MGMT – James Chord Progression on Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Keyboard

MGMT – James Chord Progression on Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Keyboard

ChordsAbF#mFmBbmDbFbEb

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This is the chord progression of James by MGMT on piano, guitar, ukulele and keyboard.

[Verse 1]
Ab
James
F#m
If you heed the call
Fm
And you go outside, and wander off
Ab
Then home is there
Bbm
Wherever you will make it
Db                                            Fb
You can always say, “Who’s laughing now?”

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[Verse 2]
Ab
James
F#m
If you need a friend
Fm
Come right over, Don’t even knock
Ab
And I’ll be home
Bbm
The door is always open
Db                                                 Fb
And we both can say, “Who’s laughing now?”

[Chorus]
Ab
Oh, James
Fm
My little doll
Db                                 Eb
You just go outside and you call
Bbm
Oh, James
Eb Ab
Oh, you’re never too far off

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[Bridge]
Ab F#m Fm Ab Bbm Db Eb

[Chorus]
Ab
Oh, James
Fm
My little doll
Db                                                 Eb
You just go outside and you call
Bbm
Oh, James
Eb Ab
No, you’re never too far off

[Verse 3]
F#m
If your fire’s out
Fm
There’s no need to shout
Eb
I’m always home
Ab
And walk on in
Bbm
I’ll make you tea and breakfast
Db Eb
And we both can say, “Who’s laughing now?”

[Outro]
Bbm Eb
Oh, James
Bbm Eb
Oh, James
Bbm Eb
Oh, James
Ab
No, you’re never too far off (James)
Bbm                                 Ab
No, you’re never too far off

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How to play James: key, chords and progression

James by MGMT is centred on A♭ major (four flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭). The song uses 7 chords: Ab, F#m, Fm, Bbm, Db, Fb and Eb.

The progression the song keeps returning to is Ab – F#m – Fm – Ab (I – ♭vii – vi – I in A♭ major). Learn these 4 changes first and most of the song falls into place.

Easier on guitar: put a capo on the 1st fret and play the shapes G, Fm, Em, Am, C, Eb, D (71% of the chords become easy open shapes, against 14% without a capo). It sounds exactly the same.

Chord diagrams

Ab chord on guitar (466544)
A♭A♭ C E♭
F#m chord on guitar (244222)
F♯mF♯ A C♯
Fm chord on guitar (133111)
FmF A♭ C
Bbm chord on guitar (x13321)
B♭mB♭ D♭ F
Db chord on guitar (x46664)
D♭D♭ F A♭
Fb chord on guitar (022100)
F♭F♭ A♭ C♭
Eb chord on guitar (x68886)
E♭E♭ G B♭

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

James chords: questions

What key is James in?

James by MGMT is centred on A♭ major (four flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).

What chords are in James?

James uses 7 chords: Ab, F#m, Fm, Bbm, Db, Fb, Eb.

What is the chord progression of James?

The main progression is Ab – F#m – Fm – Ab (I – ♭vii – vi – I).

Is James easy to play on guitar?

Yes, with a capo: put a capo on the 1st fret and play the shapes G, Fm, Em, Am, C, Eb, D (71% of the chords become easy open shapes, against 14% without a capo).

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