Secret Smile by Semisonic
Key: G# · 99 BPM · 4/4
Secret Smile by Semisonic is written in Ab major. Rather than one of the handful of progressions that show up again and again across pop and rock, it settles into its own 3-chord loop — Ab-Gb-Bbm — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 99 BPM, it moves at a relaxed, mid-tempo pace.
The progression
This song cycles a 3-chord progression in Ab major: Ab-Gb-Bbm. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| Capo 1 | G | G-F-Am |
| Capo 4 | E | E-D-F#m |
| Capo 6 | D | D-C-Em |
Chord chart
- 0:00 Bbm
- 0:02 Ebm7
- 0:05 Ab
- 0:07 Gb
- 0:09 Bbm
- 0:12 Ebm
- 0:14 Ab
- 0:17 Gb
- 0:19 Bbm
- 0:23 Ab
- 0:26 Gb
- 0:29 Bbm
- 0:33 Ab
- 0:36 Gb
- 0:38 Bbm
- 0:43 Ab
- 0:46 Gb
- 0:48 Bbm7
- 0:53 Ab
- 0:55 Gb
- 0:58 Bbm
- 1:02 Ab
- 1:05 Gb
- 1:07 Bbm
- 1:12 Ab
- 1:15 Gb
- 1:17 Bbm
- 1:22 Ab
- 1:24 Gb
- 1:27 Bbm
- 1:32 Ab
- 1:34 Gb
- 1:37 Bbm
- 1:40 Ebm
- 1:42 Ab
- 1:44 Gb
- 1:46 Ab
- 1:49 Gb
- 1:51 Db
- 1:54 Eb
- 1:56 Ab
- 1:58 Db
- 2:03 Eb
- 2:06 Ab
- 2:08 Db
- 2:11 Bbm
- 2:15 Ab
- 2:18 Gb
- 2:20 Bbm
- 2:24 Ab
- 2:28 Gb
- 2:30 Bbm
- 2:35 Ab
- 2:37 Gb
- 2:40 Bbm
- 2:45 Absus4
- 2:47 Gb
- 2:49 Ab
- 2:52 Gb
- 2:54 Db
- 2:57 Eb
- 2:59 Ab
- 3:02 Db
- 3:06 Eb
- 3:09 Ab
- 3:11 Db
- 3:16 Eb7
- 3:19 Ab
- 3:21 Db
- 3:23 Dbmaj6
- 3:26 Eb
- 3:28 Ab
- 3:33 Bbm
- 3:37 Ab
- 3:40 Gb
- 3:43 Bbm
- 3:46 Eb
- 3:48 Ab
- 3:52 Bbm7
- 3:52 Bbm
- 3:57 Ab
- 4:02 Bbm
- 4:05 Ebm
- 4:07 Ab
- 4:09 Gb
- 4:12 Bbm7
- 4:15 Ebm
- 4:17 Absus4
- 4:19 Gb
- 4:21 Bbm7
- 4:25 Ebm
- 4:26 Absus4
- 4:29 Gb
- 4:30 Bbm
Frequently asked questions
What key is Secret Smile in?
Secret Smile is in Ab major.
What chords does Secret Smile use?
The core of Secret Smile cycles through Ab, Gb, Bbm (3 chords).
What is the tempo of Secret Smile?
Secret Smile runs at 99 BPM in 4/4 time.
What chord progression does Secret Smile use?
Secret Smile doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 3-chord loop: Ab-Gb-Bbm.
What capo should I use for Secret Smile?
Capo 1 and play G major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in Ab major.