Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes
Key: D# · 129 BPM · 3/4
Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes is written in Eb 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 — Eb-Ab — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 129 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace, in waltz time.
The progression
This song cycles a 2-chord progression in Eb major: Eb-Ab. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| Capo 1 | D | D-G |
| Capo 3 | C | C-F |
| Capo 6 | A | A-D |
Chord chart
- 0:00 Eb
- 0:34 Ab
- 0:38 Eb
- 0:42 Ab
- 0:44 Eb
- 0:52 Ab
- 0:54 Eb
- 0:55 Ab
- 0:56 Eb
- 0:57 Ab
- 1:00 Eb
- 1:12 Ab
- 1:15 Eb
- 1:19 Ab
- 1:21 Eb
- 1:27 Ab
- 1:31 Eb
- 1:35 Ab
- 1:37 Eb
- 1:45 Ab
- 1:47 Eb
- 1:48 Ab
- 1:49 Eb
- 1:50 Ab
- 1:53 Eb
- 2:05 Ab
- 2:09 Eb
- 2:13 Ab
- 2:15 Eb
- 2:21 Ab
- 2:24 Eb
- 2:28 Ab
- 2:30 Eb
- 2:38 Ab
- 2:40 Eb
- 2:41 Ab
- 2:42 Eb
- 2:43 Ab
- 2:48 Eb
- 3:05 Fm7
- 3:06 Bbsus4
- 3:07 Ab
- 3:10 Ebmaj7
- 3:12 Fm7
- 3:14 Bbsus4
- 3:16 Eb
- 3:23 Ab
- 3:28 Eb
- 3:29 Ab
- 3:31 Eb
- 3:33 Ab
- 3:38 Eb
- 3:40 Fm7
- 3:44 Bbsus4
- 3:45 Eb
- 3:47 Fm7
- 3:49 Bb
- 3:51 Ab
- 3:53 Eb
- 3:58 Ab
- 4:04 Eb
- 4:08 Fm7
- 4:12 Bbsus4
- 4:13 Eb
- 4:15 Fm7
- 4:16 Bbsus4
- 4:20 Eb
- 4:22 Ab
- 4:25 Bbsus4
- 4:26 Ab
- 4:30 Eb
- 4:33 Ab
- 4:39 Eb
- 4:43 Ab
- 4:51 Fm7
- 4:53 Eb
Frequently asked questions
What key is Helplessness Blues in?
Helplessness Blues is in Eb major.
What chords does Helplessness Blues use?
The core of Helplessness Blues cycles through Eb, Ab (2 chords).
What is the tempo of Helplessness Blues?
Helplessness Blues runs at 129 BPM in 3/4 time.
What chord progression does Helplessness Blues use?
Helplessness Blues doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: Eb-Ab.
What capo should I use for Helplessness Blues?
Capo 1 and play D major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in Eb major.