(Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult

Key: G · 144 BPM · 3/4

(Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult is written in G 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-Am — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 144 BPM, it moves at a brisk, upbeat pace, in waltz time.

The progression

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

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
No capoGG-Am
Capo 3EE-F#m
Capo 5DD-Em
Capo 7CC-Dm

Chord chart

  • 0:00 G
  • 0:13 Am
  • 0:14 G
  • 0:17 Am
  • 0:19 G
  • 0:20 Am
  • 0:23 G
  • 0:23 Am
  • 0:26 G
  • 0:28 Am
  • 0:31 Em
  • 0:32 Am
  • 0:33 G
  • 0:35 Am
  • 0:36 G
  • 0:39 Am
  • 0:40 G
  • 0:42 Am
  • 0:43 G
  • 0:46 Am
  • 0:51 G
  • 0:52 Am
  • 0:53 G
  • 0:56 Am
  • 0:57 G
  • 0:59 Am
  • 1:00 G
  • 1:02 Am
  • 1:03 G
  • 1:06 Am
  • 1:10 G
  • 1:20 Am
  • 1:20 G
  • 1:23 Am
  • 1:24 G
  • 1:26 Am
  • 1:29 G
  • 1:30 Am
  • 1:31 G
  • 1:33 Am
  • 1:35 F
  • 1:37 G
  • 1:38 Am
  • 1:43 G
  • 1:45 Am
  • 1:46 G
  • 1:49 Am
  • 1:50 G
  • 1:52 Am
  • 1:53 G
  • 1:55 Am
  • 1:56 G
  • 1:59 Am
  • 2:00 G
  • 2:02 Am
  • 2:03 G
  • 2:06 Am
  • 2:06 G
  • 2:09 Am
  • 2:11 G
  • 2:12 Am
  • 2:13 G
  • 2:16 Am
  • 2:18 G
  • 2:19 Am
  • 2:20 G
  • 2:23 Am
  • 2:23 G
  • 2:26 Am
  • 2:31 Ddim
  • 2:33 G
  • 2:37 Fm
  • 2:40 G
  • 2:50 Fm
  • 2:52 G
  • 3:10 F
  • 3:13 G
  • 3:16 F
  • 3:20 G
  • 3:36 Am
  • 3:37 G
  • 3:40 Am
  • 3:41 G
  • 3:43 Am
  • 3:44 G
  • 3:47 Am
  • 3:48 G
  • 3:52 Am
  • 3:54 Em
  • 3:55 Am
  • 3:56 G
  • 3:59 Am
  • 4:00 G
  • 4:02 Am
  • 4:03 G
  • 4:06 Am
  • 4:06 G
  • 4:19 Am
  • 4:20 G
  • 4:26 Am
  • 4:27 G
  • 4:29 Am
  • 4:30 G
  • 4:33 Am
  • 4:33 G
  • 4:39 Am
  • 4:42 G
  • 4:53 Am7
  • 4:58 G
  • 4:59 Am7
  • 5:02 C

Frequently asked questions

What key is (Don't Fear) The Reaper in?

(Don't Fear) The Reaper is in G major.

What chords does (Don't Fear) The Reaper use?

The core of (Don't Fear) The Reaper cycles through G, Am (2 chords).

What is the tempo of (Don't Fear) The Reaper?

(Don't Fear) The Reaper runs at 144 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does (Don't Fear) The Reaper use?

(Don't Fear) The Reaper doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: G-Am.

What capo should I use for (Don't Fear) The Reaper?

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

Related songs

Other songs in G major