Rock

A Day in the Life Chords

The Beatles Intermediate Key of G 5 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Capo

None

Chords

G · Bm · Em · C · D

A Day in the Life Chords – Guitar

The Beatles’ epic psychedelic masterpiece from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Arpeggiated Feel (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↑

12345678

Tip: This song has distinct sections; focus on the slow, dreamlike tempo and the dramatic build-up before the orchestral crescendos.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

I read the news today, oh boy

Am D7 G

About a lucky man who made the grade

Em Am

And though the news was rather sad

C G

Well, I just had to laugh

B7 Em

I saw the photograph

Verse 2

G Em

He blew his mind out in a car

Am D7 G

He didn’t notice that the lights had changed

Em Am

A crowd of people stood and stared

C G

They’d seen his face before

B7 Em

Nobody was really sure if he was from the House of Lords

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 3

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Bridge

F C

Woke up, fell out of bed

G

Dragged a comb across my head

C

Found my way downstairs and drank a cup

G

And looking up, I noticed I was late

F C

Found my coat and grabbed my hat

G

Made the bus in seconds flat

C

Found my way upstairs and had a smoke

G

And somebody spoke and I went into a dream

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 4

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Outro

E E7AAmCCmG

Ah ah ah

Practice tip: Master the slow, deliberate chord changes in the verses first, then work on the faster, more rhythmic strumming pattern for the bridge. The final E chord requires a full, ringing strum to emulate the famous piano chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Day in the Life"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Bm, Em, C and D.

Is "A Day in the Life" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Day in the Life" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Day in the Life"?

It was written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and released in 1967.

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · Bm · Em · C · D

A Day in the Life Chords – Ukulele

The Beatles’ epic psychedelic masterpiece from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Arpeggiated Feel (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↑

12345678

Tip: This song has distinct sections; focus on the slow, dreamlike tempo and the dramatic build-up before the orchestral crescendos.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

I read the news today, oh boy

Am D7 G

About a lucky man who made the grade

Em Am

And though the news was rather sad

C G

Well, I just had to laugh

B7 Em

I saw the photograph

Verse 2

G Em

He blew his mind out in a car

Am D7 G

He didn’t notice that the lights had changed

Em Am

A crowd of people stood and stared

C G

They’d seen his face before

B7 Em

Nobody was really sure if he was from the House of Lords

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 3

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Bridge

F C

Woke up, fell out of bed

G

Dragged a comb across my head

C

Found my way downstairs and drank a cup

G

And looking up, I noticed I was late

F C

Found my coat and grabbed my hat

G

Made the bus in seconds flat

C

Found my way upstairs and had a smoke

G

And somebody spoke and I went into a dream

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 4

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Outro

E E7AAmCCmG

Ah ah ah

Practice tip: Master the slow, deliberate chord changes in the verses first, then work on the faster, more rhythmic strumming pattern for the bridge. The final E chord requires a full, ringing strum to emulate the famous piano chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Day in the Life"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Bm, Em, C and D.

Is "A Day in the Life" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Day in the Life" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Day in the Life"?

It was written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and released in 1967.

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · Bm · Em · C · D

A Day in the Life Chords – Piano

The Beatles’ epic psychedelic masterpiece from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Arpeggiated Feel (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↑

12345678

Tip: This song has distinct sections; focus on the slow, dreamlike tempo and the dramatic build-up before the orchestral crescendos.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

I read the news today, oh boy

Am D7 G

About a lucky man who made the grade

Em Am

And though the news was rather sad

C G

Well, I just had to laugh

B7 Em

I saw the photograph

Verse 2

G Em

He blew his mind out in a car

Am D7 G

He didn’t notice that the lights had changed

Em Am

A crowd of people stood and stared

C G

They’d seen his face before

B7 Em

Nobody was really sure if he was from the House of Lords

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 3

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Bridge

F C

Woke up, fell out of bed

G

Dragged a comb across my head

C

Found my way downstairs and drank a cup

G

And looking up, I noticed I was late

F C

Found my coat and grabbed my hat

G

Made the bus in seconds flat

C

Found my way upstairs and had a smoke

G

And somebody spoke and I went into a dream

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 4

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Outro

E E7AAmCCmG

Ah ah ah

Practice tip: Master the slow, deliberate chord changes in the verses first, then work on the faster, more rhythmic strumming pattern for the bridge. The final E chord requires a full, ringing strum to emulate the famous piano chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Day in the Life"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Bm, Em, C and D.

Is "A Day in the Life" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Day in the Life" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Day in the Life"?

It was written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and released in 1967.

