Viva la Vida by Coldplay

Key: G# · 136 BPM · 3/4

Viva la Vida by Coldplay is written in Ab major. Its chords cycle through the I-vi-IV-V progression — 50s / sensitive pop feel, played as a IV-V-I-vi rotation: Db-Eb-Ab-Fm. At 136 BPM, it moves at a brisk, upbeat pace, in waltz time.

The progression

This song follows the I-vi-IV-V progression (50s / sensitive pop feel), played as a IV-V-I-vi rotation in Ab major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

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

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
Capo 1GC-D-G-Em
Capo 4EA-B-E-C#m
Capo 6DG-A-D-Bm

Chord chart

  • 0:00 Db
  • 0:02 Eb
  • 0:04 Ab
  • 0:05 Fm
  • 0:07 Db
  • 0:09 Eb
  • 0:10 Ab
  • 0:12 Fm
  • 0:15 Db
  • 0:17 Ab
  • 0:19 Fm
  • 0:22 Db
  • 0:22 Eb
  • 0:24 Ab
  • 0:26 Fm
  • 0:28 Db
  • 0:30 Eb
  • 0:32 Ab
  • 0:33 Fm
  • 0:35 Db
  • 0:37 Eb
  • 0:38 Ab
  • 0:40 Fm
  • 0:42 Db
  • 0:43 Eb
  • 0:45 Ab
  • 0:47 Fm
  • 0:49 Db
  • 0:52 Ab
  • 0:54 Fm
  • 0:56 Db
  • 0:59 Ab
  • 1:01 Fm
  • 1:03 Db
  • 1:05 Eb
  • 1:06 Ab
  • 1:08 Fm
  • 1:10 Db
  • 1:11 Eb
  • 1:13 Ab
  • 1:15 Fm
  • 1:17 Db
  • 1:18 Eb
  • 1:20 Ab
  • 1:22 Fm
  • 1:24 Db
  • 1:25 Eb
  • 1:27 Ab
  • 1:29 Fm
  • 1:31 Db
  • 1:32 Eb
  • 1:34 Ab
  • 1:36 Fm
  • 1:38 Db
  • 1:41 Ab
  • 1:42 Fm
  • 1:45 Db
  • 1:48 Ab
  • 1:49 Fm
  • 1:52 Db
  • 1:53 Eb
  • 1:55 Ab
  • 1:56 Fm
  • 1:59 Db
  • 2:00 Eb
  • 2:02 Ab
  • 2:03 Fm
  • 2:05 Db
  • 2:07 Eb
  • 2:09 Ab
  • 2:10 Fm
  • 2:13 Db
  • 2:14 Eb
  • 2:16 Ab
  • 2:17 Fm
  • 2:19 Db
  • 2:21 Eb
  • 2:23 Ab
  • 2:24 Fm
  • 2:26 Db
  • 2:28 Eb
  • 2:30 Ab
  • 2:31 Fm
  • 2:33 Db
  • 2:35 Eb
  • 2:37 Ab
  • 2:38 Fm
  • 2:40 Db
  • 2:42 Eb
  • 2:44 Ab
  • 2:45 Fm
  • 2:47 Db
  • 2:49 Fm
  • 2:51 Db
  • 2:52 Fm
  • 2:54 Db
  • 2:56 Fm
  • 2:58 Eb
  • 3:01 Db
  • 3:03 Eb
  • 3:05 Ab
  • 3:06 Fm
  • 3:08 Db
  • 3:10 Eb
  • 3:11 Ab
  • 3:13 Fm
  • 3:15 Db
  • 3:16 Eb
  • 3:19 Ab
  • 3:20 Fm
  • 3:22 Db
  • 3:23 Eb
  • 3:25 Ab
  • 3:27 Fm
  • 3:29 Db
  • 3:30 Eb
  • 3:32 Ab
  • 3:34 Fm
  • 3:36 Db
  • 3:37 Eb
  • 3:41 Fm
  • 3:43 Dbmaj7
  • 3:44 Eb
  • 3:46 Ab
  • 3:48 Fm
  • 3:50 Dbmaj7
  • 3:51 Eb7
  • 3:54 Abmaj7
  • 3:55 Fm
  • 3:57 Dbmaj7
  • 3:58 Eb

Frequently asked questions

What key is Viva la Vida in?

Viva la Vida is in Ab major.

What chords does Viva la Vida use?

The core of Viva la Vida cycles through Db, Eb, Ab, Fm (4 chords).

What is the tempo of Viva la Vida?

Viva la Vida runs at 136 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does Viva la Vida use?

Viva la Vida follows the I-vi-IV-V progression, played as a IV-V-I-vi rotation. It's a 50s / sensitive pop feel.

What capo should I use for Viva la Vida?

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

Related songs

Other songs using the I-vi-IV-V progression

Other songs in G# major

More by Coldplay