Baby, Won't You Please Come Home (E minor) - Jazz Analysis & Chords

Harmonic Highlights

• The progression features a “ragtime” chain of secondary dominants (B7-E7-A7-D7), functioning as V7/vi → V7/II → V7/V → V in the context of the relative major, G.
• A chromatic passing #iv diminished chord (C#°7) facilitates a smooth transition between the IV chord (C) and the tonic (G), a hallmark of early swing harmony.
• The E7 to A7 movement creates a strong VI7 to II7 shift, requiring precise voice leading to resolve the internal tritones effectively.
• Frequent toggling between E minor and G major sections demonstrates a classic “relative minor-major” modal interplay common in the 1920s jazz idiom.

Improvisation Focus Chord tone targeting (3rds and 7ths) to navigate the rapid circle-of-fifths dominant resolutions.

Difficulty Rating 2/5: The predictable cycle-of-fifths structure and standard swing phrasing make it an accessible entry point for studying secondary dominants.