Stir It Up by Bob Marley

Key: C#m · 144 BPM · 4/4

Stir It Up by Bob Marley is written in E major. Its chords cycle through the I-IV-V progression — classic resolving progression (1-4-5): A-D-E. At 144 BPM, it moves at a brisk, upbeat pace. The same chords are equally correct read against E major's relative key, C#m — two valid ways to name the exact same notes, depending on which one the song feels like it's resolving to.

The progression

This song follows the I-IV-V progression (Classic resolving progression (1-4-5)) in E major. Read against its relative key, this is equivalently VI-?-III in C#m — the same chords, two valid readings. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Learn more about the I-IV-V progression

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
No capoEA-D-E
Capo 2DG-C-D
Capo 4CF-Bb-C
Capo 7AD-G-A

Chord chart

  • 0:00 A
  • 0:09 D
  • 0:10 E
  • 0:12 A
  • 0:15 D
  • 0:17 E
  • 0:18 A
  • 0:21 D
  • 0:23 E
  • 0:25 A
  • 0:28 D
  • 0:29 E
  • 0:31 A
  • 0:33 D
  • 0:36 E
  • 0:37 A
  • 0:40 D
  • 0:42 E
  • 0:44 A
  • 0:47 D
  • 0:49 E
  • 0:51 A
  • 0:53 D
  • 0:55 E
  • 0:56 A
  • 1:00 D
  • 1:02 A
  • 1:06 D
  • 1:08 E
  • 1:09 A
  • 1:13 D
  • 1:15 A
  • 1:19 D
  • 1:21 E7
  • 1:22 A
  • 1:26 D
  • 1:27 E
  • 1:29 A
  • 1:32 D
  • 1:34 E
  • 1:35 A
  • 1:39 D
  • 1:40 E
  • 1:42 A
  • 1:45 D
  • 1:47 E
  • 1:48 A
  • 1:52 D
  • 1:54 A
  • 1:57 D
  • 2:00 A
  • 2:05 D
  • 2:08 A
  • 2:11 D
  • 2:13 E7
  • 2:14 A
  • 2:16 D
  • 2:19 E
  • 2:21 A
  • 2:24 D
  • 2:26 E7
  • 2:28 A
  • 2:31 D
  • 2:32 E7
  • 2:34 A
  • 2:37 D
  • 2:40 E
  • 2:41 A
  • 2:44 D
  • 2:46 E
  • 2:47 A
  • 2:51 E7
  • 2:54 A
  • 2:57 D
  • 2:59 A
  • 3:03 D
  • 3:05 E
  • 3:07 A
  • 3:10 D
  • 3:12 E
  • 3:13 A
  • 3:16 D
  • 3:18 E7
  • 3:20 A
  • 3:23 D
  • 3:25 E
  • 3:26 A
  • 3:30 D
  • 3:31 E
  • 3:33 A
  • 3:36 D
  • 3:38 E
  • 3:40 A
  • 3:44 D
  • 3:45 A
  • 3:52 F#m
  • 3:56 D
  • 4:00 Dmaj7
  • 4:02 D
  • 4:04 E
  • 4:05 A
  • 4:07 D
  • 4:10 E
  • 4:12 A
  • 4:14 D
  • 4:17 E
  • 4:19 F#m
  • 4:20 D
  • 4:23 E7
  • 4:25 A
  • 4:29 E7
  • 4:31 A
  • 4:35 D
  • 4:37 A
  • 4:41 D
  • 4:43 A
  • 4:48 D
  • 4:50 E
  • 4:51 A
  • 4:54 D
  • 4:56 E7
  • 4:58 A
  • 4:59 D
  • 5:03 E7
  • 5:04 A
  • 5:07 D
  • 5:09 E7
  • 5:11 A
  • 5:13 D
  • 5:16 E
  • 5:17 A
  • 5:19 D
  • 5:22 E
  • 5:24 A
  • 5:27 D
  • 5:29 E

Frequently asked questions

What key is Stir It Up in?

Stir It Up is in E major — its chords are also equally valid read against its relative key, C#m, since the two share the same notes.

What chords does Stir It Up use?

The core of Stir It Up cycles through A, D, E (3 chords).

What is the tempo of Stir It Up?

Stir It Up runs at 144 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Stir It Up use?

Stir It Up follows the I-IV-V progression. It's a classic resolving progression (1-4-5).

What capo should I use for Stir It Up?

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

Related songs

Other songs using the I-IV-V progression

Other songs in C#m

More by Bob Marley