Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve

Key: A · 172 BPM · 4/4

Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve is written in A 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 — E-A — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 172 BPM, it moves at a fast, high-energy pace.

The progression

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

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
No capoAE-A
Capo 2GD-G
Capo 5EB-E
Capo 7DA-D

Chord chart

  • 0:00 E
  • 0:04 A
  • 0:05 E
  • 0:09 A
  • 0:11 E
  • 0:13 Bm7
  • 0:14 D
  • 0:15 A
  • 0:23 E
  • 0:26 A
  • 0:28 E
  • 0:32 A
  • 0:39 E
  • 0:40 Bm7
  • 0:42 D
  • 0:44 E7
  • 0:46 Bm7
  • 0:47 A
  • 0:50 E
  • 0:52 Bm
  • 0:53 A
  • 0:56 E
  • 0:57 Bm
  • 0:58 A
  • 1:01 E7
  • 1:03 Bm
  • 1:04 A
  • 1:07 E
  • 1:10 A
  • 1:13 E
  • 1:15 A
  • 1:18 E
  • 1:21 A
  • 1:24 E
  • 1:27 A
  • 1:29 E
  • 1:32 A
  • 1:35 E
  • 1:38 A
  • 1:41 E
  • 1:43 A
  • 1:46 E
  • 1:49 A
  • 1:52 E7
  • 1:53 Bm
  • 1:55 A
  • 1:57 E
  • 1:59 Bm
  • 2:00 A
  • 2:03 E
  • 2:05 Bm
  • 2:06 A
  • 2:09 E
  • 2:10 Bm7
  • 2:11 A
  • 2:14 E
  • 2:17 A
  • 2:20 E
  • 2:22 Bm7
  • 2:23 A
  • 2:25 E
  • 2:28 A
  • 2:31 E
  • 2:34 A
  • 2:37 E
  • 2:39 A
  • 2:42 E
  • 2:45 A
  • 2:48 E
  • 2:51 A
  • 2:54 E
  • 2:56 A
  • 2:59 E
  • 3:02 A
  • 3:05 E
  • 3:08 A
  • 3:10 E7
  • 3:13 A
  • 3:16 E
  • 3:17 Bm7
  • 3:19 A
  • 3:22 E
  • 3:24 A
  • 3:27 E
  • 3:29 Bm7
  • 3:30 A
  • 3:33 E
  • 3:36 A
  • 3:38 E
  • 3:41 A
  • 3:44 E
  • 3:47 A
  • 3:50 E
  • 3:52 A
  • 3:55 E
  • 3:58 A
  • 4:01 E
  • 4:04 A
  • 4:06 E7
  • 4:09 A
  • 4:12 E
  • 4:15 A
  • 4:18 E
  • 4:20 A
  • 4:23 E
  • 4:26 A
  • 4:29 E
  • 4:30 Bm
  • 4:32 A
  • 4:34 E7
  • 4:36 Bm
  • 4:37 A
  • 4:40 E
  • 4:42 Bm
  • 4:43 A
  • 4:46 E7
  • 4:47 Bm
  • 4:48 A
  • 4:51 E
  • 4:53 Bm7
  • 4:54 A
  • 4:57 E
  • 4:58 Bm
  • 5:00 A
  • 5:03 E7
  • 5:04 Bm
  • 5:05 A
  • 5:08 E
  • 5:10 Bm
  • 5:11 A
  • 5:14 E7
  • 5:15 Bm
  • 5:17 A
  • 5:19 E7
  • 5:21 Bm
  • 5:22 A
  • 5:25 E
  • 5:26 Bm7
  • 5:28 A
  • 5:31 E
  • 5:32 Bm
  • 5:33 A
  • 5:36 E
  • 5:38 Bm
  • 5:39 Asus4
  • 5:40 A
  • 5:42 E7
  • 5:43 Bm
  • 5:45 A
  • 5:47 E7
  • 5:50 A

Frequently asked questions

What key is Bittersweet Symphony in?

Bittersweet Symphony is in A major.

What chords does Bittersweet Symphony use?

The core of Bittersweet Symphony cycles through E, A (2 chords).

What is the tempo of Bittersweet Symphony?

Bittersweet Symphony runs at 172 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Bittersweet Symphony use?

Bittersweet Symphony doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: E-A.

What capo should I use for Bittersweet Symphony?

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

Related songs

Other songs in A major