Oct162026

Fontaines D.C. – Japan Chords on Piano & Ukulele

ChordsD A Em G

KeyKeyCapo

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[Intro]
D A Em G x2

[Verse 1]
          D               A           Em             G
Well, you know she is the mime, got a boyfriend in Japan
         D               A           Em                   G
And he's better than his word or, at least, that's what I heard
          D                    A          Em             G
When they fuck, she leaves her body for a while
        D                A                 Em               G
And she pays for all his shit 'til he says thanks without a smile

[Verse 2]
        D             A           Em               G
And his car is in the yard, he pretends it doesn't start
        D             A             Em                 G
But she sees into his heart and the station ain't that far
       D                  A              Em       G
On the corner, drops him, weeping like a child
        D                    A           Em              G
He says thanks for the known promises, I appreciate your style

[Chorus]
D
A           Em     G       D
  Why'd you go and make it real?
A           Em     G       D
  Why'd you go and make it real?
A           Em     G       D
  Why'd you go and make it real?
A           Em     G
  Why'd you go?

[Verse 3]
          D               A           Em             G
Well, you know she is the mime, got a boyfriend in Japan
         D               A           Em                   G
And he's better than his word or, at least, that's what I heard
          D                    A          Em             G
When they fuck, she leaves her body for a while
        D                A                 Em               G
And she pays for all his shit 'til he says thanks without a smile

[Bridge]
Em D  A
Ah-ah-ah
       G       A
What a turn to take
Em D  A
Ah-ah-ah
     G        A
How about you break? Yeah

[Chorus]
D
A           Em     G       D
  Why'd you go and make it real?
A           Em     G       D
  Why'd you go and make it real?
A           Em     G       D
  Why'd you go and make it real?
A           Em     G
  Why'd you go?

[Verse 4]
          D               A           Em             G
Well, you know she is the mime, got a boyfriend in Japan
         D               A           Em                   G
And he's better than his word or, at least, that's what I heard
          D                    A          Em             G
When they fuck, she leaves her body for a while
        D                A                 Em               G
And she pays for all his shit 'til he says thanks without a smile

How to play Japan: key, chords and progression

Japan by Fontaines D.C. is in the key of D major (two sharps: F♯, C♯). The song uses 4 chords: D, A, Em and G.

The progression the song keeps returning to is D – A – Em – G (I – V – ii – IV in D major). In solfa, that is doh – soh – reh – fah. Learn these 4 changes first and most of the song falls into place.

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