Waiting in Vain by Bob Marley

Key: G# · 161 BPM · 4/4

Waiting in Vain by Bob Marley is written in Ab 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 — Ab-Db — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 161 BPM, it moves at a fast, high-energy pace.

The progression

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

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
Capo 1GG-C
Capo 4EE-A
Capo 6DD-G

Chord chart

  • 0:06 Abmaj7
  • 0:09 Dbmaj7
  • 0:13 Abmaj7
  • 0:15 Dbmaj7
  • 0:18 Db
  • 0:19 Abmaj7
  • 0:22 Dbmaj7
  • 0:24 Db
  • 0:25 Abmaj7
  • 0:28 Dbmaj7
  • 0:31 Abmaj7
  • 0:34 Dbmaj7
  • 0:37 Abmaj7
  • 0:40 Db
  • 0:43 Ab
  • 0:44 Abmaj7
  • 0:46 Db
  • 0:49 Abmaj7
  • 0:52 Db
  • 0:55 Ab
  • 0:57 Abmaj7
  • 0:58 Db
  • 1:01 Abmaj7
  • 1:04 Db
  • 1:07 Ab
  • 1:10 Db
  • 1:13 Abmaj7
  • 1:16 Db
  • 1:19 Ab
  • 1:20 Abmaj7
  • 1:22 Db
  • 1:26 Ab
  • 1:29 Db
  • 1:32 Ab
  • 1:35 Db
  • 1:39 Eb
  • 1:41 Cm7
  • 1:42 Bbm7
  • 1:44 Db
  • 1:45 Eb
  • 1:47 Cm
  • 1:48 Bbm7
  • 1:50 Abmaj7
  • 1:53 Dbmaj7
  • 1:56 Ab
  • 1:59 Db
  • 2:02 Ab
  • 2:04 Abmaj7
  • 2:05 Db
  • 2:08 Abmaj7
  • 2:11 Db
  • 2:14 Abmaj7
  • 2:17 Dbmaj7
  • 2:18 Db
  • 2:20 Abmaj7
  • 2:23 Db
  • 2:26 Abmaj7
  • 2:29 Dbmaj7
  • 2:32 Db
  • 2:32 Abmaj7
  • 2:35 Db
  • 2:39 Abmaj7
  • 2:42 Db
  • 2:45 Abmaj7
  • 2:48 Db
  • 2:51 Abmaj7
  • 2:54 Db
  • 2:57 Ab
  • 2:58 Abmaj7
  • 3:00 Db
  • 3:03 Ab
  • 3:06 Db
  • 3:09 Ab
  • 3:12 Db
  • 3:15 Ab
  • 3:18 Db
  • 3:21 Ab
  • 3:24 Db
  • 3:27 Ab
  • 3:30 Db
  • 3:32 Dbmaj7
  • 3:33 Eb
  • 3:34 Abmaj7
  • 3:36 Dbmaj7
  • 3:39 Abmaj7
  • 3:42 Dbmaj7
  • 3:45 Abmaj7
  • 3:48 Dbmaj7
  • 3:52 Abmaj7
  • 3:55 Dbmaj7
  • 3:58 Abmaj7
  • 4:01 Dbmaj7
  • 4:04 Abmaj7
  • 4:07 Dbmaj7
  • 4:10 Eb

Frequently asked questions

What key is Waiting in Vain in?

Waiting in Vain is in Ab major.

What chords does Waiting in Vain use?

The core of Waiting in Vain cycles through Ab, Db (2 chords).

What is the tempo of Waiting in Vain?

Waiting in Vain runs at 161 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Waiting in Vain use?

Waiting in Vain doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: Ab-Db.

What capo should I use for Waiting in Vain?

Capo 1 and play G major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in Ab major.

Related songs

Other songs in G# major

More by Bob Marley