Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – Shadow People Chords on Piano & Ukulele

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – Shadow People Chords on Piano & Ukulele

Updated

ChordsFAmGAsus2Fmaj7DG/DDm7A

Key
View
[Intro]
F
F
Am
Am
Am
Am

Advertisement

[Verse 1]
Am
Shadow people,
       Am
what's in their head?
       Am
In the car next to you,
         Am
when the light turns red,
         Am
Could be thinking of love,
         Am
might be thinking of hate,
  Am
I guess it pretty much
      G            F   G
could go either way.

[Chorus]
Am                G           F F
Shadow people, in shadow land.

[Verse 2]
           Am
That one's thinking of great art,
    Am
And eloquent words,
           Am
That one's strapped on a gun,
           Am
And joined up with the herd,
           Am
That one's saving up water,
         Am
Got some food stored away,
    Am
For the war that is coming
       G            F  G
on the judgment day.

Check out Musical Tips from our BLOG

[Chorus]
Am                G
Shadow people, in shadow land.
F   F   F  F

[Interlude]
Am
Am
Am
Am  Asus2  Am
Am  Asus2  Am
Am  Asus2  Am
Am  Asus2  Am
Am  Asus2  Fmaj7
Am  Asus2  Am
Am  Asus2  Fmaj7
Am  Asus2  Am
G

Advertisement

[Instrumental]
Am
Am
Am
Am

[Bridge]
             D
And this one carries
              Am
a gun for the USA,
       D            Am
He's a 21st Century man,
         D
And he's scary as hell,
       Am
'Cause when he's afraid,
         G
He'll destroy anything
   F                F
he don't understand.

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

[Interlude]
Am
Am
Am
Am

[Verse 3]
       Am
Well I ain't on the left,
      Am
And I ain't on the right,
  Am
I ain't even sure,
        Am
I got a dog in this fight,
      Am
In my time of need,
      Am
In my time of grief,
       Am
I feel like a shadow's
        G        F  G
falling over me.

[Chorus]
Am                G            F  F
Shadow people, in shadow land.
Am                G            F  F
Shadow people, in shadow land.
Am                G            F  F
Shadow people, in shadow land.

[Instrumental]
Am   G  F
Am   G  F  F  F  F
G/D*

[Outro]
Dm7
Waiting for the sun to
   G
be straight overhead,
        Dm7          G         A
'Til we ain't got no shadow at all.

How to play Shadow People: key, chords and progression

These are the chords for Shadow People by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, and Keyboard

Shadow People by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is built around A minor (no sharps or flats), with 9 chords in all: F, Am, G, Asus2, Fmaj7, D, G/D, Dm7 and A.

Most of the song cycles through F – Am – G – F (VI – i – VII – VI in A minor). Get these 4 changes smooth and the rest comes quickly.

Beginner-friendly: on guitar almost every chord is an open shape, which makes this a good song to learn early on.

Chord diagrams

F chord on guitar (133211)
FF A C
Am chord on guitar (x02210)
AmA C E
G chord on guitar (320003)
GG B D
Asus2 chord on guitar (x02200)
Asus2A B E
Fmaj7 chord on guitar (xx3210)
Fmaj7F A C E
D chord on guitar (xx0232)
DD F♯ A
Dm7 chord on guitar (xx0211)
Dm7D F A C
A chord on guitar (x02220)
AA C♯ E

Shadow People chords: questions

What key is Shadow People in?

Shadow People by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is centred on A minor (no sharps or flats).

What chords are in Shadow People?

Shadow People uses 9 chords: F, Am, G, Asus2, Fmaj7, D, G/D, Dm7, A.

What is the chord progression of Shadow People?

The main progression is F – Am – G – F (VI – i – VII – VI).

Is Shadow People easy to play on guitar?

Yes. Almost every chord is an open chord, so it suits beginners.

New chords in your inbox

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