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · Bm · Em · C · D

A Day in the Life Chords – Banjo

The Beatles’ epic psychedelic masterpiece from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Arpeggiated Feel (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↑

12345678

Tip: This song has distinct sections; focus on the slow, dreamlike tempo and the dramatic build-up before the orchestral crescendos.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

I read the news today, oh boy

Am D7 G

About a lucky man who made the grade

Em Am

And though the news was rather sad

C G

Well, I just had to laugh

B7 Em

I saw the photograph

Verse 2

G Em

He blew his mind out in a car

Am D7 G

He didn’t notice that the lights had changed

Em Am

A crowd of people stood and stared

C G

They’d seen his face before

B7 Em

Nobody was really sure if he was from the House of Lords

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 3

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Bridge

F C

Woke up, fell out of bed

G

Dragged a comb across my head

C

Found my way downstairs and drank a cup

G

And looking up, I noticed I was late

F C

Found my coat and grabbed my hat

G

Made the bus in seconds flat

C

Found my way upstairs and had a smoke

G

And somebody spoke and I went into a dream

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 4

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Outro

E E7AAmCCmG

Ah ah ah

Practice tip: Master the slow, deliberate chord changes in the verses first, then work on the faster, more rhythmic strumming pattern for the bridge. The final E chord requires a full, ringing strum to emulate the famous piano chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Day in the Life"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Bm, Em, C and D.

Is "A Day in the Life" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Day in the Life" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Day in the Life"?

It was written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and released in 1967.

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · Bm · Em · C · D

A Day in the Life Chords – Mandolin

The Beatles’ epic psychedelic masterpiece from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Arpeggiated Feel (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↑

12345678

Tip: This song has distinct sections; focus on the slow, dreamlike tempo and the dramatic build-up before the orchestral crescendos.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

I read the news today, oh boy

Am D7 G

About a lucky man who made the grade

Em Am

And though the news was rather sad

C G

Well, I just had to laugh

B7 Em

I saw the photograph

Verse 2

G Em

He blew his mind out in a car

Am D7 G

He didn’t notice that the lights had changed

Em Am

A crowd of people stood and stared

C G

They’d seen his face before

B7 Em

Nobody was really sure if he was from the House of Lords

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 3

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Bridge

F C

Woke up, fell out of bed

G

Dragged a comb across my head

C

Found my way downstairs and drank a cup

G

And looking up, I noticed I was late

F C

Found my coat and grabbed my hat

G

Made the bus in seconds flat

C

Found my way upstairs and had a smoke

G

And somebody spoke and I went into a dream

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 4

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Outro

E E7AAmCCmG

Ah ah ah

Practice tip: Master the slow, deliberate chord changes in the verses first, then work on the faster, more rhythmic strumming pattern for the bridge. The final E chord requires a full, ringing strum to emulate the famous piano chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Day in the Life"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Bm, Em, C and D.

Is "A Day in the Life" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Day in the Life" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Day in the Life"?

It was written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and released in 1967.

Gtap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Intermediate

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · Bm · Em · C · D

A Day in the Life Chords – Harmonica

The Beatles’ epic psychedelic masterpiece from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Arpeggiated Feel (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↑

12345678

Tip: This song has distinct sections; focus on the slow, dreamlike tempo and the dramatic build-up before the orchestral crescendos.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

I read the news today, oh boy

Am D7 G

About a lucky man who made the grade

Em Am

And though the news was rather sad

C G

Well, I just had to laugh

B7 Em

I saw the photograph

Verse 2

G Em

He blew his mind out in a car

Am D7 G

He didn’t notice that the lights had changed

Em Am

A crowd of people stood and stared

C G

They’d seen his face before

B7 Em

Nobody was really sure if he was from the House of Lords

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 3

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Bridge

F C

Woke up, fell out of bed

G

Dragged a comb across my head

C

Found my way downstairs and drank a cup

G

And looking up, I noticed I was late

F C

Found my coat and grabbed my hat

G

Made the bus in seconds flat

C

Found my way upstairs and had a smoke

G

And somebody spoke and I went into a dream

Chorus

G C G

I saw a film today, oh boy

Am D7

The English army had just won the war

G C

A crowd of people turned away

G

But I just had to look

Am D7

Having read the book

Verse 4

G Em AmD7G

I’d love to turn you on

Outro

E E7AAmCCmG

Ah ah ah

Practice tip: Master the slow, deliberate chord changes in the verses first, then work on the faster, more rhythmic strumming pattern for the bridge. The final E chord requires a full, ringing strum to emulate the famous piano chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "A Day in the Life"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: G, Bm, Em, C and D.

Is "A Day in the Life" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "A Day in the Life" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "A Day in the Life"?

It was written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and released in 1967.