The Who – Ball And Chain Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression

The Who – Ball And Chain Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression

ChordsEABmEm7

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This is the chords of Ball And Chain by The Who on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
E

[1st Verse]
E                  A
Down in Guantanamo
E
We still got the ball and chain
A
Down in Guantanamo
E
We still got the ball and chain
Bm                             A
That pretty piece of Cuba
E
Designed to cause men pain
Bm                                           A
Whoa, when you light up in Cuba
Em7                                  E
You won’t feel the same again

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[2nd Verse]
E                             A
Down in Guantanamo
E
Whew, still waiting for the big cigars
A
Down in Guantanamo
E
Whew, still waiting for the big cigars
Bm                             A
Been a breach of promise
E
Still guilty with no charge
Bm                                           A
There’s a smoke in the forest
E
And the tumour is getting large

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[Interlude]
A E

[3rd Verse]
E                             A
Down in Guantanamo
E
We still got the ball and chain
A
Down in Guantanamo
E
We still got the ball and chain
Bm                             A
There’s a long road to travel
E
For justice to make its claim
Bm                                           A
So let’s bring down the gavel
E
Let the prisoner say his name

[Interlude]
A

[Outro]
A
Mmm, still waiting for the big cigars
A
Still waiting
A
Still waiting for the big cigars
A
Hey, still waiting for the big cigars
A

How to play Ball And Chain: key, chords and progression

To play Ball And Chain by The Who, think in A major (three sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯). It takes 4 chords: E, A, Bm and Em7.

The backbone of the song is A – E – Bm – A (I – V – ii – I in A major). In solfa, that is doh – soh – reh – doh. Practise these 4 changes until they feel natural and you can play most of it.

Easier on guitar: put a capo on the 2nd fret and play the shapes D, G, Am, Dm7 (100% of the chords become easy open shapes, against 75% without a capo). It sounds exactly the same.

Chord diagrams

E chord on guitar (022100)
EE G♯ B
A chord on guitar (x02220)
AA C♯ E
Bm chord on guitar (x24432)
BmB D F♯
Em7 chord on guitar (020000)
Em7E G B D

Need another chord or a different shape? Feel free to use our free Chord Shape Generator.

Ball And Chain chords: questions

What key is Ball And Chain in?

Ball And Chain by The Who is in the key of A major (three sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯).

What chords are in Ball And Chain?

Ball And Chain uses 4 chords: E, A, Bm, Em7.

What is the chord progression of Ball And Chain?

The main progression is A – E – Bm – A (I – V – ii – I).

Is Ball And Chain easy to play on guitar?

Yes, with a capo: put a capo on the 2nd fret and play the shapes D, G, Am, Dm7 (100% of the chords become easy open shapes, against 75% without a capo).

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