Rock, Alternative

Man on the Moon Chords

R.E.M. Beginner Key of C 5 Chords 4 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

C · G · Am · D · Em

Man on the Moon Chords – Guitar

R.E.M.’s classic tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman, blending reality and myth. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This pattern uses a light up-strum; keep your wrist loose.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Mott the Hoople and the game of Life

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Andy Kaufman in the wrestling match

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am F

Monopoly, Twenty-one, checkers, and chess

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Verse 2

C G

Moses went walking with the staff of wood

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Newton got beaned by the apple good

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Egypt was troubled by the horrible asp

Am F C

Mister Charles Darwin had the gall to ask

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Bridge

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve there’s nothing up my sleeve

Am F

Then nothing is cool

Verse 3

C G Am

Here’s a little agit for the never-believer

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am

Here’s a little ghost for the puller

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Outro

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Practice tip: The chord progression C, G, Am, F repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four shapes before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Man on the Moon"?

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

Is "Man on the Moon" 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 "Man on the Moon" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Man on the Moon"?

It was written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, and released in 1992.

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

C · G · Am · D · Em

Man on the Moon Chords – Ukulele

R.E.M.’s classic tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman, blending reality and myth. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This pattern uses a light up-strum; keep your wrist loose.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Mott the Hoople and the game of Life

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Andy Kaufman in the wrestling match

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am F

Monopoly, Twenty-one, checkers, and chess

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Verse 2

C G

Moses went walking with the staff of wood

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Newton got beaned by the apple good

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Egypt was troubled by the horrible asp

Am F C

Mister Charles Darwin had the gall to ask

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Bridge

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve there’s nothing up my sleeve

Am F

Then nothing is cool

Verse 3

C G Am

Here’s a little agit for the never-believer

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am

Here’s a little ghost for the puller

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Outro

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Practice tip: The chord progression C, G, Am, F repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four shapes before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Man on the Moon"?

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

Is "Man on the Moon" 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 "Man on the Moon" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Man on the Moon"?

It was written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, and released in 1992.

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

C · G · Am · D · Em

Man on the Moon Chords – Piano

R.E.M.’s classic tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman, blending reality and myth. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This pattern uses a light up-strum; keep your wrist loose.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Mott the Hoople and the game of Life

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Andy Kaufman in the wrestling match

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am F

Monopoly, Twenty-one, checkers, and chess

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Verse 2

C G

Moses went walking with the staff of wood

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Newton got beaned by the apple good

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Egypt was troubled by the horrible asp

Am F C

Mister Charles Darwin had the gall to ask

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Bridge

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve there’s nothing up my sleeve

Am F

Then nothing is cool

Verse 3

C G Am

Here’s a little agit for the never-believer

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am

Here’s a little ghost for the puller

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Outro

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Practice tip: The chord progression C, G, Am, F repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four shapes before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Man on the Moon"?

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

Is "Man on the Moon" 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 "Man on the Moon" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Man on the Moon"?

It was written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, and released in 1992.

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

C · G · Am · D · Em

Man on the Moon Chords – Banjo

R.E.M.’s classic tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman, blending reality and myth. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This pattern uses a light up-strum; keep your wrist loose.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Mott the Hoople and the game of Life

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Andy Kaufman in the wrestling match

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am F

Monopoly, Twenty-one, checkers, and chess

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Verse 2

C G

Moses went walking with the staff of wood

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Newton got beaned by the apple good

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Egypt was troubled by the horrible asp

Am F C

Mister Charles Darwin had the gall to ask

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Bridge

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve there’s nothing up my sleeve

Am F

Then nothing is cool

Verse 3

C G Am

Here’s a little agit for the never-believer

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am

Here’s a little ghost for the puller

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Outro

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Practice tip: The chord progression C, G, Am, F repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four shapes before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Man on the Moon"?

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

Is "Man on the Moon" 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 "Man on the Moon" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Man on the Moon"?

It was written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, and released in 1992.

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

C · G · Am · D · Em

Man on the Moon Chords – Mandolin

R.E.M.’s classic tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman, blending reality and myth. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This pattern uses a light up-strum; keep your wrist loose.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Mott the Hoople and the game of Life

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Andy Kaufman in the wrestling match

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am F

Monopoly, Twenty-one, checkers, and chess

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Verse 2

C G

Moses went walking with the staff of wood

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Newton got beaned by the apple good

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Egypt was troubled by the horrible asp

Am F C

Mister Charles Darwin had the gall to ask

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Bridge

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve there’s nothing up my sleeve

Am F

Then nothing is cool

Verse 3

C G Am

Here’s a little agit for the never-believer

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am

Here’s a little ghost for the puller

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Outro

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Practice tip: The chord progression C, G, Am, F repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four shapes before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Man on the Moon"?

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

Is "Man on the Moon" 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 "Man on the Moon" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Man on the Moon"?

It was written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, and released in 1992.

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

C · G · Am · D · Em

Man on the Moon Chords – Harmonica

R.E.M.’s classic tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman, blending reality and myth. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This pattern uses a light up-strum; keep your wrist loose.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Mott the Hoople and the game of Life

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Andy Kaufman in the wrestling match

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am F

Monopoly, Twenty-one, checkers, and chess

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Verse 2

C G

Moses went walking with the staff of wood

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Newton got beaned by the apple good

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

Egypt was troubled by the horrible asp

Am F C

Mister Charles Darwin had the gall to ask

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Bridge

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve there’s nothing up my sleeve

Am F

Then nothing is cool

Verse 3

C G Am

Here’s a little agit for the never-believer

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G Am

Here’s a little ghost for the puller

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

C G

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Am F

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Chorus

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

F C G Am

Mister Charlie told me so

F C G

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Outro

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Am F C G

If you be-lieve they put a man on the moon

Am F

Man on the moon

Practice tip: The chord progression C, G, Am, F repeats often; get comfortable switching between these four shapes before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Man on the Moon"?

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

Is "Man on the Moon" 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 "Man on the Moon" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Man on the Moon"?

It was written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, and released in 1992.