Louis Armstrong - When You’re Smiling Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar Gmaj7 chord diagram
Guitar E7 chord diagram
Guitar Am chord diagram
Guitar Am7 chord diagram
Guitar D7 chord diagram
Guitar G7 chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar A7 chord diagram
[Opening]
When you’re [G]smiling, when you’re [Gmaj7]smiling
The [E7]whole world smiles with [Am]you
When you’re [Am]laughing, when you’re [Am7]laughing
The [D7]sun comes shining [G]through
[chorus]
But when you’re [G7]crying, you [C]bring on the rain
So stop your [A7]sighing, be [D7]happy again
Keep on [G]smiling
Cause when you’re [E7]smiling
The [Am]whole [Am7]world [D7]smiles with [G]you!
[Closing]
When you’re [G]smiling, when you’re [Gmaj7]smiling
The [E7]whole world smiles with [Am]you
When you’re [Am]laughing, when you’re [Am7]laughing
The [D7]sun comes shining [G]through
[chorus]
But when you’re [G7]crying, you [C]bring on the rain
So stop your [A7]sighing, be [D7]happy again
Keep on [G]smiling
Cause when you’re [E7]smiling
The [Am]whole [Am7]world [D7]smiles with [G]you!
How to play When You're Smiling on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Louis Armstrong - When You're Smiling on guitar requires 9 chords and 11 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.
When You're Smiling uses these transitions most often: D7 → G (6), Am → Am7 (4), and Am7 → D7 (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 G - Gmaj7 chord transition.
1. G → Gmaj7 chord transition
To move from G to Gmaj7;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to A string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
2. Gmaj7 → E7 chord transition
To move from Gmaj7 to E7;
- While playing Gmaj7, lift your ring finger from E string fret 3.
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on A string fret 2.
3. E7 → Am chord transition
To move from E7 to Am;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 1 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on G string fret 2.
4. Am → Am7 chord transition
To move from Am to Am7;
- While playing Am, lift your ring finger from G string fret 2.
- Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
5. Am7 → D7 chord transition
To move from Am7 to D7;
- Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
- Lift your middle finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on E string fret 2.
6. D7 → G chord transition
To move from D7 to G;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 2 to fret 3.
7. G → G7 chord transition
To move from G to G7;
- Keep index finger on A string fret 2.
- Keep middle finger on E string fret 3.
- Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 3 to fret 1.
8. G7 → C chord transition
To move from G7 to C;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 3.
9. C → A7 chord transition
To move from C to A7;
- While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to B string fret 2.
10. A7 → D7 chord transition
To move from A7 to D7;
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from B string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on E string fret 2.
11. G → E7 chord transition
To move from G to E7;
- While playing G, lift your ring finger from E string fret 3.
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to A string fret 2.
When You're Smiling chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in When You're Smiling.
- When You're Smiling includes 32 chord transitions, 11 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- When You're Smiling contains 1 of the top 25 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how When You're Smiling connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
- G → G7: 2%
- G → E7: 1%
After Am, the most likely next chords across Chordier are F (26%), G (21%), and C (16%).- Am → Am7: 0%