I recently returned from Hawaii where I heard this song several times and wanted to learn how to play it on guitar.
Unfortunately all the chords I found online were in the wrong key, and made it impossible for me to play along with the original Iz version. But I finally figured it out!
For anyone else running into this same problem here are the actual chords for guitar that you can use to play along with Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Iz Kamakawiwo’ole without the need for a capo.
The strumming patterns for this song is D-DU-DU (simple) or D-DUX-DU (original), where D=down, U= up, and X= a quick muted slap on the strings.
Ready to try it on Ukulele?
Once you master the guitar version, consider picking up a beginner Ukulele so you can play along exactly like Iz!
Donner makes a Concert Ukulele starter bundle with some great reviews that should be more than enough for musicians who want to dip their toes into the sweet sounds of Hawaiian beauty:
Somewhere Over the Rainbow Guitar Chords:
Intro
[C] [G] [Am] [F] x 2
[C] Oooh, [Em] oooh, [F] oooh, [C] oooh
[F] Oooh, [E7] oooh, [Am] oooh, [F] oooh
Verse
[C] Somewhere [Em] over the rainbow, [F] Way up [C] high
[ F] And the [C] dreams that you dream of, [G] Once in a lullaby [Am] [F]
Oh, [C] somewhere over [Em] the rainbow[F ] bluebirds [C] fly
[F] And the [C] dreams that you dream of [G] Dreams really do come [Am] true [F]
Chorus
[C] Someday I’ll wish upon a star [Em] Wake up where the clouds are far [Am] behind [F] me.
Where [C] trouble melts like lemon drops [Em] High above the chimney top. That’s [Am] where you’ll [F] find me
Verse
Oh, [C] somewhere [Em] over the rainbow [F] Blue birds [C] fly
[F] And the dream [C] that you dare to [G] Why, oh why can’t [Am] I [F]
Chorus
[C] Someday I’ll wish upon a star [Em], Wake up where the clouds are far [Am] behind [F] me.
Where [C] trouble melts like lemon drops [Em] High above the chimney tops. That’s [Am] where you’ll [F] find me.
Chorus
Ohh, [C] somewhere [Em] over the rainbow[F] Way up [C] high
[F] And the [C] dream that you dare to [G] Why, oh why, can’t [Am] I [F]
Outro
[C] Ooh, [Em] ooh, [F] ooh, [C] ooh
[F] Ooh, [E7] ooh, [Am] ooh, [F] ooh [C]
