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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
C · Em · Am · G · F
I Can’t Make You Love Me Chords – Guitar
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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
C · Em · Am · G · F
I Can’t Make You Love Me Chords – Ukulele
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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
C · Em · Am · G · F
I Can’t Make You Love Me Chords – Piano
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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
C · Em · Am · G · F
I Can’t Make You Love Me Chords – Banjo
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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
C · Em · Am · G · F
I Can’t Make You Love Me Chords – Mandolin
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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
C · Em · Am · G · F
I Can’t Make You Love Me Chords – Harmonica
Bonnie Raitt’s heartbreaking ballad about unrequited love and letting go. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Slow Ballad (6/8 Time)
↓↑↓↑
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Tip: Use a slow, gentle strum to match the song’s emotional tone.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
C – F
C – G – C
F – C
F – G (×2)
Chorus
[Cause I can’t make you love me if you don’t
You can’t make your heart feel something it won’t
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I’ll feel the power
But you won’t
No, you won’t
‘Cause I can’t make you love me, if you don’t
Verse 2
C
F
C – G
Chorus
[Cause I can’t make you love me if you don’t
You can’t make your heart feel something it won’t
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I’ll feel the power
But you won’t
No, you won’t
‘Cause I can’t make you love me, if you don’t
Bridge
F – C
F – G – C
Chorus
[Cause I can’t make you love me if you don’t
You can’t make your heart feel something it won’t
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I’ll feel the power
But you won’t
No, you won’t
‘Cause I can’t make you love me, if you don’t
Practice tip: Practice the C to F transition slowly; it’s the core of the song’s progression.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "I Can’t Make You Love Me"?
You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: C, Em, Am, G and F.
Is "I Can’t Make You Love Me" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "I Can’t Make You Love Me" in?
It is in the key of C.
Who wrote "I Can’t Make You Love Me"?
It was written by Mike Reid, Allen Shamblin, and released in 1991.