Standards
Billy Boy chords & key
- Key
- C major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 56
- Groove
- Medium-up swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Billy Boy” is a jazz standard. Most bands play it in C major, medium-up swing; the tune runs 56 bars in AABA form. Harmonically it contains 8 major ii–V–I cadences and 11 minor ii–V–i, uses 16 different chords and moves between the key centres D minor, C major, F major and A minor. In this atlas it appears on 1 album track.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — C major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- Dm7×18
- G7×18
- A7×10
- Cmaj7×9
- Em7×7
- F7×3
Key centres reached by ii–V
D minor, C major, F major and A minor
Characteristics
- AABA song form
Recorded on these albums
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| When You Wish Upon A Star 43% | C major |
| Elora 39% | B♭ major |
| Oh, Lady Be Good 39% | G major |
| Ceora 38% | A♭ major |
| I've Never Been In Love Before 38% | B♭ major |
| In Love In Vain 38% | B♭ major |
| Don't Worry 'Bout Me 36% | A♭ major |
| If There Is Someone Lovelier 36% | C major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Billy Boy in?
Billy Boy is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
What is the form of Billy Boy?
Billy Boy has 4 sections (AABA) with 56 bars in total.
How fast is Billy Boy played?
The usual groove is Medium-up swing.
What are the chord changes to Billy Boy?
The opening bars are Cmaj7 A7 | Dm7 G7 | Em7 A7 | Dm7 G7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.