Never Can Say Goodbye by The Jackson 5
Key: D · 172 BPM · 4/4
Never Can Say Goodbye by The Jackson 5 is written in D major. Its chords cycle through the ii-V-I progression — jazz core resolution (the strongest, most common movement in jazz and musical theater): Em-A-D. At 172 BPM, it moves at a fast, high-energy pace.
The progression
This song follows the ii-V-I progression (Jazz core resolution (the strongest, most common movement in jazz and musical theater)) in D 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 | D | Em-A-D |
| Capo 2 | C | Dm-G-C |
| Capo 5 | A | Bm-E-A |
| Capo 7 | G | Am-D-G |
Chord chart
- 0:00 Em7
- 0:18 Asus4
- 0:20 Dmaj7
- 0:23 Dsus4
- 0:26 Dmaj7
- 0:28 D
- 0:36 Dsus4
- 0:37 Gmaj7
- 0:40 Em7
- 0:41 Asus4
- 0:43 Em7
- 0:46 Asus4
- 0:48 Em7
- 0:51 Asus4
- 0:55 D
- 1:08 Dsus4
- 1:11 Gmaj7
- 1:14 Em7
- 1:15 A
- 1:17 D
- 1:20 Dm
- 1:22 E7
- 1:24 D
- 1:31 Dm7
- 1:34 E7
- 1:36 D
- 1:40 G
- 1:42 Em
- 1:44 A
- 1:45 Dmaj7
- 1:48 Cmaj7
- 1:51 Dmaj7
- 1:54 Cmaj7
- 1:57 Dmaj7
- 2:00 C
- 2:03 D
- 2:05 Cmaj7
- 2:08 D
- 2:20 C
- 2:22 D
- 2:25 Cmaj7
- 2:28 D
- 2:29 Bm
- 2:34 D
- 2:37 Dmaj7
- 2:40 Cmaj7
- 2:42 D
- 2:45 Cmaj7
- 2:48 Bm7
Frequently asked questions
What key is Never Can Say Goodbye in?
Never Can Say Goodbye is in D major.
What chords does Never Can Say Goodbye use?
The core of Never Can Say Goodbye cycles through Em, A, D (3 chords).
What is the tempo of Never Can Say Goodbye?
Never Can Say Goodbye runs at 172 BPM in 4/4 time.
What chord progression does Never Can Say Goodbye use?
Never Can Say Goodbye follows the ii-V-I progression. It's a jazz core resolution (the strongest, most common movement in jazz and musical theater).
What capo should I use for Never Can Say Goodbye?
No capo needed — D major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.