The Luckiest by Ben Folds

Key: D · 123 BPM · 4/4

The Luckiest by Ben Folds is written in D major. Its chords cycle through the I-IV-I-V progression — plagal + authentic mix: D-G-D-A. At 123 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace.

The progression

This song follows the I-IV-I-V progression (Plagal + authentic mix) in D major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Learn more about the I-IV-I-V progression

Play it in other keys

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

Chord chart

0:00 D
0:02 G
0:05 D
0:07 A
0:10 Bm
0:12 F#m
0:14 G
0:16 A
0:20 D
0:22 A
0:24 D
0:26 G
0:29 D
0:31 Bm
0:32 C
0:37 A
0:40 D
0:42 G
0:44 D
0:46 Bm
0:48 F#m
0:50 A
0:52 Bm
0:54 G
0:56 Bm
0:59 A
1:02 F#m
1:04 G
1:08 A
1:13 D
1:15 A
1:17 Bm
1:19 F#m
1:21 G
1:23 D
1:24 A
1:25 D
1:27 A
1:31 D
1:33 G
1:36 D
1:37 A
1:40 D
1:42 A
1:44 D
1:46 G
1:48 D
1:50 Bm
1:52 C
1:56 A
2:00 D
2:01 G
2:03 D
2:05 Bm
2:07 F#m
2:09 A
2:11 Bm
2:13 G
2:14 Bm
2:18 A
2:21 F#m
2:23 G
2:27 D
2:29 A
2:31 D
2:33 A
2:35 Bm
2:37 F#m
2:39 G
2:41 A
2:43 D
2:45 A
2:48 Em
2:51 Bm
2:55 D
2:57 G
2:59 A
3:04 D
3:06 A
3:08 D
3:10 G
3:12 D
3:14 Bm
3:16 C
3:20 A
3:23 D
3:25 G
3:27 D
3:29 Bm
3:31 F#m
3:33 A
3:35 Bm
3:37 G
3:39 Bm
3:41 A
3:45 F#m
3:47 G
3:50 D
3:53 A
3:55 D
3:57 A
3:59 Bm
4:01 F#m
4:03 G
4:05 D
4:06 A
4:07 Bm
4:10 F#m
4:11 G

Frequently asked questions

What key is The Luckiest in?

The Luckiest is in D major.

What chords does The Luckiest use?

The core of The Luckiest cycles through D, G, A (3 chords).

What is the tempo of The Luckiest?

The Luckiest runs at 123 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does The Luckiest use?

The Luckiest follows the I-IV-I-V progression. It's a plagal + authentic mix.

What capo should I use for The Luckiest?

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