Mar262019

Andrew Bird – Cracking Codes Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

Andrew Bird

Updated January 9, 2026

ChordsC G D Am B7 D#Em G7 A7

KeyKeyCapo

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This is the chord progression of Cracking Codes by Andrew Bird on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
C G x2

[Verse 1]
G D
You just have to look into my eyes
Am
You don’t need a secret code
D
No need to play at being spies
G D
And though I may speak to you in tongues
Am
We don’t need Rosetta Stone
D
To know how this song is sung
C G
And that what I say is true
C G
Yeah, it’s true
B7 C D
True, oh, yeah

[Solo]
G D Am D x2

[Verse 2]
G D
And I know that what I say just sounds absurd
Am
But you can read between the lines
D
And you can savor every word
G D
There’ll be times when you are stammering through tears
Am
So long they’re not from crocodiles
D
It will be music to my ears, to your ears, to my ears
C G
Because what you say is true
G
Yeah, it’s true

[Outro]
B7 C D
D# Em G7
C A7 D
G C
‘Cause what I say is

How to play Cracking Codes: key, chords and progression

Cracking Codes by Andrew Bird is in the key of G major (one sharp: F♯). The song uses 9 chords: C, G, D, Am, B7, D#, Em, G7 and A7.

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

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