Rock

Nights in White Satin Chords

Moody Blues Intermediate Key of E 6 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Btap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Capo

None

Chords

Em · D · C · Am · G · B

Nights in White Satin Chords – Guitar

The Moody Blues’ psychedelic symphonic rock ballad about longing and reflection. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Arpeggiated Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light fingerpicking or arpeggiated strum to capture the song’s dreamy, orchestral feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Verse 2

E B

Gazing at people, some hand in hand

A E

Just what I’m going through they can’t understand

E B

Some try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend

A E

Just what you want to be you will be in the end

Chorus

C#m

And I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Instrumental / Spoken Word

E

Breathe deep the gathering gloom

B

Watch lights fade from every room

A

Bedsitter people look back and lament

E

Another day’s useless energy spent

E

Impassioned lovers wrestle as one

B

Lonely man cries for love and has none

A

New mother picks up and suckles her son

E

Senior citizens wish they were young

C

Cold-hearted orb that rules the night

G

Removes the colours from our sight

D

Red is grey and yellow, white

G

But we decide which is right

D

And which is an illusion

Verse 3

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Outro

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin…

Practice tip: Master the chord progression E – B – A – E separately before adding the lyrics; the bridge section has a key change to C major, so practice that shift smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Nights in White Satin"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Em, D, C, Am, G and B.

Is "Nights in White Satin" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Nights in White Satin" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Nights in White Satin"?

It was written by Justin Hayward, and released in 1967.

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Btap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Em · D · C · Am · G · B

Nights in White Satin Chords – Ukulele

The Moody Blues’ psychedelic symphonic rock ballad about longing and reflection. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Arpeggiated Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light fingerpicking or arpeggiated strum to capture the song’s dreamy, orchestral feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Verse 2

E B

Gazing at people, some hand in hand

A E

Just what I’m going through they can’t understand

E B

Some try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend

A E

Just what you want to be you will be in the end

Chorus

C#m

And I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Instrumental / Spoken Word

E

Breathe deep the gathering gloom

B

Watch lights fade from every room

A

Bedsitter people look back and lament

E

Another day’s useless energy spent

E

Impassioned lovers wrestle as one

B

Lonely man cries for love and has none

A

New mother picks up and suckles her son

E

Senior citizens wish they were young

C

Cold-hearted orb that rules the night

G

Removes the colours from our sight

D

Red is grey and yellow, white

G

But we decide which is right

D

And which is an illusion

Verse 3

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Outro

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin…

Practice tip: Master the chord progression E – B – A – E separately before adding the lyrics; the bridge section has a key change to C major, so practice that shift smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Nights in White Satin"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Em, D, C, Am, G and B.

Is "Nights in White Satin" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Nights in White Satin" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Nights in White Satin"?

It was written by Justin Hayward, and released in 1967.

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Btap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Em · D · C · Am · G · B

Nights in White Satin Chords – Piano

The Moody Blues’ psychedelic symphonic rock ballad about longing and reflection. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Arpeggiated Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light fingerpicking or arpeggiated strum to capture the song’s dreamy, orchestral feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Verse 2

E B

Gazing at people, some hand in hand

A E

Just what I’m going through they can’t understand

E B

Some try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend

A E

Just what you want to be you will be in the end

Chorus

C#m

And I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Instrumental / Spoken Word

E

Breathe deep the gathering gloom

B

Watch lights fade from every room

A

Bedsitter people look back and lament

E

Another day’s useless energy spent

E

Impassioned lovers wrestle as one

B

Lonely man cries for love and has none

A

New mother picks up and suckles her son

E

Senior citizens wish they were young

C

Cold-hearted orb that rules the night

G

Removes the colours from our sight

D

Red is grey and yellow, white

G

But we decide which is right

D

And which is an illusion

Verse 3

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Outro

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin…

Practice tip: Master the chord progression E – B – A – E separately before adding the lyrics; the bridge section has a key change to C major, so practice that shift smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Nights in White Satin"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Em, D, C, Am, G and B.

Is "Nights in White Satin" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Nights in White Satin" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Nights in White Satin"?

It was written by Justin Hayward, and released in 1967.

