Standards · 1947
Midnight Sun chords & key
- Key
- C major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 50
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
- Year
- 1947
“Midnight Sun” is a jazz standard by Hampton-Burke-Mercer from 1947. Most bands play it in C major, medium swing; the tune runs 50 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences and 1 minor ii–V–i, uses 23 different chords and moves between the key centres C major, E minor and D major. In this atlas it appears on 7 album tracks.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — C major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Cmaj7×9
- F9♯11×6
- B♭maj7×6
- E♭9♯11×6
- A♭maj7×6
- D♭9♯11×6
Key centres reached by ii–V
C major, E minor and D major
Characteristics
- AABA song form
History
"Midnight Sun" was originally an instrumental composed by Lionel Hampton and Sonny Burke in 1947 and is now considered a jazz standard. Subsequently, Johnny Mercer wrote the words to the song.
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Recorded on these albums
Frequently asked questions
What key is Midnight Sun in?
Midnight Sun is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
Who wrote Midnight Sun?
Midnight Sun was written by Hampton-Burke-Mercer (1947).
What is the form of Midnight Sun?
Midnight Sun has 4 sections (AABA) with 50 bars in total.
How fast is Midnight Sun played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Midnight Sun?
The opening bars are Cmaj7 | C6 Cmaj7 | Cm7 F9#11 | F9#11 B7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.