Cruisin' by Smokey Robinson
Key: E · 172 BPM · 3/4
Cruisin' by Smokey Robinson is written in E 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 — E-F#m — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 172 BPM, it moves at a fast, high-energy pace, in waltz time.
The progression
This song cycles a 2-chord progression in E major: E-F#m. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| No capo | E | E-F#m |
| Capo 2 | D | D-Em |
| Capo 4 | C | C-Dm |
| Capo 7 | A | A-Bm |
Chord chart
- 0:01 E
- 0:15 F#m7
- 0:19 E
- 0:21 F#m7
- 0:25 E
- 0:27 F#m7
- 0:30 E
- 0:32 F#m7
- 0:36 E
- 0:38 F#m7
- 0:42 E
- 0:44 F#m7
- 0:47 E
- 0:49 F#m7
- 0:52 E
- 0:55 F#m7
- 0:58 E
- 1:01 A
- 1:05 B
- 1:07 E
- 1:12 A
- 1:16 B
- 1:18 E
- 1:24 F#m7
- 1:27 E
- 1:29 F#m7
- 1:32 E
- 1:35 F#m7
- 1:38 E
- 1:41 F#m7
- 1:44 E
- 1:46 F#m7
- 1:48 B7
- 1:49 E
- 1:52 F#m7
- 1:55 E
- 1:58 F#m7
- 2:01 E
- 2:03 F#m
- 2:06 E
- 2:09 A
- 2:13 B
- 2:15 E
- 2:20 A
- 2:24 B
- 2:26 E
- 2:38 F#m7
- 2:40 E
- 2:43 F#m7
- 2:45 Bsus4
- 2:46 E
- 2:49 F#m7
- 2:51 E
- 2:54 F#m7
- 2:57 E
- 3:00 F#m7
- 3:03 E
- 3:06 F#m7
- 3:09 E
- 3:12 F#m7
- 3:15 E
- 3:17 F#m7
- 3:21 E
- 3:23 F#m7
- 3:25 Bsus4
- 3:26 E
- 3:29 F#m7
- 3:32 E
- 3:34 F#m7
- 3:37 E
- 3:40 F#m7
- 3:43 E
- 3:46 A
- 3:50 B
- 3:51 E
- 3:57 A
- 4:01 B
- 4:03 E
- 4:09 A
- 4:12 B
- 4:14 E
- 4:20 A
Frequently asked questions
What key is Cruisin' in?
Cruisin' is in E major.
What chords does Cruisin' use?
The core of Cruisin' cycles through E, F#m (2 chords).
What is the tempo of Cruisin'?
Cruisin' runs at 172 BPM in 3/4 time.
What chord progression does Cruisin' use?
Cruisin' doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: E-F#m.
What capo should I use for Cruisin'?
No capo needed — E major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.