May122019

Sara Bareilles – Shiny Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

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This is the chord progression of Shiny by Sara Bareilles on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
D Bm G A

[Verse 1]
D
She has her back to me at the kitchen sink
Bm
I’m trying to read her mind, wondering
G A
What she doesn’t say to anybody
D
The laundry’s folded, beds are made
Bm
It’s like this every single day
G A
It’s memorized, but a thin disguise

[Chorus]
Em A
I see what she can’t see
D Bm
Her light only ever landed on me
Em
But there’s a glimmer in her brown eyes
A
The ones she gave to me
C A
So I know we can both be shiny

[Instrumental]
D Bm G A

[Verse 2]
D
She calls on Sundays, checking in
Bm
We talk about the weather again
G A
It never changes, she wonders where the rain is
D
Once in a while I catch a glimpse
Bm
Of the truest things that she keeps hidden
G A
Her secret heart, that’s my favorite part

[Chorus]
Em A
I see what she can’t see
D Bm
Her light only ever landing on me
Em
But there’s a glimmer in her brown eyes
A
The ones she gave to me
C A Em A D G
So I know we can both be shiny, shiny
Em A
All that glitters isn’t gold, but gold is all I see
C A D
So I know we can both be shiny

How to play Shiny: key, chords and progression

Shiny by Sara Bareilles sits in D major (two sharps: F♯, C♯), and you need 6 chords to play it: D, Bm, G, A, Em and C.

Listen for D – Bm – G – A (I – vi – IV – V in D major), the classic 1950s “doo-wop” progression: the song comes back to it again and again. In solfa, that is doh – lah – fah – soh. Once these 4 changes are comfortable, most of the song is done.

Beginner-friendly: almost every chord here is an open shape on guitar: no capo, no barre chords needed.