Key to the Highway by Eric Clapton
Key: A · 86 BPM · 3/4
Key to the Highway by Eric Clapton is written in A major. Its chords cycle through the I-IV-I-V progression — plagal + authentic mix, played as a IV-I-V-I rotation: D-A-E-A. At 86 BPM, it moves at a relaxed, mid-tempo pace, in waltz time.
The progression
This song follows the I-IV-I-V progression (Plagal + authentic mix), played as a IV-I-V-I rotation in A major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| No capo | A | D-A-E |
| Capo 2 | G | C-G-D |
| Capo 5 | E | A-E-B |
| Capo 7 | D | G-D-A |
Chord chart
- 0:00 E7
- 0:04 D
- 0:07 Bm
- 0:08 E7
- 0:11 A
- 0:14 E
- 0:16 D
- 0:18 D7
- 0:22 A
- 0:24 E7
- 0:27 A
- 0:28 D
- 0:31 E7
- 0:33 A7
- 0:35 E7
- 0:38 D
- 0:40 D7
- 0:44 A7
- 0:46 E7
- 0:51 D
- 0:52 A
- 0:53 E7
- 0:55 A
- 0:58 E
- 1:01 D
- 1:04 D7
- 1:06 A7
- 1:10 E7
- 1:13 D
- 1:15 E7
- 1:17 A
- 1:20 E
- 1:23 D
- 1:29 A
- 1:32 E
- 1:35 A
- 1:36 D
- 1:37 A
- 1:38 E7
- 1:40 A
- 1:43 E
- 1:46 D
- 1:52 A
- 1:54 E7
- 1:59 D
- 2:00 A
- 2:01 E7
- 2:03 A
- 2:06 E
- 2:08 D
- 2:14 A
- 2:17 E7
- 2:21 D
- 2:22 A
- 2:23 E
- 2:25 A
- 2:28 E
- 2:31 D
- 2:36 A
- 2:39 E7
- 2:42 A
- 2:43 D
- 2:45 E7
- 2:47 A
- 2:50 E
- 2:53 D
- 2:58 A
- 3:01 E
- 3:04 A
- 3:05 D
- 3:06 A
- 3:07 E
- 3:09 A
- 3:12 E7
- 3:14 D
- 3:20 A
- 3:23 E7
- 3:27 D
- 3:30 E7
- 3:31 A
- 3:34 E7
- 3:37 D7
- 3:43 A7
- 3:46 E7
- 3:51 A7
- 3:53 E7
- 3:54 A7
- 3:58 E7
- 4:00 D7
- 4:05 A7
- 4:09 E7
- 4:11 A7
- 4:16 E7
- 4:17 A7
- 4:20 E7
- 4:23 D7
- 4:29 A7
- 4:32 E7
- 4:36 D
- 4:37 A
- 4:38 E
- 4:40 A
- 4:43 E
- 4:46 D
- 4:51 A
- 4:54 E7
- 4:56 E
- 4:57 A
- 4:58 D
- 5:00 A
- 5:01 E
- 5:03 A
- 5:05 E
- 5:08 D
- 5:14 A
- 5:17 E7
- 5:20 A
- 5:21 D
- 5:23 A
- 5:23 E
- 5:25 A
- 5:28 E
- 5:31 D
- 5:37 A
- 5:39 E
- 5:42 A
- 5:44 D
- 5:45 A
- 5:46 E7
- 5:48 A
- 5:51 E
- 5:53 D
- 5:59 A
- 6:02 E7
- 6:06 D
- 6:09 A7
Frequently asked questions
What key is Key to the Highway in?
Key to the Highway is in A major.
What chords does Key to the Highway use?
The core of Key to the Highway cycles through D, A, E (3 chords).
What is the tempo of Key to the Highway?
Key to the Highway runs at 86 BPM in 3/4 time.
What chord progression does Key to the Highway use?
Key to the Highway follows the I-IV-I-V progression, played as a IV-I-V-I rotation. It's a plagal + authentic mix.
What capo should I use for Key to the Highway?
No capo needed — A major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.