Hello! Below you'll find my "Wish You Were Here" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Pink Floyd is near and dear to my heart. The chords themselves are very easy, and I also show you how to do the full iconic acoustic guitar riff on piano.
Enjoy!
Wish You Were Here Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Wish You Were Here:
Wish You Were Here Chords & Lyrics
[Instrumental]
| Em7 | G | Em7 | G | Em7 |
| Em7 | G | Em7 | G | Em7 |
| A7sus4 | Em7 | A7sus4 | G | G |
| Em7 | G | Em7 | G | Em7 |
| Em7 | G | Em7 | G | Em7 |
| A7sus4 | Em7 | A7sus4 | G |
[Verse 1]
C D
So, so you think you can tell
Am G
Heaven from Hell, blue skies from pain
D
Can you tell a green field
C D
So, so you think you can tell
Am G
Heaven from Hell, blue skies from pain
D
Can you tell a green field
C Am
From a cold steel rail, a smile from a veil
G
Do you think you can tell?
G
Do you think you can tell?
[Verse 2]
C* D*
Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts
Am G
Hot ashes for trees, hot air for a cool breeze,
C* D*
Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts
Am G
Hot ashes for trees, hot air for a cool breeze,
D*
Cold comfort for change
C (G/B) Am
Did you exchange a walk on part in the war
C (G/B) Am
Did you exchange a walk on part in the war
G*
For a lead role in a cage?
[Instrumental]
| Em7 | G | Em7 | G | Em7 |
| Em7 | G | Em7 | G | Em7 |
| A7sus4 | Em7 | A7sus4 | G |
[Verse 3]
C D*
How I wish, how I wish you were here
Am
We're just two lost souls
G
Swimming in a fish bowl, year after year
D
Running over the same old ground
D
Running over the same old ground
C
What have we found?
(G/B) Am G
The same old fears...wish you were here!
(G/B) Am G
The same old fears...wish you were here!
[Instrumental]
| Em7 | G | Em7 | G | Em7 |
| Em7 | G | Em7 | G | Em7 |
| A7sus4 | Em7 | A7sus4 | G | G |
(repeat and fade)
(repeat and fade)
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Wish You Were Here Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Wish You Were Here" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Wish You Were Here" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
