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Welcome Back

Chords

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Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

For best results, play the chords as shown
          G       A7       Dmaj7  Em*            F#m7        B7  Em7  
 -3-      -3-      -2-      -3-      -2-      -2-      -0-
 -0-      -2-      -2-      -0-      -5-      -4-      -3-
 -0-      -2-      -2-      -0-      -2-      -2-      -0-
 -0-      -2-      -0-      -2-      -2-      -4-      -2-
 -2-      -0-      -x-      -2-      -4-      -2-      -2-
 -3-      -x-      -x-      -0-      -2-      -x-      -0-
 Gm6-3-      -E0-      E/G#-0-      -A62-      Asus4-0-      Asus2-0-      Emadd9-2-
 -3-      -0-      -0-      -2-      -3-      -0-      -0-
 -3-      -1-      -4-      -2-      -2-      -2-      -0-
 -2-      -2-      -2-      -2-      -2-      -2-      -2-
 -x-      -2-      -2-      -0-      -0-      -0-      -2-
 -3-      -0-      -4-      -x-      -x-      -x-      -0-
INTRO
G    A7   Dmaj7
G    A7   Dmaj7
VERSE 1
        Em*
Welcome back
Your A7dreams were your ticket Dmaj7out
        Em*
Welcome back
To that A7same old place that you Dmaj7laughed about
Well the F#m7names have all cB7hanged since you hEm7ung around
But those Gm6dreams have remained and they've Bmturned around
EWho'd have thought they'd lead ya
E/G#(who'd have thought they'd lead ya)
Back A7here A6where we Asus4need   Asus2ya
Asus2(back here where we need ya)
         Em*                 Emadd9            Asus4  Asus2  
Yeah, we tease him a lot 'cause we got him on the spot
Welcome Dmaj7back
Welcome Gback, welcome bA7ack, welcome Dmaj7back
Welcome Gback, welcome bA7ack, welcome Dmaj7back
VERSE 2 as per VERSE ONE
Welcome back
We always could spot a friend,
Welcome back
And I smile when I think how you must have been
And I know what a scene you were learning in
Was there something that made you come back again
And what could ever lead ya
(what could ever lead ya)
Back here where we need ya
(back here where we need ya)
Yeah, we tease him a lot cause we got him on the spot
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
HARMONICA SOLO over VERSE chords
Vocals come back in at the F#m7
And I know what a scene you were learning in
Was there something that made you come back again
And what could ever lead ya
(what could ever lead ya)
Back here where we need ya
(back here where we need ya)
Yeah, we tease him a lot cause we got him on the spot
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back
Keep vamping on Dmaj7  G   A7 till the end of the song.
Yeah, we tease him a lot
Welcome back, welcome back
'Cause we got him on the spot
Welcome back, welcome back
Yeah, we tease him a lot cause we got him on the spot
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back

All chords in this song (15)

The story behind the song

This song is a warm invitation, a homecoming to a familiar place you once might have laughed about, but where dreams have endured and turned around. Originally penned by John Sebastian as the theme for the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, the song’s meaning resonated so strongly that the show itself was renamed for it. It carries a feeling of returning to what’s known and cherished, finding that some things truly do remain. At its heart, it’s a song about acceptance, growth, and the enduring power of dreams.

AI-written from these sources:Welcome Back (John Sebastian song) — Wikipedia ↗John Sebastian — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Welcome Back

Welcome Back

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Chord Book

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Welcome Back

by John Sebastian

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dmaj7

F#m7

Em7

Gm6

E/G#

Asus4

Asus2

Emadd9

For best results, play the chords as shown

G A7 Dmaj7 Em F#m7 B7 Em7

-3- -3- -2- -3- -2- -2- -0-

-0- -2- -2- -0- -5- -4- -3-

-0- -2- -2- -0- -2- -2- -0-

-0- -2- -0- -2- -2- -4- -2-

-2- -0- -x- -2- -4- -2- -2-

-3- -x- -x- -0- -2- -x- -0-

Gm6 E E/G# A6 Asus4 Asus2 Emadd9

-3- -0- -0- -2- -0- -0- -2-

-3- -0- -0- -2- -3- -0- -0-

-3- -1- -4- -2- -2- -2- -0-

-2- -2- -2- -2- -2- -2- -2-

-x- -2- -2- -0- -0- -0- -2-

-3- -0- -4- -x- -x- -x- -0-

INTRO

G A7 Dmaj7

VERSE 1

Welcome back

A7 Dmaj7

Your dreams were your ticket out

Welcome back

A7 Dmaj7

To that same old place that you laughed about

F#m7 B7 Em7

Well the names have all changed since you hung around

Gm6 Bm

But those dreams have remained and they've turned around

Who'd have thought they'd lead ya

E/G#

(who'd have thought they'd lead ya)

A7 A6 Asus4 Asus2

Back here where we need ya

Asus2

(back here where we need ya)

Em Emadd9 Asus4 Asus2

Yeah, we tease him a lot 'cause we got him on the spot

Dmaj7

Welcome back

G A7 Dmaj7

Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back

G A7 Dmaj7

Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back

VERSE 2 as per VERSE ONE

Welcome back

We always could spot a friend,

Welcome back

And I smile when I think how you must have been

And I know what a scene you were learning in

Was there something that made you come back again

And what could ever lead ya

(what could ever lead ya)

Back here where we need ya

(back here where we need ya)

Yeah, we tease him a lot cause we got him on the spot

Welcome back

Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back

HARMONICA SOLO over VERSE chords

Vocals come back in at the F#m7

And I know what a scene you were learning in

Was there something that made you come back again

And what could ever lead ya

(what could ever lead ya)

Back here where we need ya

(back here where we need ya)

Yeah, we tease him a lot cause we got him on the spot

Welcome back

Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back

Welcome back, welcome back

Keep vamping on Dmaj7 G A7 till the end of the song.

Yeah, we tease him a lot

Welcome back, welcome back

'Cause we got him on the spot

Welcome back, welcome back

Yeah, we tease him a lot cause we got him on the spot

Welcome back

Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back

About Welcome Back Chords by John Sebastian

Learn how to play Welcome Back by John Sebastian with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Welcome Back chords”, “Welcome Back guitar chords”, or “John Sebastian Welcome Back chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Welcome Back chords and for experienced players who want accurate Welcome Back lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, A7, Dmaj7, Em, F#m7, B7.

FAQ — Welcome Back by John Sebastian

How do I play "Welcome Back" by John Sebastian on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Welcome Back" by John Sebastian free?

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Can I transpose "Welcome Back" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Welcome Back" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Welcome Back"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Welcome Back" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Welcome Back" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Welcome Back" by John Sebastian with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by John Sebastian below.

What key is "Welcome Back" in?

The chords for "Welcome Back" show the original chord names (including G, A7, Dmaj7, Em, F#m7, B7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.