Folk, Pop

Sunshine on My Shoulders Chords

John Denver Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

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Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Sunshine on My Shoulders Chords – Guitar

John Denver’s gentle, reflective ballad about the simple joy of sunshine and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s peaceful mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Verse 2

G C

Sunshine almost all the time makes me high

G D

Sunshine almost always…

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Bridge

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

C G

If I had a tale that I could tell you

C G

I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile

C G

If I had a wish that I could wish for you

C D

I’d make a wish for sunshine all the while

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (G, C, D). Practice switching between G and C, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

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

Is "Sunshine on My Shoulders" 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 "Sunshine on My Shoulders" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

It was written by John Denver, Mike Taylor, Dick Kniss, and released in 1973.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Sunshine on My Shoulders Chords – Ukulele

John Denver’s gentle, reflective ballad about the simple joy of sunshine and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s peaceful mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Verse 2

G C

Sunshine almost all the time makes me high

G D

Sunshine almost always…

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Bridge

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

C G

If I had a tale that I could tell you

C G

I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile

C G

If I had a wish that I could wish for you

C D

I’d make a wish for sunshine all the while

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (G, C, D). Practice switching between G and C, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

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

Is "Sunshine on My Shoulders" 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 "Sunshine on My Shoulders" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

It was written by John Denver, Mike Taylor, Dick Kniss, and released in 1973.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Sunshine on My Shoulders Chords – Piano

John Denver’s gentle, reflective ballad about the simple joy of sunshine and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s peaceful mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Verse 2

G C

Sunshine almost all the time makes me high

G D

Sunshine almost always…

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Bridge

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

C G

If I had a tale that I could tell you

C G

I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile

C G

If I had a wish that I could wish for you

C D

I’d make a wish for sunshine all the while

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (G, C, D). Practice switching between G and C, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

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

Is "Sunshine on My Shoulders" 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 "Sunshine on My Shoulders" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

It was written by John Denver, Mike Taylor, Dick Kniss, and released in 1973.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Sunshine on My Shoulders Chords – Banjo

John Denver’s gentle, reflective ballad about the simple joy of sunshine and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s peaceful mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Verse 2

G C

Sunshine almost all the time makes me high

G D

Sunshine almost always…

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Bridge

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

C G

If I had a tale that I could tell you

C G

I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile

C G

If I had a wish that I could wish for you

C D

I’d make a wish for sunshine all the while

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (G, C, D). Practice switching between G and C, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

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

Is "Sunshine on My Shoulders" 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 "Sunshine on My Shoulders" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

It was written by John Denver, Mike Taylor, Dick Kniss, and released in 1973.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Sunshine on My Shoulders Chords – Mandolin

John Denver’s gentle, reflective ballad about the simple joy of sunshine and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s peaceful mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Verse 2

G C

Sunshine almost all the time makes me high

G D

Sunshine almost always…

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Bridge

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

C G

If I had a tale that I could tell you

C G

I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile

C G

If I had a wish that I could wish for you

C D

I’d make a wish for sunshine all the while

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (G, C, D). Practice switching between G and C, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

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

Is "Sunshine on My Shoulders" 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 "Sunshine on My Shoulders" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

It was written by John Denver, Mike Taylor, Dick Kniss, and released in 1973.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Sunshine on My Shoulders Chords – Harmonica

John Denver’s gentle, reflective ballad about the simple joy of sunshine and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out to match the song’s peaceful mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Verse 2

G C

Sunshine almost all the time makes me high

G D

Sunshine almost always…

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Bridge

G C

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

G D

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

G C

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

G D

Sunshine almost always makes me high

Chorus

C G

If I had a day that I could give you

C G

I’d give to you a day just like today

C G

If I had a song that I could sing for you

C D

I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

C G

If I had a tale that I could tell you

C G

I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile

C G

If I had a wish that I could wish for you

C D

I’d make a wish for sunshine all the while

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (G, C, D). Practice switching between G and C, as this is the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

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

Is "Sunshine on My Shoulders" 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 "Sunshine on My Shoulders" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Sunshine on My Shoulders"?

It was written by John Denver, Mike Taylor, Dick Kniss, and released in 1973.