Mary Jane’s Last Dance by Tom Petty is played in the key of A at a beginner difficulty level, originally released in the 1990s. It uses 3 chords — Am G D — arranged in the i-bVII-IV progression.
About the i-bVII-IV progression
The i-bVII-IV is a modal minor-key progression rooted in the natural minor scale. The bVII chord gives it a folk-rock modal quality that sits outside major-key expectations. You'll hear this shape in modern rock, indie folk, and the moodier Dylan/Stones catalogue.
Playing in the key of A
A major is rock and blues territory. A, D, and E are open shapes; F#m requires a barre. The E7 chord sits naturally under the fingers in this key, which is why it feels made for country and blues players.
Related songs
More songs in the key of A
More songs using the i-bVII-IV progression
Learn to play Mary Jane’s Last Dance by Tom Petty on guitar. It sits in the key of A and uses the i-bVII-IV progression with the chords Am G D.