Vincent Chords

Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
G · Am · C · D · Em

Vincent Chords – Guitar

Don McLean’s classic tribute to painter Vincent van Gogh. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a gentle, arpeggiated fingerpicking pattern for a more authentic sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Paint your palette blue and grey
G Em
Look out on a summer’s day
C D G
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
 

Verse 2

 
G Em
Shadows on the hills
C G D
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
G Em
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
C D G
In colors on the snowy linen land
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Verse 3

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Bridge

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Portraits hung in empty halls
G Em
Frameless heads on nameless walls
C D G
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget
Em C
Like the strangers that you’ve met
G D
The ragged men in ragged clothes
Em C
The silver thorn of bloody rose
G D G
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Outro

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Practice tip: The chord progression G, Em, C, D is the core of this song; practice switching between these chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vincent"?

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

Is "Vincent" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Vincent" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Vincent"?

It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.

Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
G · Am · C · D · Em

Vincent Chords – Ukulele

Don McLean’s classic tribute to painter Vincent van Gogh. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a gentle, arpeggiated fingerpicking pattern for a more authentic sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Paint your palette blue and grey
G Em
Look out on a summer’s day
C D G
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
 

Verse 2

 
G Em
Shadows on the hills
C G D
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
G Em
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
C D G
In colors on the snowy linen land
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Verse 3

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Bridge

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Portraits hung in empty halls
G Em
Frameless heads on nameless walls
C D G
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget
Em C
Like the strangers that you’ve met
G D
The ragged men in ragged clothes
Em C
The silver thorn of bloody rose
G D G
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Outro

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Practice tip: The chord progression G, Em, C, D is the core of this song; practice switching between these chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vincent"?

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

Is "Vincent" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Vincent" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Vincent"?

It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.

Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
G · Am · C · D · Em

Vincent Chords – Piano

Don McLean’s classic tribute to painter Vincent van Gogh. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a gentle, arpeggiated fingerpicking pattern for a more authentic sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Paint your palette blue and grey
G Em
Look out on a summer’s day
C D G
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
 

Verse 2

 
G Em
Shadows on the hills
C G D
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
G Em
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
C D G
In colors on the snowy linen land
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Verse 3

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Bridge

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Portraits hung in empty halls
G Em
Frameless heads on nameless walls
C D G
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget
Em C
Like the strangers that you’ve met
G D
The ragged men in ragged clothes
Em C
The silver thorn of bloody rose
G D G
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Outro

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Practice tip: The chord progression G, Em, C, D is the core of this song; practice switching between these chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vincent"?

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

Is "Vincent" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Vincent" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Vincent"?

It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.

Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
G · Am · C · D · Em

Vincent Chords – Banjo

Don McLean’s classic tribute to painter Vincent van Gogh. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a gentle, arpeggiated fingerpicking pattern for a more authentic sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Paint your palette blue and grey
G Em
Look out on a summer’s day
C D G
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
 

Verse 2

 
G Em
Shadows on the hills
C G D
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
G Em
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
C D G
In colors on the snowy linen land
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Verse 3

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Bridge

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Portraits hung in empty halls
G Em
Frameless heads on nameless walls
C D G
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget
Em C
Like the strangers that you’ve met
G D
The ragged men in ragged clothes
Em C
The silver thorn of bloody rose
G D G
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Outro

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Practice tip: The chord progression G, Em, C, D is the core of this song; practice switching between these chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vincent"?

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

Is "Vincent" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Vincent" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Vincent"?

It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.

Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
G · Am · C · D · Em

Vincent Chords – Mandolin

Don McLean’s classic tribute to painter Vincent van Gogh. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a gentle, arpeggiated fingerpicking pattern for a more authentic sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Paint your palette blue and grey
G Em
Look out on a summer’s day
C D G
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
 

Verse 2

 
G Em
Shadows on the hills
C G D
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
G Em
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
C D G
In colors on the snowy linen land
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Verse 3

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Bridge

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Portraits hung in empty halls
G Em
Frameless heads on nameless walls
C D G
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget
Em C
Like the strangers that you’ve met
G D
The ragged men in ragged clothes
Em C
The silver thorn of bloody rose
G D G
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Outro

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Practice tip: The chord progression G, Em, C, D is the core of this song; practice switching between these chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vincent"?

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

Is "Vincent" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Vincent" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Vincent"?

It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.

Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
G · Am · C · D · Em

Vincent Chords – Harmonica

Don McLean’s classic tribute to painter Vincent van Gogh. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a gentle, arpeggiated fingerpicking pattern for a more authentic sound.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Paint your palette blue and grey
G Em
Look out on a summer’s day
C D G
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
 

Verse 2

 
G Em
Shadows on the hills
C G D
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
G Em
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
C D G
In colors on the snowy linen land
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Verse 3

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Bridge

 
G Em
Starry, starry night
C G D
Portraits hung in empty halls
G Em
Frameless heads on nameless walls
C D G
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget
Em C
Like the strangers that you’ve met
G D
The ragged men in ragged clothes
Em C
The silver thorn of bloody rose
G D G
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
 

Chorus

 
C G
Now I understand
Em D
What you tried to say to me
C G
How you suffered for your sanity
Em D
How you tried to set them free
C G Em
They would not listen, they did not know how
D G
Perhaps they’ll listen now
 

Outro

 
G Em
For they could not love you
C G D
But still your love was true
G Em
And when no hope was left in sight
C D
On that starry, starry night
G Em
You took your life, as lovers often do
C D
But I could have told you, Vincent
G Em
This world was never meant
C D G
For one as beautiful as you
 

Practice tip: The chord progression G, Em, C, D is the core of this song; practice switching between these chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vincent"?

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

Is "Vincent" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Vincent" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Vincent"?

It was written by Don McLean, and released in 1971.