The Promise by Tracy Chapman
Key: C# · 144 BPM · 4/4
The Promise by Tracy Chapman is written in C# major. Its chords cycle through the I-IV-V progression — classic resolving progression (1-4-5), played as a V-I-IV rotation: G#-C#-F#. At 144 BPM, it moves at a brisk, upbeat pace.
The progression
This song follows the I-IV-V progression (Classic resolving progression (1-4-5)), played as a V-I-IV rotation in C# major. 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 | G-C-F |
| Capo 4 | A | E-A-D |
| Capo 6 | G | D-G-C |
Chord chart
- 0:00 C#
- 0:10 F#maj7
- 0:11 C#
- 0:20 A#m7
- 0:23 F#maj7
- 0:27 Fm
- 0:30 G#
- 0:34 Fm
- 0:35 A#m
- 0:37 G#sus4
- 0:39 C#
- 0:49 C#maj7
- 0:50 F#maj7
- 0:52 C#
- 0:57 F#maj7
- 0:59 C#
- 1:02 Cm
- 1:04 F#maj7
- 1:06 G#
- 1:08 Fm
- 1:09 A#m
- 1:10 Fm
- 1:11 G#
- 1:14 Fm
- 1:16 A#m
- 1:18 F#
- 1:19 G#sus4
- 1:20 C#
- 1:23 G#
- 1:25 F#
- 1:26 C#
- 1:28 A#m
- 1:30 F#
- 1:31 C#
- 1:34 G#
- 1:35 A#m
- 1:37 F#
- 1:38 G#
- 1:40 C#
- 1:41 G#
- 1:42 A#m
- 1:43 F#
- 1:45 G#
- 1:47 C#
- 1:49 G#
- 1:50 F#
- 1:52 G#sus4
- 1:54 C#
- 1:56 G#
- 1:57 A#m7
- 2:01 C#
- 2:02 Fm
- 2:04 F#maj7
- 2:06 C#
- 2:11 F#maj7
- 2:12 G#
- 2:14 Fm
- 2:16 A#m
- 2:17 G#
- 2:21 Fm
- 2:22 A#m
- 2:24 F#
- 2:26 G#
- 2:28 C#
- 2:29 G#
- 2:31 F#
- 2:33 C#
- 2:34 A#m
- 2:36 F#
- 2:38 C#
- 2:40 G#
- 2:41 A#m
- 2:43 F#
- 2:45 G#
- 2:46 C#
- 2:47 G#
- 2:48 A#m
- 2:50 F#
- 2:51 G#
- 2:53 C#
- 2:55 G#maj6
- 2:57 F#
- 2:58 C#
- 3:02 G#
- 3:03 A#m7
- 3:05 C#
- 3:08 G#
- 3:10 F#maj7
- 3:12 G#sus4
- 3:13 C#
- 3:17 F#maj7
- 3:19 G#sus4
- 3:20 Fm
- 3:24 G#
- 3:27 Fm
- 3:29 A#m
- 3:31 F#
- 3:32 C#
- 3:36 G#
- 3:37 F#
- 3:39 C#
- 3:41 A#m
- 3:43 F#
- 3:44 C#
- 3:48 A#m
- 3:49 F#
- 3:51 G#
- 3:53 C#
- 3:54 A#m
- 3:56 F#
- 3:58 C#
- 4:01 G#
- 4:03 F#
- 4:05 C#
- 4:06 G#
- 4:06 A#m
- 4:08 F#
- 4:10 G#sus4
- 4:11 C#
- 4:13 A#m
- 4:15 F#
- 4:16 G#
- 4:18 C#
- 4:20 A#m
- 4:22 F#
- 4:23 G#
- 4:25 C#
- 4:26 G#
- 4:26 A#m
- 4:28 F#
- 4:30 G#sus4
- 4:32 F#
- 4:33 G#
- 4:33 C#
- 4:37 F#
- 4:38 C#
- 4:40 Fm
- 4:44 A#m
- 4:47 F#
- 4:50 G#
- 4:53 C#
- 4:59 G#
- 5:01 F#
- 5:02 G#sus4
- 5:04 C#
- 5:06 G#
- 5:08 F#
- 5:09 G#sus4
- 5:11 C#
- 5:13 C#maj7
- 5:14 F#
- 5:16 G#sus4
- 5:18 C#
Frequently asked questions
What key is The Promise in?
The Promise is in C# major.
What chords does The Promise use?
The core of The Promise cycles through G#, C#, F# (3 chords).
What is the tempo of The Promise?
The Promise runs at 144 BPM in 4/4 time.
What chord progression does The Promise use?
The Promise follows the I-IV-V progression, played as a V-I-IV rotation. It's a classic resolving progression (1-4-5).
What capo should I use for The Promise?
Capo 1 and play C major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in C# major.