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What You Thought You Need

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What You Thought You Need – Jack Johnson
     Cx32010
 Cadd9x30010
Dm*   x57765
Em*   x79987
Listen to the song and you notice that he does a quick change between C and Cadd9 then 
to C.  I added it below in a few places - stodman
[Verse 1]
CI can't give you everything you Cadd9wantC  
                                         C  Dm*
But I could give you what you thought you need.
Dm*                                                                     C  
A map to keep beneath your seat, you'll read to me in time I'll get you there
Dm*                                                                 C  
I fold it up so we don't find our way back soon, nobody knows we're here.
CWe can park the van and walk to Cadd9townC  
                                          C  Dm*
Find cheapest bottle of wine that we could find
And talk about the road behind how getting lost is not a waste of Ctime.
Dm*
Le Bois d'Amour will take us home in the moment we will sing as the forest sleeps.
[Chorus]
          Em*         Dm*                   C  
Well it's all for the sake of arriving with you
          Em*            Dm*                   C  
Well it's all .. for the sake of arriving with you
[Verse 2]
Well CI will make the table into a Cadd9bedC  
                                      C  Dm*
The candle is burning down its time to rest.
Dm*                                                                      C  
I can't take back things already gone, but I could give you promises for keeps.
Dm*                                                                         C  
And I would only take them back if they become your own and you give 'em to me .
[Chorus]
         Em*         Dm*                   C  
And it's all for the sake of arriving with you.
          Em*         Dm*                   C  
Well it's all for the sake of arriving with you.
[Bridge]
Dm*
We could make this into anything
Dm*                                        C  
We could make this into more than words we speak.
Dm*
This could make us into anything
Dm*                                         C  
It could make us grow and become what we'll be.
[Outro]
CMmmmmm ..  How and we will know
                  Dm*                        C  
It's just like it feels... It’s just like it feels
CMmmmmm ...  How can we really know
                  Dm*                        C  
It's just like it feels... It’s just like it feels
                  Dm*                  C  
It's just like it feels... How does it feel
                  Dm*                        C  
It's just like it feels... It’s just like it feels
            Dm*                        C  
How does it feel... It’s just like it feels
            Dm*
How does it feel...

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

This song comes from Jack Johnson, an American singer-songwriter known for blending pop, rock, acoustic, folk, and surf rock styles. Hailing from Hawaii, Johnson is also deeply involved in environmentalism and sustainability, particularly concerning the world's oceans. His work often carries a laid-back, reflective quality, inviting listeners to consider what truly matters. Playing this song, you might feel a gentle questioning of desires and priorities, much like a quiet conversation on a Hawaiian shore.

AI-written from these sources:Jack Johnson (musician) — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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What You Thought You Need

by Jack Johnson

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Cadd9

What You Thought You Need – Jack Johnson

x32010

Cadd9

x30010

* x57765

* x79987

Listen to the song and you notice that he does a quick change between C and Cadd9 then

to C. I added it below in a few places - stodman

[Verse 1]

C Cadd9 C

I can't give you everything you want

C Dm

But I could give you what you thought you need.

Dm C

A map to keep beneath your seat, you'll read to me in time I'll get you there

Dm C

I fold it up so we don't find our way back soon, nobody knows we're here.

C Cadd9 C

We can park the van and walk to town

C Dm

Find cheapest bottle of wine that we could find

And talk about the road behind how getting lost is not a waste of time.

Le Bois d'Amour will take us home in the moment we will sing as the forest sleeps.

[Chorus]

Em Dm C

* *

Well it's all for the sake of arriving with you

Em Dm C

* *

Well it's all .. for the sake of arriving with you

[Verse 2]

C Cadd9 C

Well I will make the table into a bed

C Dm

The candle is burning down its time to rest.

Dm C

I can't take back things already gone, but I could give you promises for keeps.

Dm C

And I would only take them back if they become your own and you give 'em to me .

[Chorus]

Em Dm C

* *

And it's all for the sake of arriving with you.

Em Dm C

* *

Well it's all for the sake of arriving with you.

[Bridge]

We could make this into anything

Dm C

We could make this into more than words we speak.

This could make us into anything

Dm C

It could make us grow and become what we'll be.

[Outro]

Mmmmmm .. How and we will know

Dm C

It's just like it feels... It’s just like it feels

Mmmmmm ... How can we really know

Dm C

It's just like it feels... It’s just like it feels

Dm C

It's just like it feels... How does it feel

Dm C

It's just like it feels... It’s just like it feels

Dm C

How does it feel... It’s just like it feels

How does it feel...

About What You Thought You Need Chords by Jack Johnson

Learn how to play What You Thought You Need by Jack Johnson with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “What You Thought You Need chords”, “What You Thought You Need guitar chords”, or “Jack Johnson What You Thought You Need 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 What You Thought You Need chords and for experienced players who want accurate What You Thought You Need lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Cadd9, Dm, Em, A.

FAQ — What You Thought You Need by Jack Johnson

How do I play "What You Thought You Need" by Jack Johnson on guitar?

Open the free chords for "What You Thought You Need" by Jack Johnson 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 "What You Thought You Need" by Jack Johnson free?

Yes. The chords for "What You Thought You Need" by Jack Johnson are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "What You Thought You Need" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "What You Thought You Need"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "What You Thought You Need" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "What You Thought You Need" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "What You Thought You Need" by Jack Johnson with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Jack Johnson below.

What key is "What You Thought You Need" in?

The chords for "What You Thought You Need" show the original chord names (including C, Cadd9, Dm, Em, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.