Folk, Pop

If You Could Read My Mind Chords

Gordon Lightfoot Beginner Key of G 5 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

If You Could Read My Mind Chords – Guitar

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

If You Could Read My Mind Chords – Ukulele

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

If You Could Read My Mind Chords – Piano

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

If You Could Read My Mind Chords – Banjo

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

If You Could Read My Mind Chords – Mandolin

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em · Am

If You Could Read My Mind Chords – Harmonica

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic folk ballad about love, loss, and the stories we tell ourselves. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Chords used: G, C, D, Em, Am · Key: G · Difficulty: Beginner

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

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Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the reflective mood.

Chords & Structure

Full Song

Verse 1

G

C – G

D

C – G (×2)

D – C

G

C – D

G

Chorus

G

C – G

D

C – G (×2)

D – C

G

C – D

G

Verse 2

G

C – G

D

C – G (×2)

D – C

G

C – D

G

C

D

Chorus

G

C – G

D

C – G (×2)

D – C

G

C – D

G

Bridge

G – C

G – D

G – C

Outro

G

C – G

D

C – G (×2)

D – C

G

C – D

G

C – D

G

C – D

G

C

D – G

Practice tip: Focus on the G to C and C to D transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song. Play slowly and let each chord resonate before moving to the next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "If You Could Read My Mind"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D, Em and Am.

Is "If You Could Read My Mind" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "If You Could Read My Mind" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "If You Could Read My Mind"?

It was written by Gordon Lightfoot, and released in 1970.