John Prine - Illegal Smile Chords

ChordsC, G, F

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 A,D,G keys to play this song with easier chords.

CWhenIwokeupthisGmorning,Fthingswerelookin’Cbad

FSeemliketotalCsilencewastheGonlyfriendIChad

GBowlofoatmealFtriedtostaremeCdownFandCwon

AnditwasGtwelveo’clockbeforeIFrealized

ThatIwasChavin’FnoCfun

ButGfortunatelyIChavethekeyto Fescape Greality

AndyoumayFseemetonightwithanCillegalsmile

Itdon’tGcostverymuch,butitClastsalongwhile

Won’tyouFpleasetellthemanIdidn’tCkillanyone

NoI’mGjusttryin’toFhavemesomeCfun

LastCtimeIcheckedmyGbankroll,

FItwasgettin’Cthin

FSometimesitseemsliketheCbottom

IstheGonlyplaceI’veCbeen

IGchasedarainbowFdownaone-wayCstreetFdeadCend

AndGallmyfriendsturnedFouttobe CinsuranceFsalesmen

ButGfortunatelyIChavethekeyto Fescape Greality

AndyoumayFseemetonightwithanCillegalsmile

Itdon’tGcostverymuch,butitClastsalongwhile

Won’tyouFpleasetellthemanIdidn’tCkillanyone

NoI’mGjusttryin’toFhavemesomeCfun

Well,ICsatdowninmyGclosetwithFallmy Coveralls

FTryin’toget Caway

FromalltheGearsinsidemyCwalls

IGdreamedthepoliceFheard

EverythingICthoughtFwhatCthen?

WellIGwenttocourt

AndtheFjudge’snameCwasFHoffman

ButGfortunatelyIChavethekeyto Fescape Greality

AndyoumayFseemetonightwithanCillegalsmile

Itdon’tGcostverymuch,butitClastsalongwhile

Won’tyouFpleasetellthemanIdidn’tCkillanyone

NoI’mGjusttryin’toFhavemesomeCfun

Welldone,sonofagun,hotdogbun,AttilatheHun,mysister’sanunFC

ArtistJohn Prine

AlbumJohn Prine

GenresFolk

Year1971

KeyC

DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Illegal Smile on Guitar (Step-by-step)

John Prine - Illegal Smile on guitar requires 3 chords and 3 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.

Illegal Smile uses these transitions most often: F → C (28), C → G (21), and C → F (19). 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 C - G chord transition.

1. C → G chord transition

Here's how to move from C to G:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 21 times.

2. G → F chord transition

Here's how to move from G to F:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 12 times.

3. F → C chord transition

Switching from F to C:

While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
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.
Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 28 times.

Illegal Smile chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Illegal Smile.

Illegal Smile includes 95 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
Illegal Smile contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how Illegal Smile 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 → G: 35%
- C → F: 16%
After F, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
- F → C: 40%
- F → G: 21%