When the Party’s Over — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

When the Party’s Over uses the chords Cm, Ab, Eb, Fm in the key of Cm. The progression follows a i–VI–III–iv pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

Pop · 2018 · Beginner

When the Party’s Over

by Billie Eilish
Key of Cm 120 BPM Beginner

Chord Sheet

Key of Cm · Progression: i–VI–III–iv

Cm
chord 1
Ab
chord 2
Eb
chord 3
Fm
chord 4
Chord Loop
Cm — Ab — Eb — Fm — ...
Roman Numeral Analysis
View the harmonic structure and functional analysis of this progression.
View Analysis →
Key
Cm
Tempo
120 BPM
Chords
4
Genre
Pop

Practice Tips for When the Party’s Over

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Cm→Ab transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 120 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play When the Party’s Over by Billie Eilish

When the Party’s Over (2018) is a beginner-level pop song that uses 4 chords: Cm, Ab, Eb, Fm in the key of Cm. The chord progression is i–VI–III–iv.

Chord Breakdown

  • Cm — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • Ab — major chord, bright and stable
  • Eb — major chord, bright and stable
  • Fm — minor chord, darker emotional sound

About When the Party’s Over

"When the Party’s Over" by Billie Eilish (released 2018) is one of the most recognizable pop songs ever recorded. Its 4-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of Cm, Ab, Eb creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning When the Party’s Over as a Beginner

If you're learning to play When the Party’s Over, start by getting comfortable with each chord individually before trying to switch between them. The goal is to make each chord change automatic — your fingers should know where to go without you having to think about it. Practice the chord loop slowly with a metronome, and you'll be playing the full song within a few weeks.

Similar Songs (Same Key or Chords)

Creep
Radiohead
G – B – C – Cm
Beginner
G · 92 BPM
Viva La Vida
Coldplay
Ab – Eb – Fm – Db
Intermediate
Ab · 138 BPM
Bohemian Rhapsody
Queen
Bb – Gm – Cm – F – Eb
Advanced
Bb · 72 BPM
A Thousand Years
Christina Perri
Bb – F – Gm – Eb
Beginner
Bb · 45 BPM
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Nirvana
F – Bb – Ab – Db
Beginner
F · 116 BPM
Clocks
Coldplay
Eb – Bb – Fm
Intermediate
Eb · 131 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

When the Party’s Over by Billie Eilish — FAQ

Everything you need to know about our browser-based Web Audio engine, instruments, and music theory workspace.

What chords are in When the Party’s Over by Billie Eilish?

When the Party’s Over uses the chords Cm, Ab, Eb, Fm in the key of Cm.

The progression follows a i–VI–III–iv pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

What key is When the Party’s Over in?

When the Party’s Over by Billie Eilish is in the key of Cm.

The primary chords are Cm, Ab, Eb.

What is the tempo of When the Party’s Over?

When the Party’s Over is played at approximately 120 BPM.

This is a faster tempo — practice slowly first before bringing it to full speed. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 120 BPM.

What strumming pattern does When the Party’s Over use?

When the Party’s Over is typically in 4/4 time.

A common strumming pattern is down-down-up-up-down-up (DDUUDU) or simplified all-down for beginners. Focus on getting chord changes smooth before adding strumming complexity.

How do I play Cm chord on guitar?

Cm is the main chord in When the Party’s Over.

See our chord library for the Cm chord diagram with exact fingering.

Can I play When the Party’s Over on piano?

Yes! When the Party’s Over sounds great on piano.

Play the chords Cm, Ab, Eb, Fm in root position or inversions. Left hand plays bass notes (root of each chord), right hand plays chord voicings. This is a beginner-level arrangement.

Is When the Party’s Over beginner-friendly?

Yes! When the Party’s Over is rated Beginner difficulty.

It uses 4 main chords (Cm, Ab, Eb), all easy open or basic chords. One of the best songs for new players to learn.

What is the chord progression in When the Party’s Over?

The main progression in When the Party’s Over is Cm – Ab – Eb – Fm (Roman numeral: i–VI–III–iv).

This 4-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.

Can I transpose When the Party’s Over to a different key?

Yes! When the Party’s Over is in Cm.

To make it easier, try transposing to G or D using a capo. A capo changes your effective key while keeping the same chord shapes. Use our Transpose Tool to convert all chord names automatically.

What genre is When the Party’s Over?

When the Party’s Over by Billie Eilish is a Pop song from 2018.

Its 4-chord progression (Cm, Ab, Eb, Fm) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.