Elvis Costello & The Imposters – The Boy Named If Chords Piano & Ukulele

Elvis Costello & The Imposters – The Boy Named If Chords Piano & Ukulele

Updated

ChordsCCmDGDmFA

Key
View
[Intro]
C

[Verse]
Cm
I’m a lucky so and so
a fortunate stiff
    Cm
You said you’d never knew me but
I’m the one you want to be with
Cm
If I tumble from a tightrope
or leap from a cliff
  Cm
I won’t be dashed to pieces
I’m the boy named “IF”
C
If I disappear and
I slipper from your view
       C
I just step upon a crack
and I won’t come back

[Chorus]
 D      G
Imagine me
          D      G   C
And I’ll imagine you too

Check out Musical Tips from our BLOG

[Verse 2]
Cm
In a hollow of the bed sheet
or a picture in a frame
    Cm
I’m vivid as a summer’s
day then never seen again
Cm
Who’ll pay the taxman?
who’ll place the blame?
Cm
Who’ll point into an empty
room and whisper my name?
C
If I disappear and
I slipper from your view
       C
I just step upon a crack
and I won’t come back

[Chorus 2]
 D      G
Imagine me
          D      G   C
And I’ll imagine you too

[Bridge]
Dm      G
Take my hand
      C            F
We’ll go to “Magic Lantern Land"
Dm      G
Take my hand
        A                    Dm
See the pictures they’ve projected
Dm      G
Take my hand
      C                F
We’ll fill our pockets up with sand
Dm      G
Dance in frantic passes
         A                  Dm    C
‘Til the grains all turn to glasses

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

[Verse 3]
Cm
Drums begin to navigate
the band strikes up a riff
Cm
No one will believe you
but the boy Named If
Cm
Who’ll pay your entrance fee?
who’ll leave a tip?
Cm
Who’ll say, “Listen here,
Sunshine don’t you give me no lip”
Cm
Who broke your favourite heart?
who stops and never starts?
Cm
Who kiss you stupid? it
must be something you did
Cm
Who’ll keep you satisfied
after a lover’s tiff?
Cm
It must be some other
guy no the Boy Named If
C
If I disappear and
I slipper from your view
       C
I just step upon a crack
and I won’t come back

[Chorus 3]
 D      G
Imagine me
          D      G   C
And I’ll imagine you too

[Bridge 2]
Dm      G
Take my hand
      C            F
We’ll go to “Magic Lantern Land"
Dm      G
Take my hand
        A                    Dm
See the pictures they’ve projected
Dm      G
Take my hand
      C                F
We’ll fill our pockets up with sand
Dm      G
Dance in frantic passes
         A                  Dm    C
‘Til the grains all turn to glasses

How to play The Boy Named If: key, chords and progression

These are the chords for The Boy Named If by Elvis Costello & The Imposters on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, and Keyboard

The Boy Named If by Elvis Costello & The Imposters is centred on C major (no sharps or flats). The song uses 7 chords: C, Cm, D, G, Dm, F and A.

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

Good to know: Cm and F are played as barre or movable shapes on guitar. Practise the change into them slowly; on piano and ukulele the same chords are easier.

Chord diagrams

C chord on guitar (x32010)
CC E G
Cm chord on guitar (x35543)
CmC E♭ G
D chord on guitar (xx0232)
DD F♯ A
G chord on guitar (320003)
GG B D
Dm chord on guitar (xx0231)
DmD F A
F chord on guitar (133211)
FF A C
A chord on guitar (x02220)
AA C♯ E

The Boy Named If chords: questions

What key is The Boy Named If in?

The Boy Named If by Elvis Costello & The Imposters is centred on C major (no sharps or flats).

What chords are in The Boy Named If?

The Boy Named If uses 7 chords: C, Cm, D, G, Dm, F, A.

What is the chord progression of The Boy Named If?

The main progression is Dm – G – C – F (ii – V – I – IV).

New chords in your inbox

Fresh piano, guitar and ukulele chords and playing tips, once a week. No spam, unsubscribe any time.