Dance the Night Away by Van Halen
Key: D# · 129 BPM · 3/4
Dance the Night Away by Van Halen is written in Eb major. Its chords cycle through the I-IV-I-V progression — plagal + authentic mix, played as a I-V-I-IV rotation: Eb-Bb-Eb-Ab. At 129 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace, in waltz time.
The progression
This song follows the I-IV-I-V progression (Plagal + authentic mix), played as a I-V-I-IV rotation in Eb 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 | D | D-A-G |
| Capo 3 | C | C-G-F |
| Capo 6 | A | A-E-D |
Chord chart
- 0:03 Eb
- 0:13 Bb
- 0:14 Eb
- 0:16 Ab
- 0:18 Eb
- 0:24 Bb
- 0:25 Eb
- 0:32 Bb
- 0:34 Cm
- 0:38 Bb
- 0:40 Eb
- 0:41 Cm
- 0:42 Bb
- 0:45 Cm
- 0:46 Bb
- 0:48 Eb
- 0:57 Bb
- 0:59 Eb
- 1:12 Bb
- 1:14 Eb
- 1:16 Ab
- 1:17 Eb
- 1:19 Cm
- 1:23 Bb
- 1:26 Cm
- 1:27 Bb
- 1:29 Cm
- 1:32 Eb
- 1:42 Bb
- 1:43 Eb
- 1:47 Bb
- 1:51 Ab
- 1:55 Bb
- 1:58 Ab
- 2:02 Eb
- 2:05 Ab
- 2:06 Eb
- 2:08 Bb
- 2:10 Eb
- 2:15 Bb
- 2:17 Eb
- 2:22 Ab
- 2:24 Eb
- 2:26 Bb
- 2:28 Eb
- 2:37 Ab
- 2:38 Bb
- 2:39 Eb
- 2:41 Bb
- 2:42 Eb
- 2:52 Ab
- 2:53 Eb
Frequently asked questions
What key is Dance the Night Away in?
Dance the Night Away is in Eb major.
What chords does Dance the Night Away use?
The core of Dance the Night Away cycles through Eb, Bb, Ab (3 chords).
What is the tempo of Dance the Night Away?
Dance the Night Away runs at 129 BPM in 3/4 time.
What chord progression does Dance the Night Away use?
Dance the Night Away 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 Dance the Night Away?
Capo 1 and play D major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in Eb major.