Somewhere over the Rainbow Chords

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

85 BPM Key of C reggae Beginner

Chord preview

Structure

Ooh, Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high

And the dreams that you dream of

Once in a lullaby

I know somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

And the dreams that you dream of

Dreams really do come true

Someday I wish upon a star

Wake up where the clouds are far behind

Where trouble melts like lemon drops

High above the chimney carpets where

You'll find me, oh

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high

.The dreams that you dare to

Why, oh why can't I?

I, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh

Chords used8

Somewhere over the Rainbow chords in other keys

The same progression moved to whichever key suits your voice. Every chord below is the transposed chart, not a different arrangement.

Key of C Original: C Em Am F G E7 C7 Fmaj7
Key of G: G Bm Em C D B7 G7 Cmaj7
Key of D: D F#m Bm G A F#7 D7 Gmaj7
Key of A: A C#m F#m D E C#7 A7 Dmaj7
Key of E: E G#m C#m A B G#7 E7 Amaj7
Key of F: F Am Dm Bb C A7 F7 Bbmaj7

Need a key that isn't here? The chart above transposes to any of the twelve, and plays back in whichever you pick.

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About Somewhere over the Rainbow

Somewhere over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole — C major, 85 BPM, beginner. Built around C, F, Am and G. Transpose to any key right on the page. The chart moves through Intro, Verse and Chorus, using 8 chords in total — a slow and emotional reggae song, and C major is pure and versatile — works across genres.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Somewhere over the Rainbow?

Somewhere over the Rainbow was written and recorded by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

What key is Somewhere over the Rainbow in?

Somewhere over the Rainbow is in C major.

What are the chords in Somewhere over the Rainbow?

The chord chart uses 8 chords: C, Em, Am, F, G, E7, C7, Fmaj7.

How fast is Somewhere over the Rainbow?

Somewhere over the Rainbow is played at 85 BPM (beats per minute) — a slow and emotional feel.

Is Somewhere over the Rainbow easy to play?

Somewhere over the Rainbow is built around 4 main chords — 8 in total once you count the passing chords — so it's rated Beginner. Most beginners can learn it in one session.

Can I get a printable PDF of Somewhere over the Rainbow?

Yes — click PDF in the toolbar above for a printable, transposable chord chart for Somewhere over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Free, no signup needed.

Practice tools

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