How to Save a Life by The Fray

Key: A# · 123 BPM · 3/4

How to Save a Life by The Fray is written in Bb major. Its chords cycle through the I-V-vi-IV progression — modern pop / Axis progression (extremely common, often looped): Bb-Eb-F-Gm. At 123 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace, in waltz time.

The progression

This song follows the I-V-vi-IV progression (Modern pop / Axis progression (extremely common, often looped)) in Bb major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

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

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
Capo 1AA-D-E-F#m
Capo 3GG-C-D-Em
Capo 6EE-A-B-C#m

Chord chart

  • 0:00 Bb
  • 0:02 Dm7
  • 0:04 Bb
  • 0:06 Dm
  • 0:08 Bb
  • 0:10 Dm7
  • 0:12 Bb
  • 0:15 Dm7
  • 0:16 Bb
  • 0:18 Dm7
  • 0:19 Bb
  • 0:22 Dm7
  • 0:23 Bb
  • 0:39 Eb
  • 0:41 F
  • 0:43 Gm7
  • 0:45 Bb
  • 0:46 F
  • 0:47 Eb
  • 0:49 F
  • 0:51 Gm7
  • 0:53 Bb
  • 1:07 Gm7
  • 1:09 F
  • 1:11 Bb
  • 1:13 F
  • 1:15 Gm7
  • 1:17 F
  • 1:18 Bb
  • 1:22 Gm7
  • 1:24 F
  • 1:26 Bb
  • 1:30 Gm7
  • 1:32 F
  • 1:34 Eb
  • 1:36 F
  • 1:38 Gm7
  • 1:40 Bb
  • 1:41 F
  • 1:42 Eb
  • 1:44 F
  • 1:46 Gm7
  • 1:48 Bb
  • 1:54 Gm7
  • 1:56 F
  • 1:58 Bb
  • 2:00 F
  • 2:02 Gm7
  • 2:04 F
  • 2:06 Bb
  • 2:08 F
  • 2:10 Gm7
  • 2:12 F
  • 2:14 Bb
  • 2:16 F
  • 2:18 Gm7
  • 2:20 F
  • 2:22 Bb
  • 2:23 F
  • 2:25 Gm7
  • 2:27 F
  • 2:29 Eb
  • 2:31 F
  • 2:33 Gm7
  • 2:35 Bb
  • 2:36 F
  • 2:37 Eb
  • 2:39 F
  • 2:41 Gm7
  • 2:43 Bb
  • 2:44 F
  • 2:45 Eb
  • 2:47 F
  • 2:49 Gm7
  • 2:51 Bb
  • 2:52 F
  • 2:53 Eb
  • 2:55 F
  • 2:57 Gm7
  • 2:59 Bb
  • 3:11 F
  • 3:13 Bb
  • 3:16 Eb
  • 3:19 F
  • 3:21 Gm7
  • 3:23 Bb
  • 3:23 F
  • 3:24 Eb
  • 3:26 F
  • 3:28 Gm7
  • 3:30 Bb
  • 3:31 F
  • 3:32 Eb
  • 3:34 F
  • 3:36 Gm7
  • 3:38 Bb
  • 3:39 F
  • 3:40 Eb
  • 3:42 F
  • 3:44 Gm7
  • 3:46 Bb
  • 4:06 Dm7
  • 4:07 Bbmaj7
  • 4:12 Bb

Frequently asked questions

What key is How to Save a Life in?

How to Save a Life is in Bb major.

What chords does How to Save a Life use?

The core of How to Save a Life cycles through Bb, Eb, F, Gm (4 chords).

What is the tempo of How to Save a Life?

How to Save a Life runs at 123 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does How to Save a Life use?

How to Save a Life follows the I-V-vi-IV progression. It's a modern pop / Axis progression (extremely common, often looped).

What capo should I use for How to Save a Life?

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

Related songs

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

Other songs in A# major