Elephant by Jason Isbell

Key: G · 123 BPM · 4/4

Elephant by Jason Isbell is written in G major. Its chords cycle through the ii-V-I progression — jazz core resolution (the strongest, most common movement in jazz and musical theater): F-G-Am. At 123 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving 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 G major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Learn more about the ii-V-I progression

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
No capoGF-G-Am
Capo 3ED-E-F#m
Capo 5DC-D-Em
Capo 7CBb-C-Dm

Chord chart

  • 0:00 Am7
  • 0:02 Dm7
  • 0:03 Am7
  • 0:18 Dm7
  • 0:20 Am7
  • 0:26 Dsus4
  • 0:27 Am7
  • 0:30 Dsus4
  • 0:31 Am7
  • 0:41 C
  • 0:44 Am7
  • 0:46 Dm7
  • 0:48 F
  • 0:50 G
  • 0:53 Am7
  • 0:55 F
  • 0:57 G
  • 0:59 Am7
  • 1:03 F
  • 1:05 G
  • 1:09 Am
  • 1:11 F
  • 1:13 G
  • 1:14 Am7
  • 1:17 Dsus4
  • 1:18 Am7
  • 1:21 Dsus4
  • 1:22 Am7
  • 1:28 Dsus4
  • 1:30 Am7
  • 1:32 Dsus4
  • 1:34 Am7
  • 1:36 Dsus4
  • 1:38 Am7
  • 1:44 Dsus4
  • 1:46 Am7
  • 1:48 Dsus4
  • 1:50 Am7
  • 1:52 Dsus4
  • 1:54 Am7
  • 1:56 Dsus4
  • 1:58 Am
  • 2:00 Dsus4
  • 2:01 Am
  • 2:02 F
  • 2:04 G
  • 2:06 C
  • 2:07 G
  • 2:08 Am7
  • 2:10 F
  • 2:11 G
  • 2:13 Am
  • 2:17 F
  • 2:19 G
  • 2:21 C
  • 2:22 G
  • 2:23 Am7
  • 2:25 F
  • 2:27 G
  • 2:29 Am7
  • 2:31 Dsus4
  • 2:32 Am7
  • 2:35 Am
  • 2:36 F
  • 2:38 G
  • 2:40 C
  • 2:41 G
  • 2:42 Am7
  • 2:44 F
  • 2:46 G
  • 2:48 Am7
  • 2:52 F
  • 2:54 G
  • 2:56 C
  • 2:57 G
  • 2:58 Am7
  • 3:00 F
  • 3:01 G
  • 3:03 Am7
  • 3:08 F
  • 3:09 G
  • 3:11 Am7
  • 3:15 F
  • 3:17 G
  • 3:19 Am7
  • 3:25 Dsus4
  • 3:30 Am7

Frequently asked questions

What key is Elephant in?

Elephant is in G major.

What chords does Elephant use?

The core of Elephant cycles through F, G, Am (3 chords).

What is the tempo of Elephant?

Elephant runs at 123 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Elephant use?

Elephant 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 Elephant?

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