You Can't Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones
Key: C · 185 BPM · 4/4
You Can't Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones 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 — C-F — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 185 BPM, it moves at a fast, high-energy pace.
The progression
This song cycles a 2-chord progression in C major: C-F. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| No capo | C | C-F |
| Capo 3 | A | A-D |
| Capo 5 | G | G-C |
Chord chart
- 0:02 C
- 0:05 F
- 0:08 C
- 0:11 F
- 0:14 C
- 0:17 F
- 0:19 C
- 0:22 F
- 0:25 C
- 0:28 F
- 0:31 C
- 0:34 F
- 0:37 C
- 0:40 F
- 0:43 D
- 0:46 F
- 0:49 C
- 0:54 F
- 0:56 C
- 1:00 F
- 1:02 C
- 1:06 F
- 1:08 C
- 1:12 F
- 1:15 C
- 1:18 F
- 1:21 C
- 1:24 F
- 1:26 C
- 1:30 F
- 1:33 C
- 1:36 F
- 1:39 C
- 1:42 F
- 1:45 C
- 1:48 F
- 1:50 C
- 1:54 F
- 1:56 C
- 1:57 D
- 1:59 F
- 2:02 C
- 2:05 F
- 2:08 C
- 2:10 F
- 2:13 C7
- 2:16 F
- 2:18 C7
- 2:21 F
- 2:24 C7
- 2:27 F
- 2:29 C7
- 2:32 F
- 2:35 C
- 2:37 F
- 2:40 C
- 2:43 F
- 2:45 C
- 2:48 F
- 2:51 D
- 2:54 F
- 2:56 C
- 2:59 F
- 3:02 C
- 3:04 F
- 3:07 C
- 3:10 F
- 3:12 C
- 3:15 F
- 3:18 C
- 3:20 F
- 3:23 C
- 3:26 F
- 3:28 C
- 3:31 F
- 3:34 C
- 3:36 F
- 3:39 C
- 3:42 F
- 3:44 C
- 3:47 F
- 3:50 C
- 3:52 F
- 3:55 C
- 3:58 F
- 4:00 C
- 4:03 F
- 4:06 Dm
- 4:08 F
- 4:11 C
- 4:13 F
- 4:18 G
- 4:21 F
- 4:24 Dm7
- 4:27 G
- 4:29 C
- 4:32 F
- 4:34 C
- 4:37 F
- 4:40 C
- 4:42 F
- 4:45 Dm7
- 4:47 F
- 4:50 C
- 4:52 F
- 4:55 C
- 4:58 F
- 5:00 C7
- 5:03 F
- 5:06 C7
- 5:08 F
- 5:11 C
- 5:13 F
- 5:16 C
- 5:19 F
- 5:21 C
- 5:24 F
- 5:27 C
- 5:29 F
- 5:32 C
- 5:35 F
- 5:37 D
- 5:40 F
- 5:42 C
- 5:45 F
- 5:47 C
- 5:50 F
- 5:52 C
- 5:55 F
- 5:58 C
- 6:00 F
- 6:03 C
- 6:05 F
- 6:08 Dm
- 6:10 F
- 6:13 C
- 6:16 F
- 6:18 C
- 6:21 F
- 6:23 C
- 6:26 F
- 6:29 C
- 6:31 F
- 6:34 C
- 6:36 F
- 6:39 C7
- 6:41 F
- 6:44 C
- 6:46 F
- 6:49 C
- 6:52 F
- 6:54 C
- 6:57 F
- 6:59 C
- 7:02 F
- 7:04 C
- 7:07 F
- 7:09 C
- 7:12 F
- 7:14 C
- 7:17 F
- 7:19 C
- 7:22 F
Frequently asked questions
What key is You Can't Always Get What You Want in?
You Can't Always Get What You Want is in C major.
What chords does You Can't Always Get What You Want use?
The core of You Can't Always Get What You Want cycles through C, F (2 chords).
What is the tempo of You Can't Always Get What You Want?
You Can't Always Get What You Want runs at 185 BPM in 4/4 time.
What chord progression does You Can't Always Get What You Want use?
You Can't Always Get What You Want doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: C-F.
What capo should I use for You Can't Always Get What You Want?
No capo needed — C major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.