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Santeria Chords

Sublime Intermediate Key of E 5 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Etap to play

G#mtap to play

C#mtap to play

Btap to play

Atap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Capo

None

Chords

E · G#m · C#m · B · A

Santeria Chords – Guitar

Sublime’s most famous track blends rock, ska, and reggae with an infectious groove. The chord progression has a warm, sunny California vibe despite the song’s darker lyrical themes.

Ska-Rock Groove (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The rhythm has a ska feel – emphasize the upstrokes. Use barre chord shapes for G#m and C#m. Keep the groove loose and laid-back, letting the rhythm bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E G#m C#m B

I don’t practice Santa-ria, I ain’t got no crystal ball

E G#m

Well I had a million dollars but I’d, I’d spend it all

C#m B A B

If I could find that Heina and that Sancho that she’s found

E G#m C#m B

Well I’d pop a cap in Sancho and I’d slap her down

Chorus

A B

What I really wanna know, my baby

A B E

What I really wanna say I can’t de-fine

A B

Well it’s love that I need

Verse 2

E G#m C#m B

Oh my soul will have to wait ’til I get back, find a Heina of my own

E G#m

Daddy’s gonna love one and all

C#m B A

I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break

B

And I got to live it up

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Santeria"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G#m, C#m, B and A.

Is "Santeria" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Santeria" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Santeria"?

It was written by Bradley Nowell, and released in 1996.

Etap to play

G#mtap to play

C#mtap to play

Btap to play

Atap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

E · G#m · C#m · B · A

Santeria Chords – Ukulele

Sublime’s most famous track blends rock, ska, and reggae with an infectious groove. The chord progression has a warm, sunny California vibe despite the song’s darker lyrical themes.

Ska-Rock Groove (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The rhythm has a ska feel – emphasize the upstrokes. Use barre chord shapes for G#m and C#m. Keep the groove loose and laid-back, letting the rhythm bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E G#m C#m B

I don’t practice Santa-ria, I ain’t got no crystal ball

E G#m

Well I had a million dollars but I’d, I’d spend it all

C#m B A B

If I could find that Heina and that Sancho that she’s found

E G#m C#m B

Well I’d pop a cap in Sancho and I’d slap her down

Chorus

A B

What I really wanna know, my baby

A B E

What I really wanna say I can’t de-fine

A B

Well it’s love that I need

Verse 2

E G#m C#m B

Oh my soul will have to wait ’til I get back, find a Heina of my own

E G#m

Daddy’s gonna love one and all

C#m B A

I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break

B

And I got to live it up

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Santeria"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G#m, C#m, B and A.

Is "Santeria" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Santeria" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Santeria"?

It was written by Bradley Nowell, and released in 1996.

Etap to play

G#mtap to play

C#mtap to play

Btap to play

Atap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

E · G#m · C#m · B · A

Santeria Chords – Piano

Sublime’s most famous track blends rock, ska, and reggae with an infectious groove. The chord progression has a warm, sunny California vibe despite the song’s darker lyrical themes.

Ska-Rock Groove (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The rhythm has a ska feel – emphasize the upstrokes. Use barre chord shapes for G#m and C#m. Keep the groove loose and laid-back, letting the rhythm bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E G#m C#m B

I don’t practice Santa-ria, I ain’t got no crystal ball

E G#m

Well I had a million dollars but I’d, I’d spend it all

C#m B A B

If I could find that Heina and that Sancho that she’s found

E G#m C#m B

Well I’d pop a cap in Sancho and I’d slap her down

Chorus

A B

What I really wanna know, my baby

A B E

What I really wanna say I can’t de-fine

A B

Well it’s love that I need

Verse 2

E G#m C#m B

Oh my soul will have to wait ’til I get back, find a Heina of my own

E G#m

Daddy’s gonna love one and all

C#m B A

I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break

B

And I got to live it up

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Santeria"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G#m, C#m, B and A.

Is "Santeria" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Santeria" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Santeria"?

It was written by Bradley Nowell, and released in 1996.

