Rock, Pop

Don’t Speak Chords

No Doubt Intermediate Key of C 6 Chords 4 min read Updated Jul 2026

Cmtap to play

Gmtap to play

Bbtap to play

Ebtap to play

Abtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Capo

None

Chords

Cm · Gm · Bb · Eb · Ab · F

Don’t Speak Chords – Guitar

No Doubt’s iconic 1990s breakup anthem about the pain of a relationship ending in silence. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Pop-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of D, while using these C-shape chords.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

You and me, we used to be together

F G

Every day together, always

Am G

I really feel that I’m losing my best friend

F G

I can’t believe this could be the end

Verse 2

Am G

It looks as though you’re letting go

F G

And if it’s real, well, I don’t want to know

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Verse 3

Am G F G

Our inside jokes, they’re not so funny anymore

Am G F G

And all our secrets, I’ve heard them all before

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Bridge

F G Am

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

F G

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

F G

Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t

F G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Outro

Am

No, no, don’t speak

G

I know what you’re thinking

F

And I don’t need your reasons

G

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

Am

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Practice tip: Master the Am-G-F-G progression before adding the lyrics, as it forms the core of the song’s emotional pull.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Don’t Speak"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Cm, Gm, Bb, Eb, Ab and F.

Is "Don’t Speak" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Don’t Speak" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Don’t Speak"?

It was written by Eric Stefani, Gwen Stefani, and released in 1995.

Cmtap to play

Gmtap to play

Bbtap to play

Ebtap to play

Abtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Cm · Gm · Bb · Eb · Ab · F

Don’t Speak Chords – Ukulele

No Doubt’s iconic 1990s breakup anthem about the pain of a relationship ending in silence. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Pop-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of D, while using these C-shape chords.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

You and me, we used to be together

F G

Every day together, always

Am G

I really feel that I’m losing my best friend

F G

I can’t believe this could be the end

Verse 2

Am G

It looks as though you’re letting go

F G

And if it’s real, well, I don’t want to know

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Verse 3

Am G F G

Our inside jokes, they’re not so funny anymore

Am G F G

And all our secrets, I’ve heard them all before

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Bridge

F G Am

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

F G

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

F G

Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t

F G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Outro

Am

No, no, don’t speak

G

I know what you’re thinking

F

And I don’t need your reasons

G

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

Am

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Practice tip: Master the Am-G-F-G progression before adding the lyrics, as it forms the core of the song’s emotional pull.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Don’t Speak"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Cm, Gm, Bb, Eb, Ab and F.

Is "Don’t Speak" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Don’t Speak" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Don’t Speak"?

It was written by Eric Stefani, Gwen Stefani, and released in 1995.

Cmtap to play

Gmtap to play

Bbtap to play

Ebtap to play

Abtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Cm · Gm · Bb · Eb · Ab · F

Don’t Speak Chords – Piano

No Doubt’s iconic 1990s breakup anthem about the pain of a relationship ending in silence. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Pop-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of D, while using these C-shape chords.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

You and me, we used to be together

F G

Every day together, always

Am G

I really feel that I’m losing my best friend

F G

I can’t believe this could be the end

Verse 2

Am G

It looks as though you’re letting go

F G

And if it’s real, well, I don’t want to know

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Verse 3

Am G F G

Our inside jokes, they’re not so funny anymore

Am G F G

And all our secrets, I’ve heard them all before

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Bridge

F G Am

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

F G

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

F G

Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t

F G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Outro

Am

No, no, don’t speak

G

I know what you’re thinking

F

And I don’t need your reasons

G

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

Am

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Practice tip: Master the Am-G-F-G progression before adding the lyrics, as it forms the core of the song’s emotional pull.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Don’t Speak"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Cm, Gm, Bb, Eb, Ab and F.

Is "Don’t Speak" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Don’t Speak" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Don’t Speak"?

It was written by Eric Stefani, Gwen Stefani, and released in 1995.

