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Oh Shangri La

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

This song is in the key of D. The four main chords are D, G, A and Em. There is also a Gm.
     D: 232002
     Em: 000220 (030220 = Em7)
     G: 330023 (x30023 = alternate emphasis)
     A: 022200
     Gm: 333553
The Em v. Em7 is a tough one to call. If you listen to the background vocals, they 
clearly descend
to note G (the “3” in the Em7 chord above), but I believe Jon is simply playing an Em 
and letting
the vocals create the dissonance. You can play it either way if you’re singing; play Em7 
if you’re not.
Unfortunately I don’t know most of the lyrics. But the verses play out in the following 
way rhythmically:
(following an intro, which is simply an A chord:)
      D   D   Em   A(repeat)
For help, I’ll write the chords over one of the lyrics I do know.
     DThis jukebox won’t play no EmSinatra
     It just cAurses all night Dlong
     DThere’s no easy spoken Emmantra
     Put me Aback where I Dbelong
Then, the “chorus” is played like this: (all single strum once first Gm is played)
     (DOh Shangri La, why can’t I Emfind you
     and your Afaded promiseDs)
     GmI’ve seen it in your Deyes
     GmA wanted man’s disgDuise, and a Amillion bad Ghighs
     The Gmlights had all gone Dred, the Gm4 am dDread
     Gm             D             A             G
     AThen yDou make sense like the star that you are, oh Shangri La
Then back to the verse ( D   D   Em  A), then chorus once 
more ( Gm  D). Following the second chorus:
        D     Em      G         A(D)
                Oh Shangri La
     D   Em   G    A       D  Em
   G     A            DOh Shangri Laaaaaaaaaaaaa
Then finally, there’s the intro to the last minute and a half:
     |------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
     |----10----------12-------14-------15-----------17---------19--19---17-----20--|
     |-------------------------------------------------------------------18-----18--|
     |-/11------11/12----12/14----14/16--------16/17------17/19----------17-----17--|
     |------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
     |------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
     DOhhhhhhhhhhh EmOhhhhh AOhohhhhhhDhh
          etc.

All chords in this song (6)

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Oh Shangri La

by Jon Fratelli

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em7

This song is in the key of D. The four main chords are D, G, A and Em. There is also a Gm.

: 232002

Em Em7

: 000220 (030220 = )

G: 330023 (x30023 = alternate emphasis)

: 022200

: 333553

The Em v. Em7 is a tough one to call. If you listen to the background vocals, they

clearly descend

to note G (the “3” in the Em7 chord above), but I believe Jon is simply playing an Em

and letting

the vocals create the dissonance. You can play it either way if you’re singing; play Em7

if you’re not.

Unfortunately I don’t know most of the lyrics. But the verses play out in the following

way rhythmically:

(following an intro, which is simply an A chord:)

D D Em A

(repeat)

For help, I’ll write the chords over one of the lyrics I do know.

D Em

This jukebox won’t play no Sinatra

A D

It just curses all night long

D Em

There’s no easy spoken mantra

A D

Put me back where I belong

Then, the “chorus” is played like this: (all single strum once first Gm is played)

D Em

(Oh Shangri La, why can’t I find you

A D

and your faded promises)

Gm D

I’ve seen it in your eyes

Gm D A G

A wanted man’s disguise, and a million bad highs

Gm D Gm D

The lights had all gone red, the 4 am dread

Gm D A G

A D

Then you make sense like the star that you are, oh Shangri La

D D Em A

Then back to the verse ( ), then chorus once

Gm D

more ( ). Following the second chorus:

D Em G A D

()

Oh Shangri La

D Em G A D Em

G A D

Oh Shangri Laaaaaaaaaaaaa

Then finally, there’s the intro to the last minute and a half:

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

|----10----------12-------14-------15-----------17---------19--19---17-----20--|

|-------------------------------------------------------------------18-----18--|

|-/11------11/12----12/14----14/16--------16/17------17/19----------17-----17--|

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

D Em A D

Ohhhhhhhhhhh Ohhhhh Ohohhhhhhhh

etc.

About Oh Shangri La Chords by Jon Fratelli

Learn how to play Oh Shangri La by Jon Fratelli with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Oh Shangri La chords”, “Oh Shangri La guitar chords”, or “Jon Fratelli Oh Shangri La 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 Oh Shangri La chords and for experienced players who want accurate Oh Shangri La lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A, Em, Gm, Em7.

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What key is "Oh Shangri La" in?

The chords for "Oh Shangri La" show the original chord names (including D, G, A, Em, Gm, Em7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.