Mr Brightside by The Killers is in the key of D# Major, with a tempo of 148 BPM and a Camelot code of 5B. Below are the full scale notes, the diatonic chords you can play over it, the Indian classical raga that maps to this key, and other songs in the same key for harmonic mixing or practice.
Scale & Notes of D# Major
The D# Major scale is built from these seven notes:
D#FGG#A#CD
Its relative key is C Minor (same notes), and its parallel key is D# Minor. If you're transposing or looking for a vocal-comfortable key, those are the natural neighbours.
Chords in D# Major
The seven diatonic triads in this key — the chord palette most of the song will draw from:
| Degree | Chord | Quality |
|---|
| I | D# | Major |
| ii | Fm | Minor |
| iii | Gm | Minor |
| IV | G# | Major |
| V | A# | Major |
| vi | Cm | Minor |
| vii° | Ddim | Diminished |
Indian Classical: the Asavari thaat
In Hindustani classical terms, D# Major maps to the Asavari thaat (Western mode: Aeolian (Natural Minor)). Natural minor scale — identical to the Western Aeolian mode. Melancholic, serious character. Traditional listening time: Morning.
If you want to sing or practise in this key, set your tonic (Sa) to D#. Ragas built on this thaat:
- Asavari — Natural minor — ♭3 ♭6 ♭7, complete 7-note scale. Serious, pensive (Morning).
- Jaunpuri — Natural minor with omitted notes in ascent. Melancholic, restrained (Morning).
- Desi — Natural minor with vakra (zigzag) movement. Folk-like, earthy.
- Komal Rishabh Asavari — Natural minor ♭2 — adds Phrygian flavour to minor. Deep, austere.
- Komal Re Asavari — Natural minor ♭2 variant. Solemn, morning.
Set Tanpura to D# →Practise in this key →Find another song's key →
Harmonic mixing (for DJs)
Mr Brightside sits at Camelot 5B. For a smooth harmonic transition, mix it with tracks in 4B, 5A, 6B — adjacent keys on the Camelot wheel that share most of their notes.