Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes

Key: Em · 123 BPM · 4/4

Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes sits in Em, giving it a darker, more unresolved color than a major-key song would have. 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 — Em-C — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 123 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace.

The progression

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

Play it in other keys

Capo	Shape key	Chords to play
No capo	Em	Em-C
Capo 2	Dm	Dm-Bb
Capo 7	Am	Am-F

Chord chart

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

Frequently asked questions

What key is Seven Nation Army in?

Seven Nation Army is in Em.

What chords does Seven Nation Army use?

The core of Seven Nation Army cycles through Em, C (2 chords).

What is the tempo of Seven Nation Army?

Seven Nation Army runs at 123 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Seven Nation Army use?

Seven Nation Army doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: Em-C.

What capo should I use for Seven Nation Army?

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