Animals — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Animals uses the chords Gm, Eb, Bb, F in the key of Gm. The progression follows a i–VI–III–VII pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

Pop · 2014 · Beginner

Animals

by Maroon 5
Key of Gm 120 BPM Beginner

Chord Sheet

Key of Gm · Progression: i–VI–III–VII

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

Practice Tips for Animals

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Gm→Eb 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 Animals by Maroon 5

Animals (2014) is a beginner-level pop song that uses 4 chords: Gm, Eb, Bb, F in the key of Gm. The chord progression is i–VI–III–VII.

Chord Breakdown

  • Gm — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • Eb — major chord, bright and stable
  • Bb — major chord, bright and stable
  • F — major chord, bright and stable

About Animals

"Animals" by Maroon 5 (released 2014) 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 Gm, Eb, Bb creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Animals as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Animals, 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
Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen
C – Am – F – G – E7
Intermediate
C · 68 BPM
No Woman No Cry
Bob Marley
C – G – Am – F
Beginner
C · 90 BPM
Viva La Vida
Coldplay
Ab – Eb – Fm – Db
Intermediate
Ab · 138 BPM
Hey Jude
The Beatles
F – C – Bb
Beginner
F · 73 BPM
House of the Rising Sun
The Animals
Am – C – D – F – E
Intermediate
Am · 105 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Animals by Maroon 5 — FAQ

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

What chords are in Animals by Maroon 5?

Animals uses the chords Gm, Eb, Bb, F in the key of Gm.

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

What key is Animals in?

Animals by Maroon 5 is in the key of Gm.

The primary chords are Gm, Eb, Bb.

What is the tempo of Animals?

Animals 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 Animals use?

Animals 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 Gm chord on guitar?

Gm is the main chord in Animals.

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

Can I play Animals on piano?

Yes! Animals sounds great on piano.

Play the chords Gm, Eb, Bb, F 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 Animals beginner-friendly?

Yes! Animals is rated Beginner difficulty.

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

What is the chord progression in Animals?

The main progression in Animals is Gm – Eb – Bb – F (Roman numeral: i–VI–III–VII).

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

Can I transpose Animals to a different key?

Yes! Animals is in Gm.

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 Animals?

Animals by Maroon 5 is a Pop song from 2014.

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