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Btap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Em · D · C · Am · G · B

Nights in White Satin Chords – Banjo

The Moody Blues’ psychedelic symphonic rock ballad about longing and reflection. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Arpeggiated Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light fingerpicking or arpeggiated strum to capture the song’s dreamy, orchestral feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Verse 2

E B

Gazing at people, some hand in hand

A E

Just what I’m going through they can’t understand

E B

Some try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend

A E

Just what you want to be you will be in the end

Chorus

C#m

And I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Instrumental / Spoken Word

E

Breathe deep the gathering gloom

B

Watch lights fade from every room

A

Bedsitter people look back and lament

E

Another day’s useless energy spent

E

Impassioned lovers wrestle as one

B

Lonely man cries for love and has none

A

New mother picks up and suckles her son

E

Senior citizens wish they were young

C

Cold-hearted orb that rules the night

G

Removes the colours from our sight

D

Red is grey and yellow, white

G

But we decide which is right

D

And which is an illusion

Verse 3

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Outro

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin…

Practice tip: Master the chord progression E – B – A – E separately before adding the lyrics; the bridge section has a key change to C major, so practice that shift smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Nights in White Satin"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Em, D, C, Am, G and B.

Is "Nights in White Satin" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Nights in White Satin" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Nights in White Satin"?

It was written by Justin Hayward, and released in 1967.

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Btap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Em · D · C · Am · G · B

Nights in White Satin Chords – Mandolin

The Moody Blues’ psychedelic symphonic rock ballad about longing and reflection. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Arpeggiated Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light fingerpicking or arpeggiated strum to capture the song’s dreamy, orchestral feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Verse 2

E B

Gazing at people, some hand in hand

A E

Just what I’m going through they can’t understand

E B

Some try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend

A E

Just what you want to be you will be in the end

Chorus

C#m

And I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Instrumental / Spoken Word

E

Breathe deep the gathering gloom

B

Watch lights fade from every room

A

Bedsitter people look back and lament

E

Another day’s useless energy spent

E

Impassioned lovers wrestle as one

B

Lonely man cries for love and has none

A

New mother picks up and suckles her son

E

Senior citizens wish they were young

C

Cold-hearted orb that rules the night

G

Removes the colours from our sight

D

Red is grey and yellow, white

G

But we decide which is right

D

And which is an illusion

Verse 3

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Outro

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin…

Practice tip: Master the chord progression E – B – A – E separately before adding the lyrics; the bridge section has a key change to C major, so practice that shift smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Nights in White Satin"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Em, D, C, Am, G and B.

Is "Nights in White Satin" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Nights in White Satin" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Nights in White Satin"?

It was written by Justin Hayward, and released in 1967.

Emtap to play

Dtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Btap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Em · D · C · Am · G · B

Nights in White Satin Chords – Harmonica

The Moody Blues’ psychedelic symphonic rock ballad about longing and reflection. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Arpeggiated Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light fingerpicking or arpeggiated strum to capture the song’s dreamy, orchestral feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Verse 2

E B

Gazing at people, some hand in hand

A E

Just what I’m going through they can’t understand

E B

Some try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend

A E

Just what you want to be you will be in the end

Chorus

C#m

And I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Instrumental / Spoken Word

E

Breathe deep the gathering gloom

B

Watch lights fade from every room

A

Bedsitter people look back and lament

E

Another day’s useless energy spent

E

Impassioned lovers wrestle as one

B

Lonely man cries for love and has none

A

New mother picks up and suckles her son

E

Senior citizens wish they were young

C

Cold-hearted orb that rules the night

G

Removes the colours from our sight

D

Red is grey and yellow, white

G

But we decide which is right

D

And which is an illusion

Verse 3

E B

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end

A E

Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send

E B

Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before

A E

Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore

Chorus

C#m

’Cause I love you

A

Yes, I love you

E

Oh, how I love you

Outro

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin

B

Nights in white satin

A E

Nights in white satin

E

Nights in white satin…

Practice tip: Master the chord progression E – B – A – E separately before adding the lyrics; the bridge section has a key change to C major, so practice that shift smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Nights in White Satin"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: Em, D, C, Am, G and B.

Is "Nights in White Satin" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of E, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Nights in White Satin" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Nights in White Satin"?

It was written by Justin Hayward, and released in 1967.