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“Just The Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. is an easy-listening song, falling under R&B and jazz genres. It’s a classic example of the use of major 7th, dominant 7th, and minor 7th chords to create a rich, smooth harmonic texture. The chord progression is quite repetitive and follows a mixture of diatonic and chromatic movement.

“Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. is a sample gold mine for those interested in jazz, soul, and RnB influenced chord progressions. This song, co-written with Bill Withers, perfectly illustrates the fusion of jazz and pop music. The song is primarily in C Major key but it makes significant use of secondary dominant chords, and borrowed chords from parallel keys which are typical characteristics of jazz-inflected pop.

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” is a complex and somewhat unconventional progression. It primarily features chords from the E natural minor scale, with some borrowed chords from the parallel E major scale. The progression creates an atmospheric and moody soundscape that is characteristic of Pink Floyd’s music, especially in their album “Wish You Were Here.” It also displays a certain level of sophistication in the harmony which underscores Pink Floyd’s musical depth.

The chord progression in Muse’s “Endlessly” from Verse 2 is a mix of diatonic chords and a borrowed chord from the parallel major key. The progression has a melancholic feel, utilizing suspended chords to create tension and release. The use of both minor and major chords provides a balanced sound, giving the piece its unique character.

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Radiohead’s “Nude” showcases a unique blend of minor and major chords within the key of E major, highlighting the band’s signature non-traditional approach to harmony. It features borrowed chords, as well as chromatic and diatonic motion between some chords.

Grover Washington Jr. – Just The Two Of Us – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

[‘Cmaj7’, ‘B7’, ‘Em7’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G7’, ‘Cmaj7’, ‘B7’, ‘Em7’, ‘Cmaj7’, ‘B7’, ‘Em7’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G7’, ‘Cmaj7’, ‘B7’, ‘Em7’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here’s the Verse 2 chord progression with full chord names and roman numerals:

“`
C Major Seventh (♭VI)
B Dominant Seventh (V)
E Minor Seventh (i)
D Minor Seventh (♭VII)
G Dominant Seventh (♭III)
C Major Seventh (♭VI)
B Dominant Seventh (V)
E Minor Seventh (i)
C Major Seventh (♭VI)
B Dominant Seventh (V)
E Minor Seventh (i)
D Minor Seventh (♭VII)
G Dominant Seventh (♭III)
C Major Seventh (♭VI)
B Dominant Seventh (V)
E Minor Seventh (i)
“`
In this context, the chords C Major Seventh and D Minor Seventh can be considered borrowed chords.

Similar Chord Progressions

While it’s difficult to find an exact match, some songs carry similar chords or themes including “My Cherie Amour” by Stevie Wonder, which contains a vi V ii progression in its chorus similar to the “Just The Two Of Us” verse progression, and “At Last” by Etta James follows a similar harmonic pattern with the I-VI-II-V progression in its key verse sections. Stevie Wonder’s song “Isn’t She Lovely” also has a similar jazz-inflected sound, panache, and switch from minor to major chords.

Musical Analysis

This chord progression contributes tremendously to the song’s soulful and slightly melancholic flavor. The transition from the B Dominant Seventh to E Minor Seventh forms a classic V-i harmonic progression, which creates the strong sense of resolution familiar to all genres of western music. However, the frequent employment of borrowed chords from the parallel major (particularly C Major Seventh and D Minor Seventh) brings bright color, which further enriches the harmonic texture.

Overall Analysis

“Just The Two Of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. is a soulful song with a distinct R&B and smooth jazz style. The song is in the key of E minor during the verses, but frequently borrows chords from the parallel major, E major, delivering a rich harmony that is both pleasing and surprising to the ear.

Style Analysis

Given its elegant mixture of soul, R&B, and jazz elements, the song has a very unique yet universal appeal. The jazzy vibe is unmistakable, especially due to the frequent use of 7th chords and chord extensions, adding sophistication and complexity to the music. The song’s stripped-down instrumentation allows listeners to focus on the rich harmonic and melodic content instead.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Just The Two Of Us by Grover Washington Jr. are:

[‘Cmaj7’, ‘B7’, ‘Em7’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G7’, ‘Cmaj7’, ‘B7’, ‘Em7’, ‘Cmaj7’, ‘B7’, ‘Em7’, ‘Dm7’, ‘G7’, ‘Cmaj7’, ‘B7’, ‘Em7’]