Candy Man by Mississippi John Hurt
Key: A · 129 BPM · 4/4
Candy Man by Mississippi John Hurt is written in A major. Rather than one of the handful of progressions that show up again and again across pop and rock, it settles into its own 7-chord loop — A-Bm-A-D-A-Bm-A — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 129 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace.
The progression
This song cycles a 7-chord progression in A major: A-Bm-A-D-A-Bm-A. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| No capo | A | A-Bm-D |
| Capo 2 | G | G-Am-C |
| Capo 5 | E | E-F#m-A |
| Capo 7 | D | D-Em-G |
Chord chart
- 0:00 A
- 0:07 E
- 0:08 A
- 0:11 Bm
- 0:14 A
- 0:22 Bm
- 0:24 A
- 0:27 D
- 0:30 A
- 0:43 Bm
- 0:45 A
- 0:53 Bm
- 0:55 A
- 0:58 Bm
- 1:00 A
- 1:09 D
- 1:12 A
- 1:16 Bm
- 1:18 A
- 1:36 Bm
- 1:38 A
- 1:46 Bm
- 1:48 A
- 1:53 Bm
- 1:54 A
- 2:08 D
- 2:11 A
- 2:15 Bm
- 2:27 A
- 2:37 Bm
- 2:38 A
- 2:42 Bm
- 2:44 A
Frequently asked questions
What key is Candy Man in?
Candy Man is in A major.
What chords does Candy Man use?
The core of Candy Man cycles through A, Bm, D (3 chords).
What is the tempo of Candy Man?
Candy Man runs at 129 BPM in 4/4 time.
What chord progression does Candy Man use?
Candy Man doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 7-chord loop: A-Bm-A-D-A-Bm-A.
What capo should I use for Candy Man?
No capo needed — A major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.