R&B Chord Progressions From Hit Songs
The chord progressions behind Just the Two of Us, Kill Bill, Redbone, Thinkin Bout You and more. Every chord is spelled out, you can switch to any key, hear each loop in your browser and download it as a free MIDI file.
VImaj7 – V7 – i7
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Maj7 on the VI, a dominant V7 that pulls hard back to the minor i7. Many R&B, lo-fi and J-pop songs have reused this loop, which is why it is often just called the "Just the Two of Us" progression.
Tip: The original continues with more chords (a ii–V into the next loop). Start with these three, then add movement at the end of the bar.
ii7 – V7 – I
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The ii–V–I is the backbone of jazz harmony. In R&B it gives a sense of arrival that feels grown-up rather than triumphant.
Tip: Play the ii and V as 7th chords and add a 9th to the I for the full neo-soul colour.
VI – VII – i
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Two major chords step up into the minor tonic. The climb gives every return to the i a small sense of release, which suits a slow, grooving loop.
Tip: Let the bass slide between the chords. The movement in the low end is half the groove.
VI – iv – v – i
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All three primary chords of the minor key are minor, so the loop sounds soft and introspective. Playing them as 7ths makes it dreamy rather than dark.
Tip: Contrast a minor verse with a major chorus, as Thinkin Bout You does (its chorus moves to ii–I–V–vi in the relative major).
ii – I – V – vi
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Starting on the ii instead of the I makes a simple major loop feel lighter. Ending on vi leaves the door open to the minor verse.
Tip: A falsetto melody over a major chorus after a minor verse is an easy, powerful contrast.
IV – iii – ii – I
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The chords walk down the scale one step at a time to the I. A descending line feels like a gradual, emotional release, a classic gospel and soul move.
Tip: Voice the chords so the top note stays close while the bass walks down.
Progressions with a lower-case i are shown in a minor key, the rest in major. Songs often use different chords in different sections; the section is listed for each example. "Song key" is the key of the recording as given in the published transcription.
All 6 R&B and Soul progressions as MIDI, in every key
Every progression on this page in all 12 keys (72 MIDI files, chords and bass on separate tracks, at 96 BPM). You also get our full Chord Progression MIDI Pack (864 files) and The Songwriter's Cheat Sheet (PDF).
Your downloads are ready. Links to the full MIDI pack and the cheat sheet are on their way to your inbox too.
DOWNLOAD R&B MIDI → FULL MIDI PACK CHEAT SHEET PDFWant these progressions as full grooves with bass and drums, or in 6 playing styles? See the Song Starter MIDI Kit ($19) and MIDI Pack PRO ($9).
How R&B progressions work
R&B and soul lean on richer chords than most pop: 7ths, 9ths and ii–V movements borrowed from jazz and gospel. The loops are often still short, but each chord carries more colour, which gives the genre its smooth, late-night sound.
Two families show up again and again: jazz-derived ii–V–I movement (Kill Bill) and minor loops that climb back to the tonic (Redbone, Just the Two of Us).
3 ways to use them in your own songs
- Add the 7th. Most R&B loops sound "right" only once every chord has its 7th (maj7 on I and IV, m7 on ii, iii and vi).
- Use a ii–V to get anywhere. A minor ii chord followed by a dominant V7 leads smoothly into almost any target chord.
- Leave space for the vocal. Rich chords work best with sparse rhythm. Let a Rhodes or pad sustain and keep the drums simple.
Turn the progression into a song
SongwriterMap covers what goes on top of the chords: song structure, hook writing, melody shapes, lyric devices and a 7-point melody check, with an exercise for every item. Try the free demo in your browser.
Quick answers
What chord progressions are used in R&B hit songs?
Common R&B loops include VImaj7 – V7 – i7 (Just the Two of Us); ii7 – V7 – I (Kill Bill); VI – VII – i (Redbone); VI – iv – v – i (Thinkin Bout You); ii – I – V – vi (Thinkin Bout You). Every progression on this page is shown in the key of a real song, with playback and a free MIDI download.
What chord progression does Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington Jr. ft. Bill Withers use?
Just the Two of Us uses VImaj7 – V7 – i7 in the intro and verse: D♭maj7 – C7 – Fm7 in F minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Kill Bill by SZA use?
Kill Bill uses ii7 – V7 – I in the verse: B♭m7 – E♭7 – A♭ in A♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Redbone by Childish Gambino use?
Redbone uses VI – VII – i in the intro and verse: B♭ – C – Dm in D minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Thinkin Bout You by Frank Ocean use?
Thinkin Bout You uses VI – iv – v – i in the verse (all 7th chords): F – Dm – Em – Am in A minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Thinkin Bout You by Frank Ocean use?
Thinkin Bout You uses ii – I – V – vi in the chorus: Dm – C – G – Am in C major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys use?
If I Ain't Got You uses IV – iii – ii – I in the intro and chorus (with 7th chords): C – Bm – Am – G in G major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
Can I use the same chord progression as a hit song?
Yes. Chord progressions are shared building blocks of music, and the loops on this page are used in hundreds of songs. What makes a song yours is the melody, the lyric and the production. (General information, not legal advice.)
Can I download these chord progressions as MIDI?
Yes. Every progression has a free MIDI download in the key and tempo you choose, with the chords and the bass on separate tracks, ready to drag into any DAW.
Sources: chord analyses from published transcriptions: Just the Two of Us, Kill Bill, Redbone, Thinkin Bout You, If I Ain't Got You. Song titles are given for reference only. No lyrics, recordings or sheet music are reproduced, and The Sonic Secrets is not affiliated with any artist or label.