Your Song Chords
Elton John
Your Song by Elton John is in the key of Eb Major. Chord progression: I–IVmaj7–V/I–iii–vi–vi/V–viiø7/IV–IV–I/V–V–V/vi–vi–ii7–IV–V–I.
Elton John (1970)
Elton John, Bernie Taupin
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Chords Used
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Chorus
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At a glance
- Key
- Eb Major
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Main progression
- I–IVmaj7–V/I–iii–vi–vi/V–viiø7/IV–IV–I/V–V–V/vi–vi–ii7–IV–V–I
- Chords used
- Bb/D · Cm · Fm7 · Ab · Cm/Bb · Eb · Bb · Abmaj7 · Gm · Am7b5 · Eb/Bb · G/B
Summary
As the breakthrough hit for the John-Taupin songwriting duo, this 1970 ballad redefined the singer-songwriter genre through its innocent lyrics and sophisticated piano arrangement. Its enduring popularity transformed a modest B-side into one of the most covered and beloved love songs in music history.
Musical Analysis
Unlike standard I-IV-V pop songs, 'Your Song' utilizes classical voice leading and jazz-adjacent harmonic sophistication. The 'lament bass' (Cm to Ab) is a Baroque-era device that adds gravitas, while the use of inversions (Bb/D, Eb/Bb) ensures a melodic bass…
History
Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics while eating breakfast at the home of Elton John's mother. He handed the lyrics to Elton, who sat down at the piano and composed the melody in approximately 20 minutes.
“The song was originally recorded by Three Dog Night for their album 'It Ain't Easy', but they allowed Elton John to release it as a single first.”
Full musical analysis
Unlike standard I-IV-V pop songs, 'Your Song' utilizes classical voice leading and jazz-adjacent harmonic sophistication. The 'lament bass' (Cm to Ab) is a Baroque-era device that adds gravitas, while the use of inversions (Bb/D, Eb/Bb) ensures a melodic bass line that mimics the complexity of a solo piano arrangement. The harmonic rhythm is dense, often changing chords every two beats, which mirrors the conversational and earnest nature of Bernie Taupin's lyrics.
Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics while eating breakfast at the home of Elton John's mother. He handed the lyrics to Elton, who sat down at the piano and composed the melody in approximately 20 minutes.
As the breakthrough hit for the John-Taupin songwriting duo, this 1970 ballad redefined the singer-songwriter genre through its innocent lyrics and sophisticated piano arrangement. Its enduring popularity transformed a modest B-side into one of the most covered and beloved love songs in music history.
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Song DNA
Genre
Pop
Era
70s
Mood
Tender
Tempo
Ballad
Key
Major
Texture
Layered
Sound
Piano-led
Feel
Straight
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Statistics
9.5M
Plays
1.4M
Listeners
4.1M
Genius Views
10
Annotations
100%
Popularity
3:30
Duration
4/4
Time
Credits
Written by
Produced by
From the album Elton John
Compilations
- Greatest Hits1974
- The Superior Sound of Elton John: 1970-19751983