Rivers and Roads by The Head and the Heart
Key: C · 144 BPM · 3/4
Rivers and Roads by The Head and the Heart is written in C major. Rather than one of the handful of progressions that show up again and again across pop and rock, it settles into its own 5-chord loop — C-Am-C-Am-F — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 144 BPM, it moves at a brisk, upbeat pace, in waltz time.
The progression
This song cycles a 5-chord progression in C major: C-Am-C-Am-F. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| No capo | C | C-Am-F |
| Capo 3 | A | A-F#m-D |
| Capo 5 | G | G-Em-C |
Chord chart
- 0:00 C
- 0:03 Am
- 0:04 C
- 0:06 Am
- 0:07 Fmaj7
- 0:08 C
- 0:14 Am
- 0:15 C
- 0:17 Am
- 0:18 F
- 0:19 C
- 0:28 Am
- 0:32 F
- 0:34 C
- 0:37 Am
- 0:38 C
- 0:42 Am
- 0:44 F
- 0:45 C
- 0:54 Am7
- 0:56 C
- 1:03 Am
- 1:05 F
- 1:05 C
- 1:08 Am
- 1:10 F
- 1:12 C
- 1:21 Am
- 1:25 Fmaj7
- 1:26 C
- 1:32 F
- 1:33 C
- 1:35 Fmaj7
- 1:37 C
- 1:46 Am
- 1:47 C
- 1:53 Am
- 1:54 F
- 1:55 C
- 2:01 Am
- 2:02 F
- 2:04 C
- 2:07 Am
- 2:08 F
- 2:09 C
- 2:12 Am
- 2:14 F
- 2:15 C
- 2:18 Am
- 2:19 F
- 2:21 C
- 2:29 Am
- 2:30 C
- 2:31 Am
- 2:33 F
- 2:34 C
- 2:39 Am
- 2:41 C
- 2:42 Am
- 2:43 F
- 2:44 C
- 2:49 Dm
- 2:50 C
- 2:52 F
- 2:54 C
- 2:59 Am
- 3:01 C
- 3:02 Am
- 3:03 F
- 3:04 C
- 3:10 Am
- 3:11 F
- 3:16 C
- 3:21 Am
- 3:23 C
- 3:24 Am
- 3:25 F
- 3:26 C
- 3:31 Am
- 3:33 C
- 3:34 Am
- 3:35 F
- 3:37 C
- 3:42 Am
- 3:43 C
- 3:44 Am
- 3:45 F
- 3:47 C
- 3:52 Am
- 3:53 C
- 3:54 Am
- 3:55 F
- 3:57 C
- 4:01 Am
- 4:03 C
- 4:04 Am
- 4:05 F
- 4:06 C
Frequently asked questions
What key is Rivers and Roads in?
Rivers and Roads is in C major.
What chords does Rivers and Roads use?
The core of Rivers and Roads cycles through C, Am, F (3 chords).
What is the tempo of Rivers and Roads?
Rivers and Roads runs at 144 BPM in 3/4 time.
What chord progression does Rivers and Roads use?
Rivers and Roads doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 5-chord loop: C-Am-C-Am-F.
What capo should I use for Rivers and Roads?
No capo needed — C major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.