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Surprises

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuning]  E   A   D   G   Be (standard)
Chords Used]
Em] 0 7 9 9 8 0
D] 10 12 12 11 10 10
A/C#] 9 x 11 9 10 x
C] 8 10 10 9 8 8
G/B] 7 x 9 7 8 x
Bb] 6 8 8 7 6 6
Bb6] 6 x 8 7 8 x
F] x 8 7 5 6 x
C/E] x 7 5 5 5 x
Dm] x 5 7 7 6 5
A7sus] 5 7 5 7 5 5
A7] 5 7 5 6 5 5
E] x 7 9 9 9 x
Am] 5 7 7 5 5 5
F#m] 2 4 4 2 2 2
Gm] 3 5 5 3 3 3
G] 3 5 5 4 3 3
D7] x 5 7 5 7 x
Eb] x 6 8 8 8 x
Cm] x 3 5 5 4 3
B7] 7 9 7 8 7 7
[Intro] 
|  Em| % | % | % |
[Verse 1]
Esus4Don't get excited, Emdon't say a word
DNobody noticed, nothing was heard
It was A/C#committed disCcreetly
It was G/Bhandled so Bbneatly
And it Fshouldn't surprC/Eise you at Dmall, you A7susknowA7  
[Verse 2]
EBreak all the records, Emburn the cassettes
I'd be Dlying if I told you that I had no regrets
There were so A/C#many mistaCkes
And what a G/Bdifference it Bbmakes
But still it Fshouldn't suC/Erprise you at Dmall, you Amknow
I Gsaid it Cshouldn't surG/Bprise you at Bb6all, you kA7now
[Bridge]
DDon't A7look Bbnow D7/F#but   Gmyou D7have Ebchanged
FYour Gmbest Gfriends CmwoulA7dn't D/F#tell B7you
[Verse 3] 
EsusNow it's apparent, Emnow it's a fact
So Dmarshal your forces for another attack
You were so A/C#young and naCive
I know it's G/Bhard to beBblieve
But now it Fshouldn't surpC/Erise you at Dmall, you Amknow
GNo it Cshouldn't surG/Bprise you at Bb6all, you A7know
[Bridge]
|  D   A7|  Bb   D7/F#|   Gm   D7|     Eb   F|
|  Gm   G|  Cm   A7|  D/F#|  B7|
[Verse 4]
Esus4What has it cost you, Emwhat have you won
The Dsins of the fathers are the sins of the sons
It was A/C#always withCin you. it will G/Balways contBbinue
But it Fshouldn't suC/Erprise you at Dmall, you Amknow
I Gsaid it Cshouldn't G/Bsurprise you at Amall, you Emknow
[Outro] 
|  Em| % | % | % |

All chords in this song (24)

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Surprises

by Billy Joel

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Esus4

A/C#

G/B

C/E

A7sus

Bb6

D7/F#

D/F#

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E A D G B

Tuning] e (standard)

Chords Used]

Em] 0 7 9 9 8 0

D] 10 12 12 11 10 10

A/C#] 9 x 11 9 10 x

C] 8 10 10 9 8 8

G/B] 7 x 9 7 8 x

Bb] 6 8 8 7 6 6

Bb6] 6 x 8 7 8 x

F] x 8 7 5 6 x

C/E] x 7 5 5 5 x

Dm] x 5 7 7 6 5

A7sus] 5 7 5 7 5 5

A7] 5 7 5 6 5 5

E] x 7 9 9 9 x

Am] 5 7 7 5 5 5

F#m] 2 4 4 2 2 2

Gm] 3 5 5 3 3 3

G] 3 5 5 4 3 3

D7] x 5 7 5 7 x

Eb] x 6 8 8 8 x

Cm] x 3 5 5 4 3

B7] 7 9 7 8 7 7

[Intro]

| | % | % | % |

[Verse 1]

Esus4 Em

Don't get excited, don't say a word

Nobody noticed, nothing was heard

A/C# C

It was committed discreetly

G/B Bb

It was handled so neatly

F C/E Dm A7sus A7

And it shouldn't surprise you at all, you know

[Verse 2]

E Em

Break all the records, burn the cassettes

I'd be lying if I told you that I had no regrets

A/C# C

There were so many mistakes

G/B Bb

And what a difference it makes

F C/E Dm Am

But still it shouldn't surprise you at all, you know

G C G/B Bb6 A7

I said it shouldn't surprise you at all, you know

[Bridge]

D A7 Bb D7/F# Gm D7 Eb

Don't look now but you have changed

F Gm G Cm A7 D/F# B7

Your best friends wouldn't tell you

[Verse 3]

Esus Em

Now it's apparent, now it's a fact

So marshal your forces for another attack

A/C# C

You were so young and naive

G/B Bb

I know it's hard to believe

F C/E Dm Am

But now it shouldn't surprise you at all, you know

G C G/B Bb6 A7

No it shouldn't surprise you at all, you know

[Bridge]

D A7 Bb D7/F# Gm D7 Eb F

| | | | |

Gm G Cm A7 D/F# B7

| | | | |

[Verse 4]

Esus4 Em

What has it cost you, what have you won

The sins of the fathers are the sins of the sons

A/C# C G/B Bb

It was always within you. it will always continue

F C/E Dm Am

But it shouldn't surprise you at all, you know

G C G/B Am Em

I said it shouldn't surprise you at all, you know

[Outro]

| | % | % | % |

About Surprises Chords by Billy Joel

Learn how to play Surprises by Billy Joel with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Surprises chords”, “Surprises guitar chords”, or “Billy Joel Surprises 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 Surprises chords and for experienced players who want accurate Surprises lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, D, G, B, Em.

FAQ — Surprises by Billy Joel

How do I play "Surprises" by Billy Joel on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Surprises" by Billy Joel on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Surprises" by Billy Joel free?

Yes. The chords for "Surprises" by Billy Joel are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Surprises" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Surprises"?

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

Is "Surprises" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Surprises" by Billy Joel with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Billy Joel below.

What key is "Surprises" in?

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