Ventura Highway by America
Key: D · 129 BPM · 4/4
Ventura Highway by America is written in D major. Rather than one of the handful of progressions that show up again and again across pop and rock, it settles into its own 2-chord loop — G-D — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 129 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace.
The progression
This song cycles a 2-chord progression in D major: G-D. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| No capo | D | G-D |
| Capo 2 | C | F-C |
| Capo 5 | A | D-A |
| Capo 7 | G | C-G |
Chord chart
- 0:00 F#m7
- 0:02 Gmaj7
- 0:13 Dmaj7
- 0:16 Gmaj7
- 0:21 F#m7
- 0:24 Gmaj7
- 0:28 Dmaj7
- 0:31 Gmaj7
- 0:36 Dmaj7
- 0:39 Gmaj7
- 0:42 D
- 0:46 G
- 0:50 Dmaj7
- 0:53 G
- 0:57 Dmaj7
- 1:01 G
- 1:04 Dmaj7
- 1:08 F#m7
- 1:12 Em7
- 1:14 F#m7
- 1:15 Em7
- 1:17 F#m7
- 1:19 Em7
- 1:21 F#m7
- 1:23 Em7
- 1:24 F#m7
- 1:28 Gmaj7
- 1:32 Dmaj7
- 1:35 Gmaj7
- 1:39 Dmaj7
- 1:43 Gmaj7
- 1:45 G
- 1:46 Dmaj7
- 1:50 Gmaj7
- 1:54 Dmaj7
- 1:57 G
- 2:01 Dmaj7
- 2:05 Gmaj7
- 2:09 Dmaj7
- 2:12 G
- 2:16 D
- 2:19 G
- 2:23 D
- 2:27 G
- 2:30 D
- 2:34 F#m7
- 2:38 Em7
- 2:40 F#m7
- 2:41 Em7
- 2:44 F#m7
- 2:45 Em7
- 2:47 F#m7
- 2:49 Em7
- 2:51 F#m7
- 2:54 Gmaj7
- 2:58 Dmaj7
- 3:02 Gmaj7
- 3:05 Dmaj7
- 3:09 Gmaj7
- 3:13 Dmaj7
- 3:16 Gmaj7
- 3:20 Dmaj7
- 3:23 Gmaj7
- 3:27 D
Frequently asked questions
What key is Ventura Highway in?
Ventura Highway is in D major.
What chords does Ventura Highway use?
The core of Ventura Highway cycles through G, D (2 chords).
What is the tempo of Ventura Highway?
Ventura Highway runs at 129 BPM in 4/4 time.
What chord progression does Ventura Highway use?
Ventura Highway doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: G-D.
What capo should I use for Ventura Highway?
No capo needed — D major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.