Alive by Pearl Jam

Key: D · 161 BPM · 4/4

Alive by Pearl Jam is written in D major. Its chords cycle through the I-V-IV progression — common turnaround / bluesy resolution, played as a IV-I-V rotation: G-D-A. At 161 BPM, it moves at a fast, high-energy pace.

The progression

This song follows the I-V-IV progression (Common turnaround / bluesy resolution), played as a IV-I-V rotation in D major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Learn more about the I-V-IV progression

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
No capoDG-D-A
Capo 2CF-C-G
Capo 5AD-A-E
Capo 7GC-G-D

Chord chart

  • 0:00 A
  • 0:13 G
  • 0:15 A
  • 0:19 G
  • 0:21 A
  • 0:22 D
  • 0:25 C
  • 0:28 A
  • 0:36 G
  • 0:37 A
  • 0:39 Am7
  • 0:40 A
  • 0:42 G
  • 0:50 Am
  • 0:52 F
  • 0:54 C
  • 0:56 F
  • 0:57 C
  • 0:58 Am
  • 0:59 G
  • 1:02 D
  • 1:03 A
  • 1:06 G
  • 1:08 D
  • 1:09 A
  • 1:12 G
  • 1:13 D
  • 1:15 A
  • 1:17 Bm
  • 1:19 A
  • 1:20 G
  • 1:24 D
  • 1:25 A
  • 1:26 G
  • 1:28 A
  • 1:30 Bm
  • 1:31 A
  • 1:32 G
  • 1:34 A
  • 1:38 G
  • 1:40 Am
  • 1:43 F
  • 1:44 C
  • 1:46 F
  • 1:47 A
  • 1:51 G
  • 1:52 D
  • 1:54 A
  • 1:57 G
  • 1:58 D
  • 2:00 A
  • 2:03 G
  • 2:04 D
  • 2:06 A
  • 2:09 G
  • 2:10 D
  • 2:12 A
  • 2:13 B
  • 2:16 F#
  • 2:19 B
  • 2:22 F#
  • 2:24 B
  • 2:27 F#
  • 2:30 B
  • 2:32 F#m
  • 2:37 D
  • 2:39 A7
  • 2:40 D
  • 2:42 C#dim
  • 2:43 D
  • 2:45 Em
  • 2:46 D
  • 2:50 B
  • 2:52 E
  • 2:53 B
  • 2:58 E
  • 3:01 G
  • 3:02 D
  • 3:04 A
  • 3:07 G
  • 3:08 D
  • 3:10 A
  • 3:13 G
  • 3:14 D
  • 3:16 A
  • 3:18 G
  • 3:20 D
  • 3:21 A
  • 3:24 G
  • 3:26 D
  • 3:27 A
  • 3:29 Em
  • 3:30 G
  • 3:32 D
  • 3:36 G
  • 3:38 D
  • 3:39 A
  • 3:40 Em
  • 3:42 G
  • 3:43 D
  • 3:45 A
  • 3:48 G
  • 3:49 D
  • 3:51 A
  • 3:54 G
  • 3:55 D
  • 3:56 A
  • 3:59 G
  • 4:01 D
  • 4:03 A
  • 4:05 G
  • 4:07 D
  • 4:08 A
  • 4:11 G
  • 4:13 D
  • 4:14 A
  • 4:17 G
  • 4:18 D
  • 4:20 A
  • 4:21 E
  • 4:23 G
  • 4:24 D
  • 4:26 A
  • 4:27 Em
  • 4:28 G
  • 4:30 D
  • 4:31 A
  • 4:33 Em
  • 4:34 G
  • 4:36 D
  • 4:37 A
  • 4:40 G
  • 4:41 D
  • 4:43 A
  • 4:46 G
  • 4:47 D
  • 4:49 A
  • 4:52 G
  • 5:10 D
  • 5:11 A
  • 5:14 G
  • 5:16 D
  • 5:17 A

Frequently asked questions

What key is Alive in?

Alive is in D major.

What chords does Alive use?

The core of Alive cycles through G, D, A (3 chords).

What is the tempo of Alive?

Alive runs at 161 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Alive use?

Alive follows the I-V-IV progression, played as a IV-I-V rotation. It's a common turnaround / bluesy resolution.

What capo should I use for Alive?

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

Related songs

Other songs using the I-V-IV progression

Other songs in D major

More by Pearl Jam