Soul

Chain of Fools Chords

Aretha Franklin Beginner Key of Cm 1 Chords 2 min read

Cmtap to play

Key

Cm Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

Cm

Aretha Franklin’s Grammy-winning hit rides a single Cm chord with raw vocal power. One of the greatest one-chord songs ever recorded.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↓↑

12345

Tip: Use a funk-style rhythm with palm muting. The groove comes from your right hand, not chord changes.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the Cm chord

You need Cm — a barre chord at the 3rd fret. Alternatively, use Cm open position or capo 3 with Am shape.

2

Lock into the groove

This is a funk/soul rhythm. Palm mute on beats 1 and 3, open strum on 2 and 4. Keep it tight and punchy.

3

Add vocal attitude

Aretha’s delivery makes this song. Sing with conviction and let the single chord build intensity through dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain chain chain,

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cm

For five long years I thought you were my man,

Cm

But I found out, I’m just a link in your chain.

Verse 2

Cm

You got me where you want me, I ain’t nothing but your fool,

Cm

You treated me mean, oh you treated me cruel.

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cmtap to play

Key

Cm Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Cm

Aretha Franklin’s Grammy-winning hit rides a single Cm chord with raw vocal power. One of the greatest one-chord songs ever recorded.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↓↑

12345

Tip: Use a funk-style rhythm with palm muting. The groove comes from your right hand, not chord changes.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the Cm chord

You need Cm — a barre chord at the 3rd fret. Alternatively, use Cm open position or capo 3 with Am shape.

2

Lock into the groove

This is a funk/soul rhythm. Palm mute on beats 1 and 3, open strum on 2 and 4. Keep it tight and punchy.

3

Add vocal attitude

Aretha’s delivery makes this song. Sing with conviction and let the single chord build intensity through dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain chain chain,

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cm

For five long years I thought you were my man,

Cm

But I found out, I’m just a link in your chain.

Verse 2

Cm

You got me where you want me, I ain’t nothing but your fool,

Cm

You treated me mean, oh you treated me cruel.

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cmtap to play

Key

Cm Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Cm

Aretha Franklin’s Grammy-winning hit rides a single Cm chord with raw vocal power. One of the greatest one-chord songs ever recorded.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↓↑

12345

Tip: Use a funk-style rhythm with palm muting. The groove comes from your right hand, not chord changes.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the Cm chord

You need Cm — a barre chord at the 3rd fret. Alternatively, use Cm open position or capo 3 with Am shape.

2

Lock into the groove

This is a funk/soul rhythm. Palm mute on beats 1 and 3, open strum on 2 and 4. Keep it tight and punchy.

3

Add vocal attitude

Aretha’s delivery makes this song. Sing with conviction and let the single chord build intensity through dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain chain chain,

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cm

For five long years I thought you were my man,

Cm

But I found out, I’m just a link in your chain.

Verse 2

Cm

You got me where you want me, I ain’t nothing but your fool,

Cm

You treated me mean, oh you treated me cruel.

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cmtap to play

Key

Cm Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Cm

Aretha Franklin’s Grammy-winning hit rides a single Cm chord with raw vocal power. One of the greatest one-chord songs ever recorded.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↓↑

12345

Tip: Use a funk-style rhythm with palm muting. The groove comes from your right hand, not chord changes.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the Cm chord

You need Cm — a barre chord at the 3rd fret. Alternatively, use Cm open position or capo 3 with Am shape.

2

Lock into the groove

This is a funk/soul rhythm. Palm mute on beats 1 and 3, open strum on 2 and 4. Keep it tight and punchy.

3

Add vocal attitude

Aretha’s delivery makes this song. Sing with conviction and let the single chord build intensity through dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain chain chain,

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cm

For five long years I thought you were my man,

Cm

But I found out, I’m just a link in your chain.

Verse 2

Cm

You got me where you want me, I ain’t nothing but your fool,

Cm

You treated me mean, oh you treated me cruel.

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cmtap to play

Key

Cm Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Cm

Aretha Franklin’s Grammy-winning hit rides a single Cm chord with raw vocal power. One of the greatest one-chord songs ever recorded.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↓↑

12345

Tip: Use a funk-style rhythm with palm muting. The groove comes from your right hand, not chord changes.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the Cm chord

You need Cm — a barre chord at the 3rd fret. Alternatively, use Cm open position or capo 3 with Am shape.

2

Lock into the groove

This is a funk/soul rhythm. Palm mute on beats 1 and 3, open strum on 2 and 4. Keep it tight and punchy.

3

Add vocal attitude

Aretha’s delivery makes this song. Sing with conviction and let the single chord build intensity through dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain chain chain,

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cm

For five long years I thought you were my man,

Cm

But I found out, I’m just a link in your chain.

Verse 2

Cm

You got me where you want me, I ain’t nothing but your fool,

Cm

You treated me mean, oh you treated me cruel.

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cmtap to play

Key

Cm Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Cm

Aretha Franklin’s Grammy-winning hit rides a single Cm chord with raw vocal power. One of the greatest one-chord songs ever recorded.

Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↓↑

12345

Tip: Use a funk-style rhythm with palm muting. The groove comes from your right hand, not chord changes.

How to play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the Cm chord

You need Cm — a barre chord at the 3rd fret. Alternatively, use Cm open position or capo 3 with Am shape.

2

Lock into the groove

This is a funk/soul rhythm. Palm mute on beats 1 and 3, open strum on 2 and 4. Keep it tight and punchy.

3

Add vocal attitude

Aretha’s delivery makes this song. Sing with conviction and let the single chord build intensity through dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain chain chain,

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.

Cm

For five long years I thought you were my man,

Cm

But I found out, I’m just a link in your chain.

Verse 2

Cm

You got me where you want me, I ain’t nothing but your fool,

Cm

You treated me mean, oh you treated me cruel.

Cm

Chain chain chain, chain of fools.