Free Fallin' by Tom Petty

Key: F · 83 BPM · 4/4

Free Fallin' by Tom Petty is written in F major. Its chords cycle through the I-IV-I-V progression — plagal + authentic mix, played as a I-V-I-IV rotation: F-C-F-Bb. At 83 BPM, it moves at a relaxed, mid-tempo pace.

The progression

This song follows the I-IV-I-V progression (Plagal + authentic mix), played as a I-V-I-IV rotation in F major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

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

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
Capo 1EE-B-A
Capo 3DD-A-G
Capo 5CC-G-F

Chord chart

  • 0:03 F
  • 0:07 C
  • 0:08 F
  • 0:15 Bb
  • 0:17 F
  • 0:21 Bb
  • 0:23 F
  • 0:27 Bb
  • 0:29 F
  • 0:32 Bb
  • 0:34 F
  • 0:35 Csus4
  • 0:37 F
  • 0:41 Csus4
  • 0:43 F
  • 0:44 Bb
  • 0:45 F
  • 0:52 Csus4
  • 0:54 F
  • 0:55 Bb
  • 0:57 F
  • 1:01 Bb
  • 1:03 F
  • 1:04 Csus4
  • 1:05 F
  • 1:07 Bb
  • 1:09 F
  • 1:09 C
  • 1:11 F
  • 1:12 Bb
  • 1:14 F
  • 1:15 C
  • 1:17 F
  • 1:18 Bb
  • 1:20 F
  • 1:21 C
  • 1:23 F
  • 1:24 Bb
  • 1:26 F
  • 1:27 C
  • 1:28 F
  • 1:38 C
  • 1:40 F
  • 1:41 Bb
  • 1:43 F
  • 1:44 C
  • 1:45 F
  • 1:49 C
  • 1:51 F
  • 1:52 Bb
  • 1:54 F
  • 1:55 C
  • 1:57 F
  • 1:58 Bb
  • 2:00 F
  • 2:01 Csus4
  • 2:02 F
  • 2:04 Bb
  • 2:06 F
  • 2:06 C
  • 2:08 F
  • 2:09 Bb
  • 2:11 F
  • 2:12 C
  • 2:14 F
  • 2:15 Bb
  • 2:17 F
  • 2:18 C
  • 2:19 F
  • 2:21 Bb
  • 2:23 F
  • 2:23 C
  • 2:25 F
  • 2:26 Bb
  • 2:28 F
  • 2:29 C
  • 2:31 F
  • 2:32 Bb
  • 2:34 F
  • 2:35 C
  • 2:37 F
  • 2:38 Bb
  • 2:39 F
  • 2:43 Bb
  • 2:45 F
  • 2:46 C
  • 2:48 F
  • 2:49 Bb
  • 2:51 F
  • 2:55 Bb
  • 2:57 F
  • 2:58 C
  • 2:59 F
  • 3:00 Bb
  • 3:03 F
  • 3:03 C
  • 3:05 F
  • 3:06 Bb
  • 3:08 F
  • 3:09 C
  • 3:11 F
  • 3:12 Bb
  • 3:14 F
  • 3:15 C
  • 3:16 F
  • 3:18 Bb
  • 3:20 F
  • 3:20 C
  • 3:22 F
  • 3:23 Bb
  • 3:25 F
  • 3:26 C
  • 3:28 F
  • 3:29 Bb
  • 3:31 F
  • 3:32 C
  • 3:33 F
  • 3:35 Bb
  • 3:37 F
  • 3:37 C
  • 3:39 F
  • 3:40 Bb
  • 3:42 F
  • 3:43 C
  • 3:45 F
  • 3:46 Bb
  • 3:48 F
  • 3:49 C
  • 3:51 F
  • 3:52 Bb
  • 3:54 F
  • 3:55 C
  • 3:56 F
  • 3:57 Bb
  • 3:59 F
  • 4:00 C
  • 4:02 F
  • 4:03 Bb
  • 4:05 F
  • 4:06 C
  • 4:08 F
  • 4:09 Bb

Frequently asked questions

What key is Free Fallin' in?

Free Fallin' is in F major.

What chords does Free Fallin' use?

The core of Free Fallin' cycles through F, C, Bb (3 chords).

What is the tempo of Free Fallin'?

Free Fallin' runs at 83 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Free Fallin' use?

Free Fallin' follows the I-IV-I-V progression, played as a I-V-I-IV rotation. It's a plagal + authentic mix.

What capo should I use for Free Fallin'?

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

Related songs

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

Other songs in F major

More by Tom Petty