In the Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett
Key: E · 112 BPM · 3/4
In the Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett is written in E 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 112 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace, in waltz time.
The progression
This song cycles a 2-chord progression in E major: E-A. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| No capo | E | E-A |
| Capo 2 | D | D-G |
| Capo 4 | C | C-F |
| Capo 7 | A | A-D |
Chord chart
- 0:01 D
- 0:03 B
- 0:05 A
- 0:07 G
- 0:09 E
- 0:10 A
- 0:11 E
- 0:12 A
- 0:14 E
- 0:15 A
- 0:16 E
- 0:17 A
- 0:18 E
- 0:19 A
- 0:20 E
- 0:21 A
- 0:22 E
- 0:23 A
- 0:26 E
- 0:28 A
- 0:29 E
- 0:30 A
- 0:31 B
- 0:33 A
- 0:35 B
- 0:37 A
- 0:39 E
- 0:40 A
- 0:41 E
- 0:43 A
- 0:44 E
- 0:45 A
- 0:46 D
- 0:48 B
- 0:50 E
- 0:51 A
- 0:52 E
- 0:53 A
- 0:54 E
- 0:56 A
- 0:57 E
- 0:58 A
- 0:59 E
- 1:00 A
- 1:01 E
- 1:02 A
- 1:03 E
- 1:04 A
- 1:05 E
- 1:06 A
- 1:07 B
- 1:09 A
- 1:12 B
- 1:14 A
- 1:16 E
- 1:17 A
- 1:18 E
- 1:19 A
- 1:20 E
- 1:21 A
- 1:22 D
- 1:24 B
- 1:27 E
- 1:28 A
- 1:29 E
- 1:30 A
- 1:31 E
- 1:33 B
- 1:35 E
- 1:36 A
- 1:37 E
- 1:38 A
- 1:39 E
- 1:40 A
- 1:41 B
- 1:43 E
- 1:44 A
- 1:45 E
- 1:47 A
- 1:48 E
- 1:49 A
- 1:50 E
- 1:51 A
- 1:52 E
- 1:53 A
- 1:54 E
- 1:55 A
- 1:56 E
- 1:57 A
- 1:58 E
- 2:00 A
- 2:01 E
- 2:02 A
- 2:03 E
- 2:04 A
- 2:05 E
- 2:06 A
- 2:07 E
- 2:08 A
- 2:09 E
- 2:10 A
- 2:11 E
- 2:12 A
- 2:14 E
- 2:15 A
- 2:16 E
- 2:17 A
- 2:18 E
- 2:19 A
- 2:20 E
- 2:21 A
- 2:22 E
- 2:23 A
- 2:24 E
- 2:25 A
- 2:27 E
- 2:28 A
- 2:29 E
- 2:30 A
- 2:31 E
- 2:32 A
- 2:33 E
- 2:34 A
- 2:35 E
Frequently asked questions
What key is In the Midnight Hour in?
In the Midnight Hour is in E major.
What chords does In the Midnight Hour use?
The core of In the Midnight Hour cycles through E, A (2 chords).
What is the tempo of In the Midnight Hour?
In the Midnight Hour runs at 112 BPM in 3/4 time.
What chord progression does In the Midnight Hour use?
In the Midnight Hour doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 2-chord loop: E-A.
What capo should I use for In the Midnight Hour?
No capo needed — E major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.