Happy Birthday
View chords used in this chart
No Capo
* = Strum once
Cadd9
You love white icing
G
And you hate big parties
Cadd9 G
And your mom always calls at 12:17
Cadd9
You got real quiet
G
When I made of big deal of it
Cadd9 G
But that kiss on the forehead let me know you liked it
Em7 Dsus4
But that was a year ago
Cadd9 G
What a special day
Em7 Dsus4 Cadd9 *
Hard to believe now all I get to say is
Cadd9 G
Happy Birthday
Em7 Dsus4
Staring at my phone
Cadd9 G
Happy Birthday
Em7 Dsus4
Are you spending it alone?
Cadd9 G
Are you with someone, someone I used to be?
Em7 Dsus4
Are you getting drunk, drunk at a party?
Cadd9 G
Maybe you’re missing me
Em7 Dsus4
I hope you’re happy
Cadd9 G Em7 Dsus4
Happy Birthday, oh
Cadd9 G Em7 Dsus4 *
Happy Birthday, oh
Cadd9
I loved that t-shirt
G
I hated that you had to work
Cadd9 G
I burnt the cake and we both acted like we didn’t know
Cadd9
It was comfortable (comfortable)
G
We kept it low key (low key)
Cadd9 G
Just a simple celebration, you and me
Em7 Dsus4
But that was a year ago
Cadd9 G
What a special day
Em7 Dsus4 Cadd9 *
Hard to believe now all I get to say is
Cadd9 G
Happy Birthday
Em7 Dsus4
Staring at my phone
Cadd9 G
Happy Birthday
Em7 Dsus4
Are you spending it alone?
Cadd9 G
Are you with someone, someone I used to be?
Em7 Dsus4
Are you getting drunk, drunk at a party?
Cadd9 G
Maybe you’re missing me
Em7 Dsus4
I hope you’re happy
Cadd9 G Em7 Dsus4
Happy Birthday, oh
Cadd9 G Em7 Dsus4 *
Happy Birthday, oh
Cadd9 G
Happy Birthday to you
Em7 Dsus4
(Happy birthday to you)
Cadd9 G
Happy Birthday to you
Em7 Dsus4
(Happy birthday to you)
Cadd9 G Em7 * Dsus4 *
You know I’m missing you…
Cadd9 G
Happy Birthday
Em7 Dsus4
Staring at my phone
Cadd9 G
Happy Birthday
Em7 Dsus4
Are you spending it alone?
Cadd9 G
Are you with someone, someone I used to be?
Em7 Dsus4
Are you getting drunk, drunk at a party?
Cadd9 G
Maybe you’re missing me
Em7 Dsus4
I hope you’re happy
Cadd9 G Em7 Dsus4
Happy Birthday, oh
Cadd9 G Em7 Dsus4 *
Happy Birthday, oh
Cadd9 G
Happy birthday
(Are you with someone, that I used to be?)
Em7 Dsus4
Oh
(Are you getting drunk, drunk at a party?)
Cadd9 G Em7 Dsus4 *
Happy birthday, oh
How to play Happy Birthday
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Cadd9. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.