Folk, Pop

If You Could Read My Mind Chords

Gordon Lightfoot Beginner Key of G 5 Chords 3 min read

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic folk ballad about love, loss, and the stories we tell ourselves. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the reflective mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

You know that ghost is me

C D

And I will never be set free

G

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Verse 2

G

I’d walk away like a movie star

C G

Who gets burned in a three way script

D

Enter number two

C G

A movie queen to play the scene

C G

Of bringing all the good things out in me

D C

But for now love, let’s be real

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D

And I just can’t get it back

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Bridge

G C

You know that ghost is me

G D

And I will never be set free

G C

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Outro

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

But stories always end

C D

And if you read between the lines

G

You’ll know that I’m just trying to understand

C D

The feelings that you lack

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D G

And I just can’t get it back

Practice tip: Focus on the G to C and C to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Play slowly and let each chord resonate before moving to the next.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic folk ballad about love, loss, and the stories we tell ourselves. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the reflective mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

You know that ghost is me

C D

And I will never be set free

G

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Verse 2

G

I’d walk away like a movie star

C G

Who gets burned in a three way script

D

Enter number two

C G

A movie queen to play the scene

C G

Of bringing all the good things out in me

D C

But for now love, let’s be real

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D

And I just can’t get it back

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Bridge

G C

You know that ghost is me

G D

And I will never be set free

G C

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Outro

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

But stories always end

C D

And if you read between the lines

G

You’ll know that I’m just trying to understand

C D

The feelings that you lack

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D G

And I just can’t get it back

Practice tip: Focus on the G to C and C to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Play slowly and let each chord resonate before moving to the next.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic folk ballad about love, loss, and the stories we tell ourselves. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the reflective mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

You know that ghost is me

C D

And I will never be set free

G

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Verse 2

G

I’d walk away like a movie star

C G

Who gets burned in a three way script

D

Enter number two

C G

A movie queen to play the scene

C G

Of bringing all the good things out in me

D C

But for now love, let’s be real

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D

And I just can’t get it back

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Bridge

G C

You know that ghost is me

G D

And I will never be set free

G C

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Outro

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

But stories always end

C D

And if you read between the lines

G

You’ll know that I’m just trying to understand

C D

The feelings that you lack

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D G

And I just can’t get it back

Practice tip: Focus on the G to C and C to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Play slowly and let each chord resonate before moving to the next.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic folk ballad about love, loss, and the stories we tell ourselves. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the reflective mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

You know that ghost is me

C D

And I will never be set free

G

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Verse 2

G

I’d walk away like a movie star

C G

Who gets burned in a three way script

D

Enter number two

C G

A movie queen to play the scene

C G

Of bringing all the good things out in me

D C

But for now love, let’s be real

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D

And I just can’t get it back

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Bridge

G C

You know that ghost is me

G D

And I will never be set free

G C

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Outro

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

But stories always end

C D

And if you read between the lines

G

You’ll know that I’m just trying to understand

C D

The feelings that you lack

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D G

And I just can’t get it back

Practice tip: Focus on the G to C and C to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Play slowly and let each chord resonate before moving to the next.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic folk ballad about love, loss, and the stories we tell ourselves. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the reflective mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

You know that ghost is me

C D

And I will never be set free

G

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Verse 2

G

I’d walk away like a movie star

C G

Who gets burned in a three way script

D

Enter number two

C G

A movie queen to play the scene

C G

Of bringing all the good things out in me

D C

But for now love, let’s be real

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D

And I just can’t get it back

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Bridge

G C

You know that ghost is me

G D

And I will never be set free

G C

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Outro

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

But stories always end

C D

And if you read between the lines

G

You’ll know that I’m just trying to understand

C D

The feelings that you lack

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D G

And I just can’t get it back

Practice tip: Focus on the G to C and C to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Play slowly and let each chord resonate before moving to the next.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic folk ballad about love, loss, and the stories we tell ourselves. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the reflective mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

You know that ghost is me

C D

And I will never be set free

G

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Verse 2

G

I’d walk away like a movie star

C G

Who gets burned in a three way script

D

Enter number two

C G

A movie queen to play the scene

C G

Of bringing all the good things out in me

D C

But for now love, let’s be real

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D

And I just can’t get it back

Chorus

G

If I could read your mind love

C G

What a tale your thoughts could tell

D

Just like a paperback novel

C G

The kind the drugstores sell

C G

When you reach the part where the heartaches come

D C

The hero would be me

G

But heroes often fail

C D

And you won’t read that book a-gain

G

Because the ending’s just too hard to take

Bridge

G C

You know that ghost is me

G D

And I will never be set free

G C

As long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see

Outro

G

If you could read my mind love

C G

What a tale my thoughts could tell

D

Just like an old time movie

C G

‘Bout a ghost from a wishing well

C G

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

D C

With chains upon my feet

G

But stories always end

C D

And if you read between the lines

G

You’ll know that I’m just trying to understand

C D

The feelings that you lack

G

I never thought I could feel this way

C D

And I’ve got to say that I just don’t get it

G

I don’t know where we went wrong

C

But the feeling’s gone

D G

And I just can’t get it back

Practice tip: Focus on the G to C and C to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Play slowly and let each chord resonate before moving to the next.