I Don't Want to Be by Gavin DeGraw

Key: D# · 152 BPM · 3/4

I Don't Want to Be by Gavin DeGraw is written in Eb major. Its chords cycle through the I-V-vi-IV progression — modern pop / Axis progression (extremely common, often looped), played as a vi-IV-I-V rotation: Cm-Ab-Eb-Bb. At 152 BPM, it moves at a brisk, upbeat pace, in waltz time.

The progression

This song follows the I-V-vi-IV progression (Modern pop / Axis progression (extremely common, often looped)), played as a vi-IV-I-V rotation in Eb 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 1DBm-G-D-A
Capo 3CAm-F-C-G
Capo 6AF#m-D-A-E

Chord chart

  • 0:13 Cm
  • 0:37 Ab
  • 0:38 Eb
  • 0:40 Bb
  • 0:41 Cm
  • 0:42 Bb
  • 0:43 Ab
  • 0:44 Eb
  • 0:46 Bb
  • 0:48 Cm
  • 0:49 Bb
  • 0:49 Ab
  • 0:51 Eb
  • 0:52 Bb
  • 0:54 Cm
  • 0:55 Bb
  • 0:55 Ab
  • 0:57 Eb
  • 0:59 Bb
  • 1:00 Cm
  • 1:34 Ab
  • 1:36 Eb
  • 1:37 Bb
  • 1:39 Cm
  • 1:40 Bb
  • 1:40 Ab
  • 1:42 Eb
  • 1:44 Bb
  • 1:45 Cm
  • 1:46 Bb
  • 1:47 Ab
  • 1:48 Eb
  • 1:50 Bb
  • 1:51 Cm
  • 1:52 Bb
  • 1:53 Ab
  • 1:54 Eb
  • 1:56 Bb
  • 1:57 Cm
  • 1:59 Gm
  • 2:10 Cm
  • 2:11 F
  • 2:20 Bb
  • 2:21 Eb
  • 2:22 F
  • 2:25 Ab
  • 2:27 Eb
  • 2:29 Bb
  • 2:30 Cm
  • 2:31 Bb
  • 2:32 Ab
  • 2:33 Eb
  • 2:35 Bb
  • 2:36 Cm
  • 2:38 Ab
  • 2:39 Eb
  • 2:41 Bb
  • 2:42 Cm
  • 2:43 Bb
  • 2:44 Ab
  • 2:45 Eb
  • 2:47 Bb
  • 2:49 Cm
  • 2:50 Ab
  • 2:52 Eb
  • 2:53 Bb
  • 2:55 Cm
  • 2:56 Bb
  • 2:56 Ab
  • 2:58 Eb
  • 3:00 Bb
  • 3:01 Cm
  • 3:03 Ab
  • 3:04 Eb
  • 3:06 Bb
  • 3:07 Cm
  • 3:09 Ab
  • 3:10 Eb
  • 3:12 Bb
  • 3:13 Cm
  • 3:15 Ab
  • 3:17 Eb
  • 3:18 Bb
  • 3:20 Cm
  • 3:21 Ab
  • 3:23 Eb
  • 3:24 Bb
  • 3:26 Cm
  • 3:27 Ab
  • 3:29 Eb
  • 3:31 Bb

Frequently asked questions

What key is I Don't Want to Be in?

I Don't Want to Be is in Eb major.

What chords does I Don't Want to Be use?

The core of I Don't Want to Be cycles through Cm, Ab, Eb, Bb (4 chords).

What is the tempo of I Don't Want to Be?

I Don't Want to Be runs at 152 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does I Don't Want to Be use?

I Don't Want to Be follows the I-V-vi-IV progression, played as a vi-IV-I-V rotation. It's a modern pop / Axis progression (extremely common, often looped).

What capo should I use for I Don't Want to Be?

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

Related songs

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

Other songs in D# major