Story of My Life by One Direction is in the key of E Major, with a tempo of 121 BPM and a Camelot code of 12B. 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 E Major
The E Major scale is built from these seven notes:
EF#G#ABC#D#
Its relative key is C# Minor (same notes), and its parallel key is E Minor. If you're transposing or looking for a vocal-comfortable key, those are the natural neighbours.
Chords in E Major
The seven diatonic triads in this key — the chord palette most of the song will draw from:
| Degree | Chord | Quality |
|---|
| I | E | Major |
| ii | F#m | Minor |
| iii | G#m | Minor |
| IV | A | Major |
| V | B | Major |
| vi | C#m | Minor |
| vii° | D#dim | Diminished |
Indian Classical: the Bhairav thaat
In Hindustani classical terms, E Major maps to the Bhairav thaat (Western mode: Double Harmonic Major (Byzantine)). Double Harmonic Major scale — the same exotic scale used in Middle Eastern and flamenco music. Two augmented 2nd intervals give it a dramatic, ancient quality. Also called Byzantine or Arabic scale. Traditional listening time: Morning (dawn, 6–9 am).
If you want to sing or practise in this key, set your tonic (Sa) to E. Ragas built on this thaat:
- Bhairav — Full Double Harmonic scale — augmented 2nds on Re and Dha. Austere, devotional, meditative.
- Ahir Bhairav — Double Harmonic with ♮6 in ascent — gentler character. Soothing, contemplative (Morning).
- Ramkali — Double Harmonic with ♯4 (adds Lydian touch to Bhairav). Serious, traditional.
- Kalingada — Double Harmonic, omits 6th — sparse and austere. Grave, solitary.
Set Tanpura to E →Practise in this key →Find another song's key →
Harmonic mixing (for DJs)
Story of My Life sits at Camelot 12B. For a smooth harmonic transition, mix it with tracks in 11B, 12A, 1B — adjacent keys on the Camelot wheel that share most of their notes.