Heaven Beside You — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Heaven Beside You uses the chords D, A, G, Bm in the key of D. The progression follows a I–V–IV–vi pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

Rock · 1995 · Intermediate

Heaven Beside You

by Alice in Chains
Key of D 120 BPM Intermediate

Chord Sheet

Key of D · Progression: I–V–IV–vi

D
chord 1
A
chord 2
G
chord 3
Bm
chord 4
Chord Loop
D — A — G — Bm — ...
Roman Numeral Analysis
View the harmonic structure and functional analysis of this progression.
View Analysis →
Key
D
Tempo
120 BPM
Chords
4
Genre
Rock

Practice Tips for Heaven Beside You

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the D→A 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 Heaven Beside You by Alice in Chains

Heaven Beside You (1995) is a intermediate-level rock song that uses 4 chords: D, A, G, Bm in the key of D. The chord progression is I–V–IV–vi.

Chord Breakdown

  • D — major chord, bright and stable
  • A — major chord, bright and stable
  • G — major chord, bright and stable
  • Bm — minor chord, darker emotional sound

About Heaven Beside You

"Heaven Beside You" by Alice in Chains (released 1995) is one of the most recognizable rock 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 D, A, G creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Heaven Beside You as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Heaven Beside You, 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)

Let It Be
The Beatles
C – G – Am – F
Beginner
C · 75 BPM
Wonderwall
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Em – G – D – A7sus4
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Em · 87 BPM
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
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G – D – Am – C
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G · 72 BPM
Stand By Me
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A – F#m – D – E
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Perfect
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G – Em – C – D
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G · 96 BPM
Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen
C – Am – F – G – E7
Intermediate
C · 68 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Heaven Beside You by Alice in Chains — FAQ

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

What chords are in Heaven Beside You by Alice in Chains?

Heaven Beside You uses the chords D, A, G, Bm in the key of D.

The progression follows a I–V–IV–vi pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

What key is Heaven Beside You in?

Heaven Beside You by Alice in Chains is in the key of D.

The primary chords are D, A, G.

What is the tempo of Heaven Beside You?

Heaven Beside You 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 Heaven Beside You use?

Heaven Beside You 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 D chord on guitar?

D is the main chord in Heaven Beside You.

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

Can I play Heaven Beside You on piano?

Yes! Heaven Beside You sounds great on piano.

Play the chords D, A, G, Bm in root position or inversions. Left hand plays bass notes (root of each chord), right hand plays chord voicings. This is a intermediate-level arrangement.

Is Heaven Beside You beginner-friendly?

Heaven Beside You is rated Intermediate difficulty.

The chord changes and rhythm require some practice.

What is the chord progression in Heaven Beside You?

The main progression in Heaven Beside You is D – A – G – Bm (Roman numeral: I–V–IV–vi).

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

Can I transpose Heaven Beside You to a different key?

Yes! Heaven Beside You is in D.

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 Heaven Beside You?

Heaven Beside You by Alice in Chains is a Rock song from 1995.

Its 4-chord progression (D, A, G, Bm) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.