Lovely Day by Bill Withers

Key: E · 99 BPM · 3/4

Lovely Day by Bill Withers is written in E major. Its chords cycle through the I-V-IV progression — common turnaround / bluesy resolution: E-C#m-A. At 99 BPM, it moves at a relaxed, mid-tempo pace, in waltz time.

The progression

This song follows the I-V-IV progression (Common turnaround / bluesy resolution) in E major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Learn more about the I-V-IV progression

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
No capoEE-C#m-A
Capo 2DD-Bm-G
Capo 4CC-Am-F
Capo 7AA-F#m-D

Chord chart

  • 0:00 E
  • 0:02 C#m
  • 0:04 A
  • 0:08 B
  • 0:09 E
  • 0:12 C#m7
  • 0:14 Amaj7
  • 0:17 Cmaj7
  • 0:18 Bsus4
  • 0:19 E
  • 0:21 C#m7
  • 0:24 Amaj7
  • 0:29 E
  • 0:31 C#m7
  • 0:34 Amaj7
  • 0:36 Cmaj7
  • 0:39 Dsus4
  • 0:41 Esus4
  • 0:44 Am7
  • 0:46 Bm7
  • 0:49 Dsus4
  • 0:51 Esus4
  • 0:53 Am7
  • 0:56 Bm7
  • 0:58 E
  • 1:01 C#m7
  • 1:03 Amaj7
  • 1:08 E
  • 1:11 C#m7
  • 1:13 Amaj7
  • 1:15 Cmaj7
  • 1:18 E
  • 1:20 C#m7
  • 1:23 Amaj7
  • 1:28 E
  • 1:30 C#m7
  • 1:33 Amaj7
  • 1:35 Cmaj7
  • 1:37 Dsus4
  • 1:40 Esus4
  • 1:42 Dsus4
  • 1:45 Bm7
  • 1:47 Dsus4
  • 1:50 Em7
  • 1:52 Am7
  • 1:55 Bm7
  • 1:57 E
  • 2:00 C#m7
  • 2:02 Amaj7
  • 2:04 Cmaj7
  • 2:06 E
  • 2:09 C#m7
  • 2:12 Amaj7
  • 2:14 Cmaj7
  • 2:16 E
  • 2:19 C#m7
  • 2:22 Amaj7
  • 2:26 E
  • 2:29 C#m7
  • 2:31 Amaj7
  • 2:34 Cmaj7
  • 2:36 Dsus4
  • 2:39 Esus4
  • 2:41 Am7
  • 2:44 Bm7
  • 2:46 Dsus4
  • 2:48 Esus4
  • 2:51 Am7
  • 2:53 Bm7
  • 2:56 E
  • 2:58 C#m7
  • 3:01 Amaj7
  • 3:03 Cmaj7
  • 3:05 E
  • 3:08 C#m7
  • 3:11 Amaj7
  • 3:13 Cmaj7
  • 3:15 Bsus4
  • 3:15 E
  • 3:18 C#m7
  • 3:20 Amaj7
  • 3:23 Cmaj7
  • 3:25 Bsus4
  • 3:25 E
  • 3:28 C#m7
  • 3:30 Amaj7
  • 3:33 Cmaj7
  • 3:34 Bsus4
  • 3:35 E
  • 3:37 C#m7
  • 3:40 Amaj7
  • 3:42 Cmaj7
  • 3:44 Bsus4
  • 3:45 E
  • 3:47 C#m7
  • 3:49 Amaj7
  • 3:52 Cmaj7
  • 3:54 Bsus4
  • 3:55 E
  • 3:57 C#m7
  • 4:00 Amaj7
  • 4:02 Cmaj7
  • 4:04 E
  • 4:07 C#m7
  • 4:09 Amaj7

Frequently asked questions

What key is Lovely Day in?

Lovely Day is in E major.

What chords does Lovely Day use?

The core of Lovely Day cycles through E, C#m, A (3 chords).

What is the tempo of Lovely Day?

Lovely Day runs at 99 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does Lovely Day use?

Lovely Day follows the I-V-IV progression. It's a common turnaround / bluesy resolution.

What capo should I use for Lovely Day?

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

Related songs

Other songs using the I-V-IV progression

Other songs in E major