Cmtap to play

Gmtap to play

Bbtap to play

Ebtap to play

Abtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Cm · Gm · Bb · Eb · Ab · F

Don’t Speak Chords – Banjo

No Doubt’s iconic 1990s breakup anthem about the pain of a relationship ending in silence. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Pop-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of D, while using these C-shape chords.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

You and me, we used to be together

F G

Every day together, always

Am G

I really feel that I’m losing my best friend

F G

I can’t believe this could be the end

Verse 2

Am G

It looks as though you’re letting go

F G

And if it’s real, well, I don’t want to know

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Verse 3

Am G F G

Our inside jokes, they’re not so funny anymore

Am G F G

And all our secrets, I’ve heard them all before

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Bridge

F G Am

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

F G

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

F G

Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t

F G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Outro

Am

No, no, don’t speak

G

I know what you’re thinking

F

And I don’t need your reasons

G

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

Am

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Practice tip: Master the Am-G-F-G progression before adding the lyrics, as it forms the core of the song’s emotional pull.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Don’t Speak"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Cm, Gm, Bb, Eb, Ab and F.

Is "Don’t Speak" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Don’t Speak" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Don’t Speak"?

It was written by Eric Stefani, Gwen Stefani, and released in 1995.

Cmtap to play

Gmtap to play

Bbtap to play

Ebtap to play

Abtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Cm · Gm · Bb · Eb · Ab · F

Don’t Speak Chords – Mandolin

No Doubt’s iconic 1990s breakup anthem about the pain of a relationship ending in silence. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Pop-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of D, while using these C-shape chords.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

You and me, we used to be together

F G

Every day together, always

Am G

I really feel that I’m losing my best friend

F G

I can’t believe this could be the end

Verse 2

Am G

It looks as though you’re letting go

F G

And if it’s real, well, I don’t want to know

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Verse 3

Am G F G

Our inside jokes, they’re not so funny anymore

Am G F G

And all our secrets, I’ve heard them all before

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Bridge

F G Am

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

F G

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

F G

Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t

F G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Outro

Am

No, no, don’t speak

G

I know what you’re thinking

F

And I don’t need your reasons

G

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

Am

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Practice tip: Master the Am-G-F-G progression before adding the lyrics, as it forms the core of the song’s emotional pull.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Don’t Speak"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Cm, Gm, Bb, Eb, Ab and F.

Is "Don’t Speak" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Don’t Speak" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Don’t Speak"?

It was written by Eric Stefani, Gwen Stefani, and released in 1995.

Cmtap to play

Gmtap to play

Bbtap to play

Ebtap to play

Abtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Cm · Gm · Bb · Eb · Ab · F

Don’t Speak Chords – Harmonica

No Doubt’s iconic 1990s breakup anthem about the pain of a relationship ending in silence. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Pop-Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of D, while using these C-shape chords.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am G

You and me, we used to be together

F G

Every day together, always

Am G

I really feel that I’m losing my best friend

F G

I can’t believe this could be the end

Verse 2

Am G

It looks as though you’re letting go

F G

And if it’s real, well, I don’t want to know

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Verse 3

Am G F G

Our inside jokes, they’re not so funny anymore

Am G F G

And all our secrets, I’ve heard them all before

Am G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Bridge

F G Am

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

F G

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

F G

Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t

F G

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re saying

F G Am

So please stop explaining, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Chorus

F G

Don’t speak, I know what you’re thinking

Am G F

I don’t need your reasons, don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

G Am G

The memories, the memories seem so distant

F G Am G

Now, the memories, the memories seem so distant

Outro

Am

No, no, don’t speak

G

I know what you’re thinking

F

And I don’t need your reasons

G

I know you’re good, I know you’re good

Am

I know you’re real good, oh

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

F G

La la la la la la la la la la la la la la

Am

Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

Practice tip: Master the Am-G-F-G progression before adding the lyrics, as it forms the core of the song’s emotional pull.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Don’t Speak"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Cm, Gm, Bb, Eb, Ab and F.

Is "Don’t Speak" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Don’t Speak" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Don’t Speak"?

It was written by Eric Stefani, Gwen Stefani, and released in 1995.