Ben Platt – River Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

Ben Platt – River Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

ChordsGEmCDAm/GC/BAm

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This is the chords of River by Ben Platt on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
G G Em Em C C D D

[Verse 1]
Am/G                G
It’s coming on Christmas
Am/G                                 G
They’re cutting down trees
Am/G                 G
They’re putting up reindeer
Am/G                                         G
And singing songs of joy and peace
Em                                                 D
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

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[Verse 2]
Am/G         G
But it don’t snow here
Am/G                 G
It stays pretty green
Am/G                                 G
I’m gonna make a lot of money
Am/G                                 G
Then I’m gonna quit this crazy scene
Em                                           D
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

[Chorus]
C                 D
Oh, I wish I had a river so long
G         C         C/B         Am
I would teach my feet to fly
G D G
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
C G Em D
I made my baby cry

[Verse 3]
Am/G G
He tried hard to help me
Am/G G
You know, he put me at ease
Am/G G
And he loved me so naughty
Am/G G
Made me weak in the knees
Em D
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

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[Verse 4]
Am/G G
I’m so hard to handle
Am/G G
I’m selfish and I’m sad
Am/G G
Now I’ve gone and lost the best baby
Am/G G
That I ever had
Em D
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

[Chorus]
C D
Oh, I wish I had a river so long
G C C/B Am
I would teach my feet to fly
G D G
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
C G Em D
I made my baby say goodbye

[Verse 5]
Am/G G
It’s coming on Christmas
Am/G G
They’re cutting down trees
Am/G G
They’re putting up reindeer
Am/G G
And singing songs of joy and peace
Em D
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

[Outro]
D D D D D D
C C C C
Am/G Am/G Am/G Am/G Am/G Am/G Am/G

How to play River: key, chords and progression

River by Ben Platt is built around G major (one sharp: F♯), with 7 chords in all: G, Em, C, D, Am/G, C/B and Am.

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

Beginner-friendly: on guitar every chord is an open shape, which makes this a good song to learn early on.

Chord diagrams

G chord on guitar (320003)
GG B D
Em chord on guitar (022000)
EmE G B
C chord on guitar (x32010)
CC E G
D chord on guitar (xx0232)
DD F♯ A
Am chord on guitar (x02210)
AmA C E

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

River chords: questions

What key is River in?

River by Ben Platt is centred on G major (one sharp: F♯).

What chords are in River?

River uses 7 chords: G, Em, C, D, Am/G, C/B, Am.

What is the chord progression of River?

The main progression is D – Am/G – G – Am/G (V – ii – I – ii).

Is River easy to play on guitar?

Yes. Every chord is an open chord, so it suits beginners.

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