Up on the Roof by The Drifters
Key: G# · 123 BPM · 4/4
Up on the Roof by The Drifters is written in Ab major. Its chords cycle through the I-vi-IV-V progression — 50s / sensitive pop feel, played as a V-I-vi-IV rotation: Eb-Ab-Fm-Db. At 123 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace.
The progression
This song follows the I-vi-IV-V progression (50s / sensitive pop feel), played as a V-I-vi-IV rotation in Ab major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| Capo 1 | G | D-G-Em-C |
| Capo 4 | E | B-E-C#m-A |
| Capo 6 | D | A-D-Bm-G |
Chord chart
- 0:01 Ab
- 0:11 Fm
- 0:13 Db
- 0:15 Bbm
- 0:16 Eb
- 0:17 Ab
- 0:23 Fm
- 0:25 Db
- 0:27 Bbm
- 0:28 Ab
- 0:33 Db
- 0:40 Ab
- 0:42 Fm
- 0:44 Db
- 0:46 Eb
- 0:48 Ab
- 0:50 Fm
- 0:52 Db
- 0:54 Eb
- 0:56 Ab
- 1:02 Fm
- 1:04 Db
- 1:06 Eb
- 1:08 Ab
- 1:12 Db
- 1:19 Ab
- 1:21 Fm
- 1:23 Db
- 1:25 Eb
- 1:27 Ab
- 1:33 Fm
- 1:35 Db
- 1:37 Bbm
- 1:39 Ab
- 1:43 Db
- 1:50 Ab
- 1:53 Fm
- 1:54 Db
- 1:56 Eb
- 1:58 Ab
- 2:00 Fm
- 2:02 Db
- 2:04 Eb
- 2:06 Ab
- 2:12 Fm
- 2:14 Db
- 2:16 Eb
- 2:18 Ab
- 2:22 Fm
- 2:26 Ab
- 2:30 Fm
Frequently asked questions
What key is Up on the Roof in?
Up on the Roof is in Ab major.
What chords does Up on the Roof use?
The core of Up on the Roof cycles through Eb, Ab, Fm, Db (4 chords).
What is the tempo of Up on the Roof?
Up on the Roof runs at 123 BPM in 4/4 time.
What chord progression does Up on the Roof use?
Up on the Roof follows the I-vi-IV-V progression, played as a V-I-vi-IV rotation. It's a 50s / sensitive pop feel.
What capo should I use for Up on the Roof?
Capo 1 and play G major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in Ab major.