Nat King Cole - Smile Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar C7 chord diagram
Guitar A chord diagram
Guitar Dm chord diagram
Guitar A7 chord diagram
Guitar Fm chord diagram
Guitar G chord diagram
[Opening]
[C]Smile though your heart is aching
[C7]Smile even though it’s breaking
[C]When there are [A]clouds in the [Dm]sky
You’ll get [A7]by
[verse 2]
If you [Dm]smile through your fear and sorrow
[Fm]Smile and maybe tomorrow
[C]You’ll see the [A]sun come shining [Dm]through
[G]For you
[verse 3]
[C]Light up your face with gladness
[C7]Hide every trace of sadness
[C]Although a [A]tear may be [Dm]ever so [A7]near
That’s the [Dm]time you must keep on trying
[Closing]
[Fm]Smile what’s the use of crying
[C]You’ll find that [A]life is still [Dm]worthwhile
[G]If you’ll just [C]smile
How to play Smile on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Nat King Cole - Smile on guitar requires 7 chords and 8 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.
Smile uses these transitions most often: A → Dm (4), C → A (4), and A7 → Dm (2). 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 - C7 chord transition.
1. C → C7 chord transition
To move from C to C7;
- Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
- Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.
- Place pinky on G string fret 3.
2. C → A chord transition
To move from C to A;
- 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 G string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 2.
3. A → Dm chord transition
To move from A to Dm;
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 2 to fret 3.
4. Dm → A7 chord transition
To move from Dm to A7;
- While playing Dm, lift your ring finger from B string fret 3.
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to B string fret 2.
5. Dm → Fm chord transition
To move from Dm to Fm;
- While playing Dm, lift your middle finger from G string fret 2.
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your ring finger from B string fret 3 to A string fret 3.
- Place pinky on D string fret 3.
6. Fm → C chord transition
To move from Fm to C;
- While playing Fm, 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.
- Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.
- Place middle finger on D string fret 2.
7. Dm → G chord transition
To move from Dm to G;
- Lift your index finger from E 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.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
8. G → C chord transition
To move from G 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 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
Smile chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Smile.
- Smile includes 24 chord transitions, 8 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Smile contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how 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 → C7: 2%
- C → A: 1%
After Dm, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (18%), G (16%), and Am (14%).- Dm → G: 16%
- Dm → A7: 1%