The Weight by The Band

Key: A · 144 BPM · 4/4

The Weight by The Band is written in A 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 — D-A — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 144 BPM, it moves at a brisk, upbeat pace.

The progression

This song cycles a 2-chord progression in A major: D-A. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Play it in other keys

Capo	Shape key	Chords to play
No capo	A	D-A
Capo 2	G	C-G
Capo 5	E	A-E
Capo 7	D	G-D

Chord chart

0:00 A
0:01 Bm7
0:02 E
0:03 D
0:07 A
0:12 C#m
0:13 D
0:15 A
0:18 C#m
0:20 D
0:22 A
0:25 C#m
0:27 D
0:28 A
0:31 C#m
0:33 D
0:35 A
0:37 E
0:38 D
0:40 A
0:40 E
0:41 D
0:43 A
0:45 D
0:52 A
0:56 D
0:59 A
1:01 C#m
1:02 D
1:04 A
1:07 C#m
1:09 D
1:11 A
1:14 C#m
1:16 D
1:18 A
1:21 C#m
1:22 D
1:24 A
1:27 E
1:27 D
1:29 A
1:30 E
1:31 D
1:32 A
1:33 E
1:34 D
1:42 A
1:45 D
1:48 A
1:50 C#m
1:52 D
1:54 A
1:57 C#m
1:58 D
2:00 A
2:04 C#m
2:05 D
2:07 A
2:10 C#m
2:12 D
2:13 A
2:16 E
2:17 D
2:18 A
2:19 E
2:20 D
2:22 A
2:22 E
2:23 D
2:31 A
2:34 D
2:38 A
2:40 C#m
2:41 D
2:43 A
2:46 C#m
2:48 D
2:49 A
2:54 D
2:56 A
2:59 C#m
3:01 D
3:03 A
3:05 E
3:06 D
3:08 A
3:08 E
3:09 D
3:11 A
3:12 E
3:13 D
3:20 A
3:24 D
3:27 A
3:31 D
3:34 A
3:37 D
3:39 A
3:42 C#m
3:44 D
3:45 A
3:49 C#m
3:50 D
3:52 A
3:56 C#m
3:57 D
3:59 A
4:01 E
4:02 D
4:04 A
4:05 E
4:05 D
4:07 A
4:08 E
4:09 D
4:16 A
4:18 F#m
4:20 D
4:23 A
4:24 E
4:25 A
4:27 D

Frequently asked questions

What key is The Weight in?

The Weight is in A major.

What chords does The Weight use?

The core of The Weight cycles through D, A (2 chords).

What is the tempo of The Weight?

The Weight runs at 144 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does The Weight use?

The Weight doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: D-A.

What capo should I use for The Weight?

No capo needed — A major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.