This is the chord progression of When Youre Small by MGMT on Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Keyboard.
[Verse 1] D
When you’re big Dmaj7
And troubles seem so far FG7
You put your belly up to the bar D
Squint your eyes Dmaj7
You can almost miss the dirt F
You tell yourself G7
It couldn’t hurt
[Chorus] AmF
But when you’re small CG
You can’t walk down the hall AmF
When you’re small CG
You’re not very big at all
AAmEbmD
[Verse 2] D
When you’re low Dmaj7
You reach a certain point FG7
Where you can’t really see the point D
You can try Dmaj7
But you can’t see eye to eye FG7
Yet when you’re low then you really know
[Chorus] AmF
When you’re high CG
It’s easier to fight AmF
When you’re high CG
You don’t have to know why
AAmEbm Ebmaj7Bmaj7 Bmaj7 Ebm Bmaj7 Ebm
[Chorus] AmF
When you’re small CG
You don’t have very far to fall AmF
When you’re small CG
You feel like you belong AmF
When you’re small CG
You can curl into a ball AmF
When you’re small CG
No you’re not very big at all
AAmEbmDm
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How to play When You’re Small: key, chords and progression
When You’re Small by MGMT is centred on G major (one sharp: F♯). The song uses 12 chords: D, Dmaj7, F, G7, Am, C, G, A, Ebm, Ebmaj7, Bmaj7 and Dm.
Most of the song cycles through Am – F – C – G (ii – ♭VII – IV – I in G major). Get these 4 changes smooth and the rest comes quickly.
Good to know: F, Ebm, Ebmaj7 and Bmaj7 are played as barre or movable shapes on guitar. Practise the change into them slowly; on piano and ukulele the same chords are easier.
