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Hey Ya

Chords

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Obadiah does a very simple rhythm to this version and it's not very hard to follow along.
That being said he does the "Shake it up" part a different amount of times in the versions
I've found. So do as many as you'd like! And at the end of the song just fade out with soft strumming.
[Verse 1]
MCy baby don't Fmess around
Because she loves me so
And Gthis I know for Amsure
BCut does she rFeally wanna
But can't stand to see me
Walk Gout the Amdoor
I Ccan't stand to Ffight the feeling
Because the thought alone is killing Gme right Amnow
But Cthank God for FMom and Dad
For sticking two together
Cause wGe don't know Amhow
[Chorus]
And Chey Fya
GHey Amya
CHey Fya
GHey Amya
[Verse 2]
CYou think you've got it
FOh, you think you've got it
But got it just don't get it
'Til there's Gnothing at Amall
CWe get together
FOh, we get together
But separate's always better when Gthere's feelings Aminvolved
CIf what they say is "FNothing is forever."
Oh, Gthen what makes, Amthen what makes, then what makes
Then what makes, what makes love the exception?
CSo why oh, why oh
FWhy oh, why oh, why oh, are we so in denial
GWhen we know we're not hAmappy here
[Chorus]
And, Chey Fya
GHey Amya
And, Chey Fya
GHey Amya
And, Chey Fya
GHey Amya
And, Chey Fya
GHey Amya
[Verse 3]
Alright now CfellasF  
You know whGat's cooler Amthan bein' cool?
I cCan't hear nobodyF  
I say what's Gcooler tAmhan bein' cool?
And Calright, alright, Falright, alright
Alright, alriGght, alright, aAmlright
Alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, Calright now ladiesF  
I say wGe gonna breaAmk it down in just a few seconds heCre
Don't Fmake me break it down for nothing
GI wanna sAmee y'all on y'all's baddest behavioCrF  
GLend me Amsome sugar!
I am your neighbor
[Interlude]
CShake it, shake, shake it
FShake, shake, uh shake itF  
Shake, shake, uh shake it
ShaGke it shake itAm  
Shake shake, Amshake shake it
Like a Polaroid picture
COh now, shake it up
FOh now, but shake it up
I said shake it up
SGhake it up, bAmut oh now just shake it up
[Chorus]
And, Chey Fya
GHey Amya
And, Chey Fya
CHey Fya, oh no
GHey Amya
CHey Fya
GHey Amya, oh
Oh, Chey Fya
And, Chey Fya
And, Ghey Amya

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

Obadiah Parker is the stage name of Mat Weddle, a singer-songwriter known for his acoustic covers. His version of "Hey Ya" gained wide attention for its stripped-down, soulful take on the original, transforming the upbeat track into a mellow, reflective song. It captures the feeling of a simple, heartfelt plea, sung to someone who might be playing games, but also expresses a deep affection for a baby who "don't mess around." This rendition invites a quiet introspection, making the familiar chorus feel like a tender, personal moment.

AI-written from these sources:Obadiah Parker — Wikipedia ↗

Story time

Hey Ya

Hey Ya

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Hey Ya

by Obadiah Parker

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Obadiah does a very simple rhythm to this version and it's not very hard to follow along.

That being said he does the "Shake it up" part a different amount of times in the versions

I've found. So do as many as you'd like! And at the end of the song just fade out with soft strumming.

[Verse 1]

C F

My baby don't mess around

Because she loves me so

G Am

And this I know for sure

C F

But does she really wanna

But can't stand to see me

G Am

Walk out the door

C F

I can't stand to fight the feeling

G Am

Because the thought alone is killing me right now

C F

But thank God for Mom and Dad

For sticking two together

G Am

Cause we don't know how

[Chorus]

C F

And hey ya

G Am

Hey ya

C F

Hey ya

G Am

Hey ya

[Verse 2]

You think you've got it

Oh, you think you've got it

But got it just don't get it

G Am

'Til there's nothing at all

We get together

Oh, we get together

G Am

But separate's always better when there's feelings involved

C F

If what they say is "Nothing is forever."

G Am

Oh, then what makes, then what makes, then what makes

Then what makes, what makes love the exception?

So why oh, why oh

Why oh, why oh, why oh, are we so in denial

G Am

When we know we're not happy here

[Chorus]

C F

And, hey ya

G Am

Hey ya

C F

And, hey ya

G Am

Hey ya

C F

And, hey ya

G Am

Hey ya

C F

And, hey ya

G Am

Hey ya

[Verse 3]

C F

Alright now fellas

G Am

You know what's cooler than bein' cool?

C F

I can't hear nobody

G Am

I say what's cooler than bein' cool?

C F

And alright, alright, alright, alright

G Am

Alright, alright, alright, alright

C F

Alright, alright now ladies

G Am C

I say we gonna break it down in just a few seconds here

Don't make me break it down for nothing

G Am C F

I wanna see y'all on y'all's baddest behavior

G Am

Lend me some sugar!

I am your neighbor

[Interlude]

Shake it, shake, shake it

F F

Shake, shake, uh shake it

G Am

Shake it shake it

Shake shake, shake shake it

Like a Polaroid picture

Oh now, shake it up

Oh now, but shake it up

I said shake it up

G Am

Shake it up, but oh now just shake it up

[Chorus]

C F

And, hey ya

G Am

Hey ya

C F

And, hey ya

C F

Hey ya, oh no

G Am

Hey ya

C F

Hey ya

G Am

Hey ya, oh

C F

Oh, hey ya

C F

And, hey ya

G Am

And, hey ya

About Hey Ya Chords by Obadiah Parker

Learn how to play Hey Ya by Obadiah Parker with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Hey Ya chords”, “Hey Ya guitar chords”, or “Obadiah Parker Hey Ya 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 Hey Ya chords and for experienced players who want accurate Hey Ya lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, G, Am.

FAQ — Hey Ya by Obadiah Parker

How do I play "Hey Ya" by Obadiah Parker on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Hey Ya" by Obadiah Parker free?

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Can I transpose "Hey Ya" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Hey Ya"?

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

Is "Hey Ya" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Hey Ya" by Obadiah Parker with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Obadiah Parker below.

What key is "Hey Ya" in?

The chords for "Hey Ya" show the original chord names (including C, F, G, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.