Listen to the Music Chords

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Listen to the Music Chords – Guitar

The Doobie Brothers’ classic feel-good anthem about the power of music to bring people together. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Easy Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a simple down-up strum and let the chords ring out clearly.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Verse 2

 
E
All the time
A
Oh, let the music play
E
All the time
A E
Oh, let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Bridge

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Verse 3

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Outro

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Practice tip: Focus on the easy two-chord switch between E and A, and strum the outro slowly to build the feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Listen to the Music"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Listen to the Music" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Listen to the Music" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Listen to the Music"?

It was written by Tom Johnston, and released in 1972.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Listen to the Music Chords – Ukulele

The Doobie Brothers’ classic feel-good anthem about the power of music to bring people together. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Easy Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a simple down-up strum and let the chords ring out clearly.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Verse 2

 
E
All the time
A
Oh, let the music play
E
All the time
A E
Oh, let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Bridge

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Verse 3

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Outro

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Practice tip: Focus on the easy two-chord switch between E and A, and strum the outro slowly to build the feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Listen to the Music"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Listen to the Music" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Listen to the Music" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Listen to the Music"?

It was written by Tom Johnston, and released in 1972.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Listen to the Music Chords – Piano

The Doobie Brothers’ classic feel-good anthem about the power of music to bring people together. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Easy Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a simple down-up strum and let the chords ring out clearly.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Verse 2

 
E
All the time
A
Oh, let the music play
E
All the time
A E
Oh, let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Bridge

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Verse 3

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Outro

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Practice tip: Focus on the easy two-chord switch between E and A, and strum the outro slowly to build the feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Listen to the Music"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Listen to the Music" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Listen to the Music" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Listen to the Music"?

It was written by Tom Johnston, and released in 1972.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Listen to the Music Chords – Banjo

The Doobie Brothers’ classic feel-good anthem about the power of music to bring people together. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Easy Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a simple down-up strum and let the chords ring out clearly.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Verse 2

 
E
All the time
A
Oh, let the music play
E
All the time
A E
Oh, let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Bridge

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Verse 3

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Outro

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Practice tip: Focus on the easy two-chord switch between E and A, and strum the outro slowly to build the feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Listen to the Music"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Listen to the Music" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Listen to the Music" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Listen to the Music"?

It was written by Tom Johnston, and released in 1972.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Listen to the Music Chords – Mandolin

The Doobie Brothers’ classic feel-good anthem about the power of music to bring people together. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Easy Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a simple down-up strum and let the chords ring out clearly.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Verse 2

 
E
All the time
A
Oh, let the music play
E
All the time
A E
Oh, let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Bridge

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Verse 3

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Outro

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Practice tip: Focus on the easy two-chord switch between E and A, and strum the outro slowly to build the feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Listen to the Music"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Listen to the Music" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Listen to the Music" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Listen to the Music"?

It was written by Tom Johnston, and released in 1972.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Listen to the Music Chords – Harmonica

The Doobie Brothers’ classic feel-good anthem about the power of music to bring people together. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Easy Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a simple down-up strum and let the chords ring out clearly.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Verse 2

 
E
All the time
A
Oh, let the music play
E
All the time
A E
Oh, let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Bridge

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Verse 3

 
E
Don’t you feel it growin’, day by day
A E
People gettin’ ready for the news
E
Some are happy, some are sad
A E
Oh, we got to let the music play
 

Chorus

 
A E
What the people need is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
A E
Gotta get a message, get it on through
A E
Oh, now mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
A E
Mama’s gonna help you understand
 

Outro

 
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
Yeah, yeah
A
Listen to the music
E
All the time
 

Practice tip: Focus on the easy two-chord switch between E and A, and strum the outro slowly to build the feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Listen to the Music"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Listen to the Music" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Listen to the Music" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Listen to the Music"?

It was written by Tom Johnston, and released in 1972.