Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues

Key: Em · 161 BPM · 4/4

Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues sits in Em, giving it a darker, more unresolved color than a major-key song would have. Rather than one of the handful of progressions that show up again and again across pop and rock, it settles into its own 5-chord loop — Em-D-Em-D-C — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 161 BPM, it moves at a fast, high-energy pace.

The progression

This song cycles a 5-chord progression in Em: Em-D-Em-D-C. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
No capoEmEm-D-C
Capo 2DmDm-C-Bb
Capo 7AmAm-G-F

Chord chart

  • 0:00 Em
  • 0:02 D
  • 0:05 Em
  • 0:07 D
  • 0:10 Em
  • 0:12 D
  • 0:15 Em
  • 0:17 D
  • 0:19 C
  • 0:22 G
  • 0:24 F
  • 0:27 Em
  • 0:31 D
  • 0:34 Em
  • 0:36 D
  • 0:38 C
  • 0:41 G
  • 0:43 F
  • 0:45 Em
  • 0:48 A
  • 0:52 C
  • 0:57 Em
  • 0:59 D
  • 1:02 Em
  • 1:04 D
  • 1:06 Em
  • 1:09 D
  • 1:11 Em
  • 1:13 D
  • 1:16 C
  • 1:18 G
  • 1:20 F
  • 1:23 Em
  • 1:27 D
  • 1:30 Em
  • 1:32 D
  • 1:34 C
  • 1:37 G
  • 1:39 F
  • 1:41 Em
  • 1:44 A
  • 1:48 C
  • 1:53 Em
  • 1:55 D
  • 1:57 Em
  • 2:00 D
  • 2:02 Em
  • 2:09 D
  • 2:11 C
  • 2:13 B7
  • 2:16 Em
  • 2:18 D
  • 2:20 C
  • 2:22 B7
  • 2:25 Em
  • 2:27 C
  • 2:29 Em
  • 2:31 C
  • 2:34 Am
  • 2:36 B7
  • 2:38 Am
  • 2:41 B7
  • 2:43 Em
  • 2:45 D
  • 2:47 C
  • 2:49 Em
  • 2:51 D
  • 2:54 Em
  • 2:56 D
  • 2:58 Em
  • 3:00 D
  • 3:03 Em
  • 3:05 D
  • 3:07 C
  • 3:10 G
  • 3:12 F
  • 3:14 Em
  • 3:19 D
  • 3:21 Em
  • 3:23 D
  • 3:26 C
  • 3:28 G
  • 3:30 F
  • 3:32 Em
  • 3:34 A
  • 3:39 C
  • 3:43 Em
  • 3:46 D
  • 3:48 Em
  • 3:50 D
  • 3:52 Em
  • 3:57 A
  • 4:01 C
  • 4:05 Em
  • 4:07 D
  • 4:09 Em
  • 4:12 D
  • 4:14 Em

Frequently asked questions

What key is Nights in White Satin in?

Nights in White Satin is in Em.

What chords does Nights in White Satin use?

The core of Nights in White Satin cycles through Em, D, C (3 chords).

What is the tempo of Nights in White Satin?

Nights in White Satin runs at 161 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Nights in White Satin use?

Nights in White Satin doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 5-chord loop: Em-D-Em-D-C.

What capo should I use for Nights in White Satin?

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

Related songs

Other songs in Em