Walk on the Wild Side by Lou Reed is played in the key of C at a beginner difficulty level, originally released in the 1970s. It uses 2 chords — C F — arranged in the I-IV progression.
About the I-IV progression
The I-IV two-chord vamp alternates between tonic and subdominant. It's a favorite of reggae, folk, and any genre where the harmony steps back to let the groove drive.
Playing in the key of C
C major is the theoretical home key of Western music: all natural notes, no sharps or flats. On guitar, C, Am, Em, F, and G are the working chords. The one wrinkle is F, which as the IV chord requires either a barre or a partial shape — the first "difficult" chord most beginners meet.
Related songs
More songs in the key of C
More songs using the I-IV progression
Learn to play Walk on the Wild Side by Lou Reed on guitar. It sits in the key of C and uses the I-IV progression with the chords C F.