in the key of C Major, is a classic example of elaborate pop song writing. The chord progression features common primary and secondary chords in the key of C Major, along with some borrowed chords to add color. This combination makes for a memorable and melodic song.

The most unique feature of the song is how it slowly changes to the key of C minor in the second half of the verse, making use of two borrowed chords. This is a powerful tool in songwriting, as it can dramatically affect the emotional tone of the song. Lastly, this song demonstrates Elton John’s use of Coloristic harmony, through chromatically altered chords.

The chord progression of the verse in Weezer’s “If You’re Wondering If I Want You To I Want You To” uses a combination of diatonic and borrowed chords in the key of D Major. The use of the borrowed chord from the parallel minor key contributes to the unique sound of the progression.

“Knives Out” by Radiohead features a chord progression that combines elements of rock and jazz with a touch of chromaticism. The harmony is based in the key of C minor, but it also borrows chords from the parallel major key, creating an interesting mix of major and minor tonalities. The overall feel of the piece is melancholic and introspective, with various chord relationships contributing to this mood.

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

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Chord Progression

C, G/B, Am, Em/G, Fmaj7, C/E, Dm, G, C, G/B, Am, Em/G, Fmaj7, C/E, Dm, F/G, E, Fmaj7, C/E, Bb, Fmaj7, Dm7, C, F, F/G, G

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
C (I)
G/B (V6)
Am (vi)
Em/G (iii6)
Fmaj7 (IVmaj7)
C/E (I6)
Dm (ii)
G (V)
C (I)
G/B (V6)
Am (vi)
Em/G (iii6)
Fmaj7 (IVmaj7)
C/E (I6)
Dm (ii)
F/G (IV6/5)
E (V/vi)
Fmaj7 (IVmaj7)
C/E (I6)
Bb (♭VII)
Fmaj7 (IVmaj7)
Dm7 (ii7)
C (I)
F (IV)
F/G (IV6/5)
G (V)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel:
“`
C (I)
Em (iii)
Am (vi)
F (IV)
C (I)
E (V/vi)
Am (vi)
“`

2. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston/Dolly Parton:
“`
A (I)
E/G# (V6)
F#m (vi)
C#m7 (iii7)
Dmaj7 (IVmaj7)
A/C# (I6)
Bm7 (ii7)
E (V)
“`

3. “Careless Whisper” by George Michael:
“`
Dm (i)
Gm7♭5 (iv7♭5)
Am7 (v7)
A♭maj7 (♭VIIM7)
Gm (iv)
A (V)
“`

Musical Analysis

The Verse of the song begins with a I-V-vi movement, creating a strong sense of resolution. The iii6 chord adds some emotional depth and tension before resolving to the IVmaj7 chord, which further contributes to the romantic atmosphere of the song. The I6 chord emphasizes the tonic chord and leads to the ii-V-I progression, giving a temporary sense of closure.

The second half of the verse follows a similar pattern, with some deviations. The IV6/5 chord provides a unique twist, leading to the V/vi chord which functions as a secondary dominant chord, hinting at a temporary shift in tonality. The ♭VII chord is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor, emphasizing the heartfelt emotion of the lyrics. The ii7 and I chords re-establish the tonality, and the IV-IV6/5-V movement at the end of the Verse provides a strong cadential resolution, preparing for the next section of the song.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

The style of “Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You” draws from a mixture of pop and jazz genres. The smooth chord progression, melodies, and romantic nature of the song are characteristic of pop ballads from the 1980s. At the same time, George Benson’s background in jazz is evident in the more sophisticated harmonies, secondary dominant chords, and the IVmaj7 and ii7 chords, commonly used in jazz progressions.

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

C, G/B, Am, Em/G, Fmaj7, C/E, Dm, G, C, G/B, Am, Em/G, Fmaj7, C/E, Dm, F/G, E, Fmaj7, C/E, Bb, Fmaj7, Dm7, C, F, F/G, G