She Used to Be Mine by Sara Bareilles
Key: Dm · 117 BPM · 4/4
She Used to Be Mine by Sara Bareilles is written in F major. Its chords cycle through the I-V-vi-IV progression — modern pop / Axis progression (extremely common, often looped), played as a IV-I-V-vi rotation: Bb-F-C-Dm. At 117 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace. The same chords are equally correct read against F major's relative key, Dm — two valid ways to name the exact same notes, depending on which one the song feels like it's resolving to.
The progression
This song follows the I-V-vi-IV progression (Modern pop / Axis progression (extremely common, often looped)), played as a IV-I-V-vi rotation in F major. Read against its relative key, this is equivalently VI-III-VII-i in Dm — the same chords, two valid readings. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| Capo 1 | E | A-E-B-C#m |
| Capo 3 | D | G-D-A-Bm |
| Capo 5 | C | F-C-G-Am |
Chord chart
- 0:00 Bb
- 0:05 F
- 0:17 C
- 0:23 Dm
- 0:30 Bb
- 0:35 F
- 0:41 C
- 0:47 Dm
- 0:53 Bb
- 0:58 F
- 1:06 C
- 1:11 Dm
- 1:18 Bb
- 1:23 F
- 1:30 C
- 1:36 Dm
- 1:41 Bb
- 1:48 F
- 2:00 C
- 2:06 Dm
- 2:11 Bb
- 2:17 F
- 2:24 A
- 2:29 Dm
- 2:35 Bb
- 2:41 F
- 2:47 C
- 2:53 Dm
- 3:00 Bb
- 3:05 F
- 3:11 A
- 3:17 Dm
- 3:23 Bb
- 3:30 F
- 3:35 A
- 3:41 Dm
- 3:48 Bb
- 3:53 F
- 4:00 C
- 4:05 Dm
- 4:11 Bb
- 4:17 F
- 4:23 C
- 4:30 Dm
- 4:35 Bb
- 4:41 F
Frequently asked questions
What key is She Used to Be Mine in?
She Used to Be Mine is in F major — its chords are also equally valid read against its relative key, Dm, since the two share the same notes.
What chords does She Used to Be Mine use?
The core of She Used to Be Mine cycles through Bb, F, C, Dm (4 chords).
What is the tempo of She Used to Be Mine?
She Used to Be Mine runs at 117 BPM in 4/4 time.
What chord progression does She Used to Be Mine use?
She Used to Be Mine follows the I-V-vi-IV progression, played as a IV-I-V-vi rotation. It's a modern pop / Axis progression (extremely common, often looped).
What capo should I use for She Used to Be Mine?
Capo 1 and play E major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in F major.