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Shawn James - That’s Life Ukulele Chords

ChordsG, B, C, A, Em, D
Strumming↓↑-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to F,C keys to play this song with easier chords.

GBCAGBEmAD
That’sGlife,that’swhatBallthepeoplesay
You’reEmridinghighinApril,AshotdowninMay
ButIGknowI’mgonnaBchangethatEmtune
WhenI’mAbackontop,backontopinDJune
That’sGlife,andasBfunnyasitmayseem
EmSomepeoplegettheirkicksAstompingonadream
ButGIdon’tletitBgetmeEmdown
‘CausethisAfineoldworld,itkeepsmespinningDaround
I’vebeenaGpuppet,apauper,apirate,apoet,apawnandaking
I’vebeenCupanddownandoverandoutandIknowonething
EachAtimeIfindmyselfflatonmyface
IjustDpickmyselfupandgetbackintherace
That’sGlife,oh,that’slifeandBIcan’tdenyit
ManyEmtimesIthoughtofcuttingoutbutmyAheartwon’tbuyit
AndifGIdidn’tthinkitBwasworthonesingleEmtry
Well,I’dAhopuponabigbirdandthenI’dDfly
I’vebeenaGpuppet,apauper,apirate,apoet,apawnandaking
I’vebeenCupanddownandoverandoutandIknowonething
EachAtimeIfindmyselfflatonmyface
IjustDpickmyselfupandgetbackintherace
That’sGlife,oh,andIBcan’tdenyit
ManyEmtimesIthoughtofcuttingoutbutmyAheartwon’tbuyit
AndifGthere’snothingshakingBcomethishereEmJuly
Well,I’mgonnaArollmyselfupinalittleballandDdie
That’sGlife,andasBfunnyasitmayseem
EmSomepeoplegettheirkicksAstompingonadream
ButGIdon’tletitBgetmeEmdown
‘CausethisAfineoldworld,itkeepsmespinningGaround
AlbumThe Madrid Sessions
Year2018
KeyG
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play That’s Life on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Shawn James - That’s Life on ukulele requires 6 chords and 9 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.

That’s Life uses these transitions most often: G → B (12), B → Em (11), and Em → A (11). 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 - B chord transition.

1. G → B chord transition

Here's how to move from G to B:

  1. Lift your index finger from C string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to C string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 4.

This transition appears in the section, played 12 times.

G to B

2. B → C chord transition

Switching from B to C:

  1. While playing B, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 4 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section.

B to C

3. C → A chord transition

To move from C to A:

  1. While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on C string fret 1.
  3. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 3 times.

C to A

4. A → G chord transition

Switching from A to G:

  1. Slide your index finger on C string from fret 1 to fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 7 times.

A to G

5. B → Em chord transition

Switching from B to Em:

  1. Lift your index finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 3 to E string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 4 and place it on C string fret 4.

This transition appears in the section, played 11 times.

6. Em → A chord transition

To move from Em to A:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 11 times.

7. A → D chord transition

Switching from A to D:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 7 times.

8. D → G chord transition

Switching from D to G:

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

This transition appears in the section, played 7 times.

9. G → C chord transition

To move from G to C:

  1. While playing G, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 2 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in That’s Life.

  • That’s Life includes 61 chord transitions, 9 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • That’s Life contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how That’s Life connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
    • G → B: 1%
    After A, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
    • A → D: 29%
    • A → G: 13%