Michael Jackson - Beat It Chords

ChordsDm, C, A#

Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to E key to play this song with easier chords.

DmTheytoldhim,Don’tyouevercomearoundhere.C

Don’tDmwannaseeyourface,youbetterCdisappear

TheA#firesintheireyesandtheirwordsareCreallyclear

SoDmbeatit,justCbeatit

DmYoubetterrun,youbetterdoCwhatyoucan

Don’tDmwannaseenoblood,don’tbeamachoCman

YouA#wannabetough,betterdoCwhatyoucan

SoDmbeatit,butyouwannaCbebad

DmJustbeat(beatit),CBeatit(Beatit)

DmNoonewantstobedefeated.C

Showin’Dmhowfunkyandstrongisyourfight.C

ItDmdoesn’tmatterwho’swrongorCright.

JustDmbeatit,justCbeatit.

DmThey’reouttogetyou,betterCleavewhileyoucan

Don’tDmwannabeaboy,youwannabeamanC

YouA#wannastayalive,betterdoCwhatyoucan

SoDmbeatit,justCbeatit

DmYouhavetoshowthemthatyou’rereallynotscaredC

You’reDmplayin’withyourlife,thisain’tnotruthCordare

They’llkickA#you,thentheybeatyou,

Thenthey’lltellyouitsfairC

SoDmbeatit,butyouCwannabebad

DmJustbeat(beatit),CBeatit(Beatit)

DmNoonewantstobedefeated.C

Showin’Dmhowfunkyandstrongisyourfight.C

ItDmdoesn’tmatterwho’swrongorCright.

JustDmbeatit,justCbeatit.

ArtistMichael Jackson

AlbumThis Is It

GenresPop, Pop Rock, Rock

Year1982

KeyDm

DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Beat It on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Michael Jackson - Beat It on guitar requires 3 chords and 2 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Beat It uses these transitions most often: Dm → C (24), C → Dm (23), and A# → C (4). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with Dm - C chord transition.

1. Dm → C chord transition

Switching from Dm to C:

Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on B string fret 1.
Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 24 times.

2. C → A# chord transition

Here's how to move from C to A#:

Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 1.
Slide your middle finger on D string from fret 2 to fret 3.
Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 3.
Place pinky on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

Beat It chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Beat It.

Beat It includes 55 chord transitions, 2 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
Beat It contains 1 of the top 25 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how Beat It connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
- C → Dm: 5%
- C → A#: 0%
After Dm, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (18%), G (16%), and Am (14%).
- Dm → C: 18%