Indie, Rock

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Chords

Neutral Milk Hotel Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · Em · C · D

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Chords – Guitar

Neutral Milk Hotel’s indie-folk masterpiece — a surreal, emotional experience. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Lo-Fi Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with raw passion and abandon. Jeff Mangum’s style is intentionally rough and emotional — this isn’t about precision, it’s about feeling everything deeply.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

What a beautiful dream that could flash on the screen

C D

In the blink of an eye and be gone from me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D

Let me hold it close and keep it here with me, me

Verse 2

G Em

And one day we will die and our ashes will fly

C D

From the aeroplane over the sea

G Em

But for now we are young, let us lay in the sun

C D

And count every beautiful thing we can see

G Em C D

Love to be in the arms of all I’m keeping here with me

Chorus

G Em

What a curious life we have found here tonight

C D

There is music that sounds from the street

G Em

There are lights in the clouds, Anna’s ghost all around

C D

Hear her voice as it’s rolling and ringing through me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D G

How the notes all bend and reach above the trees

Verse 3

G

Now how I remember you

Em C

How I would push my fingers through your mouth

D

To make those muscles move

G

That made your voice so smooth and sweet

Em

And now we keep where we don’t know

C D

All secrets sleep in winter clothes

G

With one you loved so long ago

Em C D

Now he don’t even know his name

Outro

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

And when we meet on a cloud, I’ll be laughing out loud

C D

I’ll be laughing with everyone I see

G Em C DG

Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all

Practice tip: Four chords (G, Em, C, D) throughout. The beauty is in the raw, passionate delivery. Don’t worry about being technically perfect — Jeff Mangum never did. Feel every word and chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Em, C and D.

Is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

It was written by Jeff Mangum, and released in 1998.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · Em · C · D

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Chords – Ukulele

Neutral Milk Hotel’s indie-folk masterpiece — a surreal, emotional experience. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Lo-Fi Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with raw passion and abandon. Jeff Mangum’s style is intentionally rough and emotional — this isn’t about precision, it’s about feeling everything deeply.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

What a beautiful dream that could flash on the screen

C D

In the blink of an eye and be gone from me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D

Let me hold it close and keep it here with me, me

Verse 2

G Em

And one day we will die and our ashes will fly

C D

From the aeroplane over the sea

G Em

But for now we are young, let us lay in the sun

C D

And count every beautiful thing we can see

G Em C D

Love to be in the arms of all I’m keeping here with me

Chorus

G Em

What a curious life we have found here tonight

C D

There is music that sounds from the street

G Em

There are lights in the clouds, Anna’s ghost all around

C D

Hear her voice as it’s rolling and ringing through me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D G

How the notes all bend and reach above the trees

Verse 3

G

Now how I remember you

Em C

How I would push my fingers through your mouth

D

To make those muscles move

G

That made your voice so smooth and sweet

Em

And now we keep where we don’t know

C D

All secrets sleep in winter clothes

G

With one you loved so long ago

Em C D

Now he don’t even know his name

Outro

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

And when we meet on a cloud, I’ll be laughing out loud

C D

I’ll be laughing with everyone I see

G Em C DG

Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all

Practice tip: Four chords (G, Em, C, D) throughout. The beauty is in the raw, passionate delivery. Don’t worry about being technically perfect — Jeff Mangum never did. Feel every word and chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Em, C and D.

Is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

It was written by Jeff Mangum, and released in 1998.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · Em · C · D

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Chords – Piano

Neutral Milk Hotel’s indie-folk masterpiece — a surreal, emotional experience. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Lo-Fi Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with raw passion and abandon. Jeff Mangum’s style is intentionally rough and emotional — this isn’t about precision, it’s about feeling everything deeply.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

What a beautiful dream that could flash on the screen

C D

In the blink of an eye and be gone from me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D

Let me hold it close and keep it here with me, me

Verse 2

G Em

And one day we will die and our ashes will fly

C D

From the aeroplane over the sea

G Em

But for now we are young, let us lay in the sun

C D

And count every beautiful thing we can see

G Em C D

Love to be in the arms of all I’m keeping here with me

Chorus

G Em

What a curious life we have found here tonight

C D

There is music that sounds from the street

G Em

There are lights in the clouds, Anna’s ghost all around

C D

Hear her voice as it’s rolling and ringing through me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D G

How the notes all bend and reach above the trees

Verse 3

G

Now how I remember you

Em C

How I would push my fingers through your mouth

D

To make those muscles move

G

That made your voice so smooth and sweet

Em

And now we keep where we don’t know

C D

All secrets sleep in winter clothes

G

With one you loved so long ago

Em C D

Now he don’t even know his name

Outro

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

And when we meet on a cloud, I’ll be laughing out loud

C D

I’ll be laughing with everyone I see

G Em C DG

Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all

Practice tip: Four chords (G, Em, C, D) throughout. The beauty is in the raw, passionate delivery. Don’t worry about being technically perfect — Jeff Mangum never did. Feel every word and chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Em, C and D.

