The Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson

Key: C# · 129 BPM · 3/4

The Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson 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 129 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace, in waltz time.

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
Capo 1	C	C-F
Capo 4	A	A-D
Capo 6	G	G-C

Chord chart

0:00 C#
0:08 F#
0:09 B
0:11 C#
0:12 F#
0:15 C#
0:16 F#
0:18 C#
0:19 F#
0:22 C#
0:24 B
0:26 C#
0:27 F#
0:30 C#
0:31 F#
0:35 B
0:37 C#
0:38 F#
0:41 C#
0:42 F#
0:45 C#
0:45 F#
0:48 C#
0:49 F#
0:52 G#
0:54 F7
0:56 A#m
0:58 F#
1:00 C#
1:08 F#
1:09 B
1:10 C#
1:12 F#
1:14 C#
1:15 F#
1:18 C#
1:19 F#
1:22 C#
1:25 F#
1:25 C#
1:27 F#
1:29 C#
1:30 F#
1:37 C#
1:38 F#
1:41 C#
1:41 F#
1:44 C#
1:45 F#
1:48 C#
1:49 F#
1:52 G#
1:54 F
1:55 A#m
1:57 F#
1:59 C#
2:07 F#
2:10 C#
2:11 F#
2:14 C#
2:15 F#
2:22 C#
2:26 F#
2:27 B
2:29 C#
2:30 F#
2:31 B
2:33 C#
2:35 B
2:36 C#
2:37 F#
2:40 C#
2:41 F#
2:44 C#
2:45 F#
2:48 C#
2:49 F#
2:51 C#
2:52 F#
2:55 C#
2:56 F#

Frequently asked questions

What key is The Tears of a Clown in?

The Tears of a Clown is in C# major.

What chords does The Tears of a Clown use?

The core of The Tears of a Clown cycles through C#, F# (2 chords).

What is the tempo of The Tears of a Clown?

The Tears of a Clown runs at 129 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does The Tears of a Clown use?

The Tears of a Clown doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: C#-F#.

What capo should I use for The Tears of a Clown?

Capo 1 and play C major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in C# major.