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The Beatles - Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da Chords

ChordsA, E, D, F#m
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

ADesmondhasaborrowintheEmarketplace,
EMollyisasingerintheAband.
DesmondsaystoMolly,girl,IDlikeyourface
AndMollyAsaysthisassheEtakeshimbytheAhand,
AOb-La-Di,Ob-La-Da,lifegoesEonF#mbra.
ALa-lahowtheirElifegoesAon.
AOb-La-Di,Ob-La-Da,lifegoesEonF#mbra.
ALa-lahowtheirElifegoesAon.
ADesmondtakesatrollytotheEjewller’sstore.
EBuysatwentycaratgoldenAring.
TakesitbacktoMollywaitingDatthedoor.
AndasheAgivesittoherEshebeginstoAsing,
AOb-La-Di,Ob-La-Da,lifegoesEonF#mbra.
ALa-lahowtheirElifegoesAon.
AOb-La-Di,Ob-La-Da,lifegoesEonF#mbra.
ALa-lahowtheirElifegoesAon.
DInacoupleofyearstheyhavebuiltahomesweetAhome.
DWithacoupleofkidsrunningintheyard,
OfADesmondandMollyEJones.
AHappyeverafterintheEmarketplace,
EDesmondletsthechildrenlendaAhand.
MollystaysathomeanddoesherDprettyface
AndintheAeveningshestillEsingsitwiththeAband.
AOb-La-Di,Ob-La-Da,lifegoesEonF#mbra.
ALa-lahowtheirElifegoesAon.
AOb-La-Di,Ob-La-Da,lifegoesEonF#mbra.
ALa-lahowtheirElifegoesAon.
DInacoupleofyearstheyhavebuiltahomesweetAhome.
DWithacoupleofkidsrunningintheyard,
OfADesmondandMollyEJones.
AHappyeverafterintheEmarketplace,
EMollyletsthechildrenlendaAhand.
DesmondstaysathomeanddoesDhisprettyface
AndintheAeveningshe’saEsingerwiththeAband.
AOb-La-Di,Ob-La-Da,lifegoesEonF#mbra.
ALa-lahowtheirElifegoesAon.
AOb-La-Di,Ob-La-Da,lifegoesEonF#mbra.
ALa-lahowtheirElifegoesF#mon.
Andifyouwantsomefun,
TakeEOb-La-Di-Bla-Da.
AlbumThe Beatles
Year1968
KeyA
DifficultyEasy

How to play Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da on Guitar (Step-by-step)

The Beatles - Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da on guitar requires 4 chords and 4 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.

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da uses these transitions most often: A → E (26), E → A (18), and E → F#m (9). 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 A - E chord transition.

1. A → E chord transition

Here's how to move from A to E:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 26 times.

A to E

2. A → D chord transition

Switching from A to D:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

A to D

3. E → F#m chord transition

Switching from E to F#m:

  1. While playing E, lift your middle finger from A string fret 2.
  2. Lift your index finger from G string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger from D string fret 2 to A string fret 4.
  4. Place pinky on D string fret 4.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 9 times.

E to F#m

4. F#m → A chord transition

To move from F#m to A:

  1. While playing F#m, lift your pinky from D string fret 4.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger from A string fret 4 to B string fret 2.
  4. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 8 times.

F#m to A

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.

  • Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da includes 78 chord transitions, 4 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After A, the most likely next chords across Chordier are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
    • A → D: 29%
    • A → E: 12%
    After E, the most likely next chords across Chordier are A (25%), D (14%), and B (11%).
    • E → A: 25%
    • E → F#m: 9%