Is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

It was written by Jeff Mangum, and released in 1998.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · Em · C · D

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Chords – Banjo

Neutral Milk Hotel’s indie-folk masterpiece — a surreal, emotional experience. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Lo-Fi Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with raw passion and abandon. Jeff Mangum’s style is intentionally rough and emotional — this isn’t about precision, it’s about feeling everything deeply.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

What a beautiful dream that could flash on the screen

C D

In the blink of an eye and be gone from me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D

Let me hold it close and keep it here with me, me

Verse 2

G Em

And one day we will die and our ashes will fly

C D

From the aeroplane over the sea

G Em

But for now we are young, let us lay in the sun

C D

And count every beautiful thing we can see

G Em C D

Love to be in the arms of all I’m keeping here with me

Chorus

G Em

What a curious life we have found here tonight

C D

There is music that sounds from the street

G Em

There are lights in the clouds, Anna’s ghost all around

C D

Hear her voice as it’s rolling and ringing through me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D G

How the notes all bend and reach above the trees

Verse 3

G

Now how I remember you

Em C

How I would push my fingers through your mouth

D

To make those muscles move

G

That made your voice so smooth and sweet

Em

And now we keep where we don’t know

C D

All secrets sleep in winter clothes

G

With one you loved so long ago

Em C D

Now he don’t even know his name

Outro

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

And when we meet on a cloud, I’ll be laughing out loud

C D

I’ll be laughing with everyone I see

G Em C DG

Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all

Practice tip: Four chords (G, Em, C, D) throughout. The beauty is in the raw, passionate delivery. Don’t worry about being technically perfect — Jeff Mangum never did. Feel every word and chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Em, C and D.

Is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

It was written by Jeff Mangum, and released in 1998.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · Em · C · D

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Chords – Mandolin

Neutral Milk Hotel’s indie-folk masterpiece — a surreal, emotional experience. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Lo-Fi Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with raw passion and abandon. Jeff Mangum’s style is intentionally rough and emotional — this isn’t about precision, it’s about feeling everything deeply.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

What a beautiful dream that could flash on the screen

C D

In the blink of an eye and be gone from me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D

Let me hold it close and keep it here with me, me

Verse 2

G Em

And one day we will die and our ashes will fly

C D

From the aeroplane over the sea

G Em

But for now we are young, let us lay in the sun

C D

And count every beautiful thing we can see

G Em C D

Love to be in the arms of all I’m keeping here with me

Chorus

G Em

What a curious life we have found here tonight

C D

There is music that sounds from the street

G Em

There are lights in the clouds, Anna’s ghost all around

C D

Hear her voice as it’s rolling and ringing through me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D G

How the notes all bend and reach above the trees

Verse 3

G

Now how I remember you

Em C

How I would push my fingers through your mouth

D

To make those muscles move

G

That made your voice so smooth and sweet

Em

And now we keep where we don’t know

C D

All secrets sleep in winter clothes

G

With one you loved so long ago

Em C D

Now he don’t even know his name

Outro

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

And when we meet on a cloud, I’ll be laughing out loud

C D

I’ll be laughing with everyone I see

G Em C DG

Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all

Practice tip: Four chords (G, Em, C, D) throughout. The beauty is in the raw, passionate delivery. Don’t worry about being technically perfect — Jeff Mangum never did. Feel every word and chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Em, C and D.

Is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

It was written by Jeff Mangum, and released in 1998.

Gtap to play

Emtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · Em · C · D

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Chords – Harmonica

Neutral Milk Hotel’s indie-folk masterpiece — a surreal, emotional experience. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Lo-Fi Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Play with raw passion and abandon. Jeff Mangum’s style is intentionally rough and emotional — this isn’t about precision, it’s about feeling everything deeply.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

What a beautiful dream that could flash on the screen

C D

In the blink of an eye and be gone from me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D

Let me hold it close and keep it here with me, me

Verse 2

G Em

And one day we will die and our ashes will fly

C D

From the aeroplane over the sea

G Em

But for now we are young, let us lay in the sun

C D

And count every beautiful thing we can see

G Em C D

Love to be in the arms of all I’m keeping here with me

Chorus

G Em

What a curious life we have found here tonight

C D

There is music that sounds from the street

G Em

There are lights in the clouds, Anna’s ghost all around

C D

Hear her voice as it’s rolling and ringing through me

G

Soft and sweet

Em C D G

How the notes all bend and reach above the trees

Verse 3

G

Now how I remember you

Em C

How I would push my fingers through your mouth

D

To make those muscles move

G

That made your voice so smooth and sweet

Em

And now we keep where we don’t know

C D

All secrets sleep in winter clothes

G

With one you loved so long ago

Em C D

Now he don’t even know his name

Outro

G Em

What a beautiful face I have found in this place

C D

That is circling all round the sun

G Em

And when we meet on a cloud, I’ll be laughing out loud

C D

I’ll be laughing with everyone I see

G Em C DG

Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all

Practice tip: Four chords (G, Em, C, D) throughout. The beauty is in the raw, passionate delivery. Don’t worry about being technically perfect — Jeff Mangum never did. Feel every word and chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Em, C and D.

Is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"?

It was written by Jeff Mangum, and released in 1998.