Song DNA
Genre
Soul
Era
70s
Mood
Melancholic
Tempo
Slow
Key
Minor
Texture
Sparse
Sound
Vocal-focused
Feel
Groovy
Released in 1971 as Bill Withers' breakout hit, this track redefined soul music with its minimalist production and raw, vulnerable delivery. Its famous 'I know' refrain and blues-infused structure turned a reflection on destructive relationships into a universal anthem of heartbreak.
The harmony is distinct for its stark simplicity and reliance on natural minor. By avoiding the leading tone (G#) found in a major V chord, Bill Withers maintains a somber, grounded atmosphere. The movement from Em to Dm to Am is a quintessential soul-blues de…
Bill Withers wrote the song while he was still working at Weber Aircraft in Burbank, California, making toilet seats for Boeing 747s. The song's most famous feature, the repetition of the phrase 'I know' 26 times, was originally intended to be a placeholder fo…
“Withers was 31 years old when the song was recorded, an unusually late start for a debut artist.”
The harmony is distinct for its stark simplicity and reliance on natural minor. By avoiding the leading tone (G#) found in a major V chord, Bill Withers maintains a somber, grounded atmosphere. The movement from Em to Dm to Am is a quintessential soul-blues device, emphasizing a downward emotional pull that complements the lyrics. The repetitive nature of the i-v-VII-i progression allows the rhythmic 'I know' breakdown to carry the emotional weight without requiring complex harmonic shifts.
Bill Withers wrote the song while he was still working at Weber Aircraft in Burbank, California, making toilet seats for Boeing 747s. The song's most famous feature, the repetition of the phrase 'I know' 26 times, was originally intended to be a placeholder for more lyrics. However, at the suggestion of the session musicians, Withers decided to leave it as it was recorded.
Released in 1971 as Bill Withers' breakout hit, this track redefined soul music with its minimalist production and raw, vulnerable delivery. Its famous 'I know' refrain and blues-infused structure turned a reflection on destructive relationships into a universal anthem of heartbreak.
Detailed analysis of this section is not yet available for this song.
Genre
Soul
Era
70s
Mood
Melancholic
Tempo
Slow
Key
Minor
Texture
Sparse
Sound
Vocal-focused
Feel
Groovy
13.4M
Plays
1.8M
Listeners
799K
Genius Views
3
Annotations
100%
Popularity
2:04
Duration
4/4
Time
From the album Just As I Am
Harmony The harmony is distinct for its stark simplicity and reliance on natural minor. By avoiding the leading tone (G#) found in a major V chord, Bill Withers maintains a somber, grounded atmosphere. The movement from Em to Dm to Am is a quintessential soul-blues device, emphasizing a downward emotional pull that complements the lyrics. The repetitive nature of the i-v-VII-i progression allows the rhythmic 'I know' breakdown to carry the emotional weight without requiring complex harmonic shifts. Deep Analysis Available Detailed analysis of this section is not yet available for this song. Request Full Analysis
No musician information available for this song yet.
Composition Bill Withers wrote the song while he was still working at Weber Aircraft in Burbank, California, making toilet seats for Boeing 747s. The song's most famous feature, the repetition of the phrase 'I know' 26 times, was originally intended to be a placeholder for more lyrics. However, at the suggestion of the session musicians, Withers decided to leave it as it was recorded. Inspiration: The 1962 movie 'Days of Wine and Roses' starring Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick. Withers was moved by the characters' struggles with alcoholism and the concept of missing something that was ultimately bad for you. Recording Studio: Sunset Sound Recorders, Studio 3 Producer: Booker T. Jones Withers was 31 years old when the song was recorded, an unusually late start for a debut artist. The song was originally released as the B-side to the single 'Harlem', but radio DJs preferred 'Ain't No Sunshine' and began playing it instead. The label, Sussex Records, presented Withers with a gold toilet seat to commemorate the song's success, referencing his previous job.
Chord Sheet Chords Used Hide functions Am7 i7 T Em7 v7 D G VII D Am7 i7 T Progression by Section Refrain Em7 v7 D Dm7 iv7 P Am7 i7 T Verse Am7 i7 T Em7 v7 D G VII T Am7 i7 T Chord Fingerings Am7 Standard Em7 Standard G Standard Am7 Standard Harmony Analysis The harmony is distinct for its stark simplicity and reliance on natural minor. By avoiding the leading tone (G#) found in a major V chord, Bill Withers maintains a somber, grounded atmosphere. The movement from Em to Dm to Am is a quintessential soul-blues device, emphasizing a downward emotional pull that complements the lyrics. The repetitive nature of the i-v-VII-i progression allows the rhythmic 'I know' breakdown to carry the emotional weight without requiring complex harmonic shifts. Find Tabs & Chords Songsterr Interactive tabs Ultimate Guitar Chords & tabs Cifra Club Chords
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