“There is really only one chord in the whole song. E… something”: A music professor breaks down the theory behind Sly & The Family Stone's Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

The brilliant and complicated Sly Stone has passed on, and in his honor, we’re taking a deep dive into his 1969 classic, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).

The song was written and produced by Sly, with co-lead vocals from the entire band: Sly’s sister Rose and brother Freddie, Cynthia Robinson, Jerry Martini, Greg Errico and Larry Graham.