The Pretender by Jackson Browne

Key: G · 103 BPM · 4/4

The Pretender by Jackson Browne is written in G major. Its chords cycle through the I-IV-I-V progression — plagal + authentic mix: G-C-G-D. At 103 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace.

The progression

This song follows the I-IV-I-V progression (Plagal + authentic mix) in G major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

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

Play it in other keys

Capo	Shape key	Chords to play
No capo	G	G-C-D
Capo 3	E	E-A-B
Capo 5	D	D-G-A
Capo 7	C	C-F-G

Chord chart

0:00 G
0:05 C
0:09 G
0:14 C
0:15 Cmaj7
0:19 G
0:24 C
0:29 G
0:34 D
0:36 C
0:38 G
0:41 C
0:43 G
0:45 C
0:48 G
0:50 D
0:53 C
0:53 G
0:57 C
0:58 G
1:07 C
1:12 G
1:16 D
1:19 C
1:21 G
1:23 C
1:26 G
1:28 C
1:30 G
1:33 D
1:35 C
1:36 G
1:40 C
1:41 G
1:45 D
1:47 C
1:49 Em
1:52 Bm
1:54 C
1:59 Em
2:03 C
2:06 G
2:08 B7
2:10 Em
2:17 D
2:22 C
2:24 D
2:27 Em
2:32 C
2:33 D
2:36 G
2:43 C
2:50 G
2:53 C
3:00 Em
3:02 D#dim
3:04 G
3:06 C
3:09 G
3:11 Em
3:15 D
3:18 G
3:23 C
3:28 G
3:33 D
3:35 C
3:37 G
3:40 C
3:42 G
3:44 C
3:47 G
3:49 D
3:51 C
3:52 G
3:56 C
3:57 G
4:01 D
4:03 C
4:05 Em
4:08 B
4:10 C
4:15 Em
4:19 C
4:21 G
4:24 B7
4:26 Em
4:30 A7
4:33 D
4:38 C
4:40 D
4:42 Em
4:47 C
4:49 D
4:52 G
4:59 C
5:06 G
5:08 C
5:15 G
5:20 C
5:24 G
5:29 C
5:33 G
5:38 C
5:43 G
5:47 C

Frequently asked questions

What key is The Pretender in?

The Pretender is in G major.

What chords does The Pretender use?

The core of The Pretender cycles through G, C, D (3 chords).

What is the tempo of The Pretender?

The Pretender runs at 103 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does The Pretender use?

The Pretender follows the I-IV-I-V progression. It's a plagal + authentic mix.

What capo should I use for The Pretender?

No capo needed — G major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.