Dec292020

Paul McCartney – Birthday Chords on Piano & Ukulele

Updated January 8, 2026

KeyKeyCapo

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   [Intro]
A7   A7      D7   A7
A7   A7      D7   A7
D7   D7      D    D7
A7   A7      D7   A7
E7   E7      E    E7
A7   A7      D7   A7

   [Verse]
A7           D7   A7
You say it's your birthday
A7               D7   A7
It's my birthday too  yeah
D7            D         D7
They say it's your birthday
A7                 D7   A7
We're gonna have a good time
E7       E         E7
I'm glad it's your birthday
A7        D7     A7
Happy birthday to you

[Drums]
N.C          E      E

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   [Chorus]
E                    E7    E
Yes we're going to a party party
E                    E7    E
Yes we're going to a party party
E                    E7    E
Yes we're going to a party party

   [Bridge]
C       G                  C
I would like you to dance--Birthday
       G                  C
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance-Birthday
        G                  C
I would like you to dance--Birthday
G       C      E
Dance

   [Link]
A7   A7      D7   A7
A7   A7      D7   A7
D7   D7      D    D7
A7   A7      D7   A7
E7   E7      E    E7
A7   A7      D7   A7
A    D    G     A    D    G

Feel free to use our free Chord Shape Generator to see every chord in this song on guitar, ukulele and piano.

   [Bridge]
C       G                  C
I would like you to dance--Birthday
       G                  C
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance-Birthday
        G                  C
I would like you to dance--Birthday
G          E
Dance

   [Verse 2]
A7           D7   A7
You say it's your birthday
A7               D7   A7
It's my birthday too  yeah
D7            D         D7
They say it's your birthday
A7                 D7   A7
We're gonna have a good time
E7       E         E7
I'm glad it's your birthday
A7        D7     A7   A7  D7  A
Happy birthday to you

How to play Birthday: key, chords and progression

These are the chords for Birthday by Paul McCartney on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, and Keyboard

Birthday by Paul McCartney is built around D major (two sharps: F♯, C♯), with 8 chords in all: A7, D7, D, E7, E, C, G and A.

Listen for D7 – A7 – D7 – D (I7 – V7 – I7 – I in D major): the song comes back to it again and again. In solfa, that is doh – soh – doh – doh. Once these 4 changes are comfortable, most of the song is done.

Beginner-friendly: every chord is an open chord on guitar, so you can play it without a capo or barre chords.