Cruel Summer Chords

Amtap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
Am · G · F · C

Cruel Summer Chords – Guitar

Taylor Swift’s synth-pop masterpiece that became a massive hit years after its release.

Driving Pop (4/4 Time)
123456
Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
Am G
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night
F C
You know that I caught it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
Am G
Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price
F C
You know that I bought it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
 

Chorus

 
Am G
It’s a cruel summer
F
It’s cool, that’s what I tell ’em
C Am
No rules in breakable heaven
 

Bridge

 
Am G
I’m drunk in the back of the car and I
F
Cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh)
C
Said, “I’m fine,” but it wasn’t true
Am G FC
I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you
 


How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide


1
Learn the chords
This song uses 4 chords in the key of A: Am G F C. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: The F barre chord is the tricky one — use Fmaj7 (skip the low E and A strings) while you build finger strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cruel Summer"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Cruel Summer" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Cruel Summer" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Cruel Summer"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, St. Vincent, and released in 2019.

Amtap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
Am · G · F · C

Cruel Summer Chords – Ukulele

Taylor Swift’s synth-pop masterpiece that became a massive hit years after its release.

Driving Pop (4/4 Time)
123456
Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
Am G
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night
F C
You know that I caught it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
Am G
Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price
F C
You know that I bought it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
 

Chorus

 
Am G
It’s a cruel summer
F
It’s cool, that’s what I tell ’em
C Am
No rules in breakable heaven
 

Bridge

 
Am G
I’m drunk in the back of the car and I
F
Cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh)
C
Said, “I’m fine,” but it wasn’t true
Am G FC
I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you
 


How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide


1
Learn the chords
This song uses 4 chords in the key of A: Am G F C. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: The F barre chord is the tricky one — use Fmaj7 (skip the low E and A strings) while you build finger strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cruel Summer"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Cruel Summer" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Cruel Summer" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Cruel Summer"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, St. Vincent, and released in 2019.

Amtap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
Am · G · F · C

Cruel Summer Chords – Piano

Taylor Swift’s synth-pop masterpiece that became a massive hit years after its release.

Driving Pop (4/4 Time)
123456
Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
Am G
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night
F C
You know that I caught it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
Am G
Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price
F C
You know that I bought it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
 

Chorus

 
Am G
It’s a cruel summer
F
It’s cool, that’s what I tell ’em
C Am
No rules in breakable heaven
 

Bridge

 
Am G
I’m drunk in the back of the car and I
F
Cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh)
C
Said, “I’m fine,” but it wasn’t true
Am G FC
I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you
 


How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide


1
Learn the chords
This song uses 4 chords in the key of A: Am G F C. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: The F barre chord is the tricky one — use Fmaj7 (skip the low E and A strings) while you build finger strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cruel Summer"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Cruel Summer" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Cruel Summer" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Cruel Summer"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, St. Vincent, and released in 2019.

Amtap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
Am · G · F · C

Cruel Summer Chords – Banjo

Taylor Swift’s synth-pop masterpiece that became a massive hit years after its release.

Driving Pop (4/4 Time)
123456
Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
Am G
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night
F C
You know that I caught it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
Am G
Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price
F C
You know that I bought it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
 

Chorus

 
Am G
It’s a cruel summer
F
It’s cool, that’s what I tell ’em
C Am
No rules in breakable heaven
 

Bridge

 
Am G
I’m drunk in the back of the car and I
F
Cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh)
C
Said, “I’m fine,” but it wasn’t true
Am G FC
I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you
 


How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide


1
Learn the chords
This song uses 4 chords in the key of A: Am G F C. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: The F barre chord is the tricky one — use Fmaj7 (skip the low E and A strings) while you build finger strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cruel Summer"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Cruel Summer" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Cruel Summer" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Cruel Summer"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, St. Vincent, and released in 2019.

Amtap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
Am · G · F · C

Cruel Summer Chords – Mandolin

Taylor Swift’s synth-pop masterpiece that became a massive hit years after its release.

Driving Pop (4/4 Time)
123456
Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
Am G
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night
F C
You know that I caught it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
Am G
Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price
F C
You know that I bought it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
 

Chorus

 
Am G
It’s a cruel summer
F
It’s cool, that’s what I tell ’em
C Am
No rules in breakable heaven
 

Bridge

 
Am G
I’m drunk in the back of the car and I
F
Cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh)
C
Said, “I’m fine,” but it wasn’t true
Am G FC
I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you
 


How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide


1
Learn the chords
This song uses 4 chords in the key of A: Am G F C. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: The F barre chord is the tricky one — use Fmaj7 (skip the low E and A strings) while you build finger strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cruel Summer"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Cruel Summer" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Cruel Summer" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Cruel Summer"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, St. Vincent, and released in 2019.

Amtap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
Am · G · F · C

Cruel Summer Chords – Harmonica

Taylor Swift’s synth-pop masterpiece that became a massive hit years after its release.

Driving Pop (4/4 Time)
123456
Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
Am G
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night
F C
You know that I caught it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
Am G
Bad, bad boy, shiny toy with a price
F C
You know that I bought it (oh yeah, you’re right, I want it)
 

Chorus

 
Am G
It’s a cruel summer
F
It’s cool, that’s what I tell ’em
C Am
No rules in breakable heaven
 

Bridge

 
Am G
I’m drunk in the back of the car and I
F
Cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh)
C
Said, “I’m fine,” but it wasn’t true
Am G FC
I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you
 


How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide


1
Learn the chords
This song uses 4 chords in the key of A: Am G F C. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2
Practice the changes
Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3
Add the strumming
Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4
Play along
Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: The F barre chord is the tricky one — use Fmaj7 (skip the low E and A strings) while you build finger strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Cruel Summer"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Cruel Summer" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Cruel Summer" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Cruel Summer"?

It was written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, St. Vincent, and released in 2019.