Like a Star by Corinne Bailey Rae

Key: Am · 62 BPM · 4/4

Like a Star by Corinne Bailey Rae sits in Am, giving it a darker, more unresolved color than a major-key song would have. Rather than one of the handful of progressions that show up again and again across pop and rock, it settles into its own 5-chord loop — F-E-Am-Gm-C — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 62 BPM, it moves at a slow, deliberate pace.

The progression

This song cycles a 5-chord progression in Am: F-E-Am-Gm-C. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Play it in other keys

Capo	Shape key	Chords to play
No capo	Am	F-E-Am-Gm-C
Capo 5	Em	C-B-Em-Dm-G
Capo 7	Dm	Bb-A-Dm-Cm-F

Chord chart

0:01 Dm7
0:06 E7
0:09 Am7
0:16 Dm7
0:21 E7
0:24 Am7
0:28 Fmaj7
0:30 Em7
0:32 Fmaj7
0:36 E7
0:40 Am7
0:44 Gm7
0:46 C7
0:48 Fmaj7
0:51 E7
0:55 Dm7
0:59 E7
1:03 Am7
1:11 Dm7
1:15 Em7
1:19 Am7
1:23 Gm7
1:25 C7
1:27 Fmaj7
1:31 Eaug
1:35 Am7
1:39 Gm7
1:41 C7
1:42 Fmaj7
1:48 Edim
1:49 Dm7
1:54 E7
1:58 Am7
2:03 Am
2:05 Dm7
2:09 E7
2:13 Em
2:17 Dm7
2:25 E7
2:27 Em7
2:29 Am7
2:33 Gm7
2:35 C7
2:37 Fmaj7
2:41 E7
2:44 Am7
2:48 Gm7
2:50 C7
2:52 Fmaj7
2:56 E7
3:00 Am7
3:04 Gm7
3:06 C7
3:08 Fmaj7
3:12 E7
3:15 Am7
3:19 Gm7
3:21 C7
3:23 Fmaj7
3:27 E7
3:31 Dm7
3:34 E7
3:39 Am7
3:43 D7
3:47 Dm7
3:51 E7

Frequently asked questions

What key is Like a Star in?

Like a Star is in Am.

What chords does Like a Star use?

The core of Like a Star cycles through F, E, Am, Gm, C (5 chords).

What is the tempo of Like a Star?

Like a Star runs at 62 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Like a Star use?

Like a Star doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 5-chord loop: F-E-Am-Gm-C.

What capo should I use for Like a Star?

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