Etap to play

G#mtap to play

C#mtap to play

Btap to play

Atap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

E · G#m · C#m · B · A

Santeria Chords – Banjo

Sublime’s most famous track blends rock, ska, and reggae with an infectious groove. The chord progression has a warm, sunny California vibe despite the song’s darker lyrical themes.

Ska-Rock Groove (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The rhythm has a ska feel – emphasize the upstrokes. Use barre chord shapes for G#m and C#m. Keep the groove loose and laid-back, letting the rhythm bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E G#m C#m B

I don’t practice Santa-ria, I ain’t got no crystal ball

E G#m

Well I had a million dollars but I’d, I’d spend it all

C#m B A B

If I could find that Heina and that Sancho that she’s found

E G#m C#m B

Well I’d pop a cap in Sancho and I’d slap her down

Chorus

A B

What I really wanna know, my baby

A B E

What I really wanna say I can’t de-fine

A B

Well it’s love that I need

Verse 2

E G#m C#m B

Oh my soul will have to wait ’til I get back, find a Heina of my own

E G#m

Daddy’s gonna love one and all

C#m B A

I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break

B

And I got to live it up

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Santeria"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G#m, C#m, B and A.

Is "Santeria" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Santeria" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Santeria"?

It was written by Bradley Nowell, and released in 1996.

Etap to play

G#mtap to play

C#mtap to play

Btap to play

Atap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

E · G#m · C#m · B · A

Santeria Chords – Mandolin

Sublime’s most famous track blends rock, ska, and reggae with an infectious groove. The chord progression has a warm, sunny California vibe despite the song’s darker lyrical themes.

Ska-Rock Groove (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The rhythm has a ska feel – emphasize the upstrokes. Use barre chord shapes for G#m and C#m. Keep the groove loose and laid-back, letting the rhythm bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E G#m C#m B

I don’t practice Santa-ria, I ain’t got no crystal ball

E G#m

Well I had a million dollars but I’d, I’d spend it all

C#m B A B

If I could find that Heina and that Sancho that she’s found

E G#m C#m B

Well I’d pop a cap in Sancho and I’d slap her down

Chorus

A B

What I really wanna know, my baby

A B E

What I really wanna say I can’t de-fine

A B

Well it’s love that I need

Verse 2

E G#m C#m B

Oh my soul will have to wait ’til I get back, find a Heina of my own

E G#m

Daddy’s gonna love one and all

C#m B A

I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break

B

And I got to live it up

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Santeria"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G#m, C#m, B and A.

Is "Santeria" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Santeria" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Santeria"?

It was written by Bradley Nowell, and released in 1996.

Etap to play

G#mtap to play

C#mtap to play

Btap to play

Atap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Intermediate

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

E · G#m · C#m · B · A

Santeria Chords – Harmonica

Sublime’s most famous track blends rock, ska, and reggae with an infectious groove. The chord progression has a warm, sunny California vibe despite the song’s darker lyrical themes.

Ska-Rock Groove (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: The rhythm has a ska feel – emphasize the upstrokes. Use barre chord shapes for G#m and C#m. Keep the groove loose and laid-back, letting the rhythm bounce.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E G#m C#m B

I don’t practice Santa-ria, I ain’t got no crystal ball

E G#m

Well I had a million dollars but I’d, I’d spend it all

C#m B A B

If I could find that Heina and that Sancho that she’s found

E G#m C#m B

Well I’d pop a cap in Sancho and I’d slap her down

Chorus

A B

What I really wanna know, my baby

A B E

What I really wanna say I can’t de-fine

A B

Well it’s love that I need

Verse 2

E G#m C#m B

Oh my soul will have to wait ’til I get back, find a Heina of my own

E G#m

Daddy’s gonna love one and all

C#m B A

I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break

B

And I got to live it up

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Santeria"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: E, G#m, C#m, B and A.

Is "Santeria" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Santeria" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Santeria"?

It was written by Bradley Nowell, and released in 1996.