How Sweet It Is by Marvin Gaye

Key: C · 112 BPM · 3/4

How Sweet It Is by Marvin Gaye 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 2-chord loop — F-C — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 112 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace, in waltz time.

The progression

This song cycles a 2-chord progression in C major: F-C. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
No capoCF-C
Capo 3AD-A
Capo 5GC-G

Chord chart

  • 0:02 F
  • 0:04 C
  • 0:08 F
  • 0:13 C
  • 0:16 F
  • 0:19 C
  • 0:21 Am
  • 0:23 G
  • 0:24 F
  • 0:27 C
  • 0:30 Am
  • 0:32 G
  • 0:33 F
  • 0:36 C
  • 0:38 F
  • 0:40 C
  • 0:42 F
  • 0:44 C
  • 0:47 F
  • 0:49 C
  • 0:51 F
  • 0:57 C
  • 1:02 F
  • 1:04 Gsus4
  • 1:05 F
  • 1:06 C
  • 1:12 Am
  • 1:14 G
  • 1:16 F
  • 1:19 C
  • 1:21 Am
  • 1:23 G
  • 1:25 F
  • 1:27 C
  • 1:30 F
  • 1:32 C
  • 1:34 F
  • 1:36 C
  • 1:38 F
  • 1:40 C
  • 1:43 F
  • 1:46 Dm7
  • 1:47 Gsus4
  • 1:48 F
  • 1:49 C
  • 1:53 F
  • 1:58 C
  • 2:01 F
  • 2:02 C
  • 2:04 Am
  • 2:06 G
  • 2:09 F
  • 2:11 C
  • 2:13 F
  • 2:15 C
  • 2:18 F
  • 2:20 C
  • 2:22 F
  • 2:25 C
  • 2:26 F
  • 2:33 C
  • 2:37 F
  • 2:41 C
  • 2:45 F
  • 2:50 C

Frequently asked questions

What key is How Sweet It Is in?

How Sweet It Is is in C major.

What chords does How Sweet It Is use?

The core of How Sweet It Is cycles through F, C (2 chords).

What is the tempo of How Sweet It Is?

How Sweet It Is runs at 112 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does How Sweet It Is use?

How Sweet It Is doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: F-C.

What capo should I use for How Sweet It Is?

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

Related songs

Other songs in C major

More by Marvin Gaye