Reelin' In the Years by Steely Dan

Key: D · 136 BPM · 3/4

Reelin' In the Years by Steely Dan is written in D 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 — G-A — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 136 BPM, it moves at a brisk, upbeat pace, in waltz time.

The progression

This song cycles a 2-chord progression in D major: G-A. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Play it in other keys

Capo	Shape key	Chords to play
No capo	D	G-A
Capo 2	C	F-G
Capo 5	A	D-E
Capo 7	G	C-D

Chord chart

0:01 G
0:05 A
0:08 G
0:12 A
0:15 G
0:19 A
0:23 G
0:26 A
0:30 D
0:31 A
0:33 D
0:34 A
0:40 D
0:41 A
0:42 Bm7
0:43 A
0:45 Gmaj7
0:47 G
0:49 A
0:52 Gmaj7
0:54 G
0:56 A
0:59 G
1:03 A
1:07 Gmaj7
1:08 G
1:10 F#m7
1:13 D
1:14 A
1:17 D
1:18 A
1:19 Bm7
1:20 A
1:24 D
1:25 A
1:26 Bm7
1:27 A
1:29 Gmaj7
1:31 G
1:32 A
1:36 G
1:39 A
1:43 G
1:47 A
1:50 G
1:54 F#m
1:57 G
2:01 A
2:04 G
2:08 A
2:11 G
2:15 A
2:18 G
2:22 A
2:25 G
2:29 A
2:32 G
2:36 A
2:40 G
2:43 A
2:47 G
2:50 A
2:54 D
2:55 A
2:56 Bm
2:57 A
2:58 D
2:58 A
3:03 D
3:04 A
3:05 D
3:05 A
3:09 G
3:13 A
3:16 G
3:20 A
3:24 G
3:27 A
3:31 G
3:34 F#m7
3:38 G
3:41 A
3:45 G
3:48 A
3:52 G
3:55 A
3:59 G
4:05 A
4:06 G
4:10 A
4:13 G
4:17 A
4:20 G
4:24 A
4:27 G

Frequently asked questions

What key is Reelin' In the Years in?

Reelin' In the Years is in D major.

What chords does Reelin' In the Years use?

The core of Reelin' In the Years cycles through G, A (2 chords).

What is the tempo of Reelin' In the Years?

Reelin' In the Years runs at 136 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does Reelin' In the Years use?

Reelin' In the Years doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: G-A.

What capo should I use for Reelin' In the Years?

No capo needed — D major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.