Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder

Key: C#m · 117 BPM · 3/4

Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder is written in E major. Its chords cycle through the I-vi-IV-V progression — 50s / sensitive pop feel: C#m-F#-B-E. At 117 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace, in waltz time. The same chords are equally correct read against E major's relative key, C#m — 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-vi-IV-V progression (50s / sensitive pop feel) in E major. Read against its relative key, this is equivalently i-?-VII-III in C#m — the same chords, two valid readings. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Learn more about the I-vi-IV-V progression

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
No capoEC#m-F#-B-E
Capo 2DBm-E-A-D
Capo 4CAm-D-G-C
Capo 7AF#m-B-E-A

Chord chart

  • 0:00 C#m7
  • 0:02 F#7
  • 0:04 B7
  • 0:06 E
  • 0:08 C#m7
  • 0:10 F#7
  • 0:12 B7
  • 0:14 E
  • 0:16 C#m7
  • 0:18 F#
  • 0:20 B7
  • 0:22 E
  • 0:24 Amaj7
  • 0:26 G#7
  • 0:28 C#m7
  • 0:30 F#7
  • 0:32 B7
  • 0:36 E
  • 0:40 C#m7
  • 0:42 F#7
  • 0:44 B7
  • 0:46 E
  • 0:48 C#m7
  • 0:50 F#7
  • 0:52 Bsus4
  • 0:54 E
  • 0:56 Amaj7
  • 0:58 G#7
  • 1:00 C#m7
  • 1:02 F#7
  • 1:04 Bsus4
  • 1:08 E
  • 1:12 C#m7
  • 1:15 F#m7
  • 1:16 B7
  • 1:18 E
  • 1:20 C#m7
  • 1:23 F#7
  • 1:24 B7
  • 1:27 E
  • 1:29 Amaj7
  • 1:31 G#7
  • 1:33 C#m7
  • 1:35 F#7
  • 1:37 Bsus4
  • 1:41 E
  • 1:45 C#m7
  • 1:47 F#7
  • 1:49 Bsus4
  • 1:51 E
  • 1:53 C#m7
  • 1:55 F#7
  • 1:57 B7
  • 1:59 E
  • 2:01 Amaj7
  • 2:03 G#7
  • 2:05 C#m7
  • 2:07 F#7
  • 2:09 B7
  • 2:13 E
  • 2:17 C#m7
  • 2:19 F#7
  • 2:21 Bsus4
  • 2:23 E
  • 2:25 C#m7
  • 2:27 F#7
  • 2:29 B7
  • 2:31 E
  • 2:33 Amaj7
  • 2:35 G#7
  • 2:37 C#m7
  • 2:40 F#m7
  • 2:41 Bsus4
  • 2:45 E
  • 2:49 C#m7
  • 2:52 F#7
  • 2:53 Bsus4
  • 2:56 E
  • 2:57 C#m7
  • 3:00 F#7
  • 3:02 B7
  • 3:04 E
  • 3:06 Amaj7
  • 3:08 Cdim
  • 3:10 C#m7
  • 3:12 F#7
  • 3:14 Bsus4

Frequently asked questions

What key is Isn't She Lovely in?

Isn't She Lovely is in E major — its chords are also equally valid read against its relative key, C#m, since the two share the same notes.

What chords does Isn't She Lovely use?

The core of Isn't She Lovely cycles through C#m, F#, B, E (4 chords).

What is the tempo of Isn't She Lovely?

Isn't She Lovely runs at 117 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chord progression does Isn't She Lovely use?

Isn't She Lovely follows the I-vi-IV-V progression. It's a 50s / sensitive pop feel.

What capo should I use for Isn't She Lovely?

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

Related songs

Other songs using the I-vi-IV-V progression

Other songs in C#m

More by Stevie Wonder