Standards
Dancing In The Dark chords & key
- Key
- C major
- Form
- AB
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Dancing In The Dark” is a jazz standard by Arthur Schwartz. Most bands play it in C major, medium swing; the tune runs 32 bars in AB form. Harmonically it contains no major ii–V–I cadences and 4 minor ii–V–i, uses 14 different chords and moves between the key centres C minor and D minor. In this atlas it appears on 6 album tracks and in 2 transcribed solos.
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♭5×7
- Cmaj7×6
- Dm7×5
- Cdim7×4
- G7♭9×3
- Cm7×2
Key centres reached by ii–V
C minor and D minor
Recorded on these albums
| 1953 | The Astaire Story Fred Astaire · “Dancing in the Dark” |
| 1959 | Come Dance With Me! Frank Sinatra with Billy May and His Orchestra · “Dancing in the Dark” |
| 1961 | My Heart Sings Tony Bennett · “Dancing in the Dark” |
| 2000 | The Essential Collection Bing Crosby · “Dancing in the Dark” |
| 2002 | It’s Easy to Remember Bing Crosby · “Dancing in the Dark” |
| 2004 | Bing Crosby Bing Crosby |
Transcribed solos on Dancing In The Dark
Frequently asked questions
What key is Dancing In The Dark in?
Dancing In The Dark is usually played in C major. For B♭ instruments that is D major, for E♭ instruments A major.
Who wrote Dancing In The Dark?
Dancing In The Dark was written by Arthur Schwartz.
What is the form of Dancing In The Dark?
Dancing In The Dark has 2 sections (AB) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Dancing In The Dark played?
The usual groove is Medium swing. Transcribed solos in our data were played at 125 BPM and 122 BPM.
What are the chord changes to Dancing In The Dark?
The opening bars are Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 | Cdim7 | Cdim7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.