Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree chords

by Brenda Lee

Song Key: Ab Major

Key Signature: 4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)

Piano Chords: Ab, Bbm, Bbm7, Cm, Db, Eb, Eb7, Fm, Fm7, FmM7

Time Signature: 4/4 (♩)

Tempo: 140 bpm (Moderately fast)

Vocal Range: G3 - Bb4


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner

Guitar Chords in G Major: G, Am, Am7, Bm, C, D, D7, Em, Em7, EmM7

Capo: 1st fret (to play along with the video in Ab Major)

Chart Legend
Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords   O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings   R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open   X: Don't play string    B: Bass Note
G Major Am Am7 Bm Bm barre chord C Major D Major D7 Em Em7 EmMaj7
G Major-LH Am-LH Am7-LH Bm-LH Bm barre chord-LH C Major-LH D Major-LH D7-LH Em-LH Em7-LH EmMaj7-LH

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Capo on the 1st fret if playing with the video

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
              G     Em    C       D   C   Bm   Am  
Intro: 4/4 ‖  Ah  | Ah  | Ah   |  Ah  -   -    -  ‖

   G
1. Rockin' around the Christmas tree 
          D7 
   At the Christmas party hop.
   Am7       D7         Am7     D7
   Mistletoe hung where you can see; 
         Am7    D7       G
   Every couple tries to stop.

    G                                       
 2. Rockin' around the Christmas tree; 
            D7
    Let the Christmas spirit ring.
    Am7         D7        Am7     D7
    Later we'll have some pumpkin pie, 
              Am7     D7    G
    And we'll do some ca-ro-ling.

        C                          Bm
Chorus: You will get a sentimental feeling, when you hear;
        Em     EmM7      Em7 
        Voices singing; "let's be jolly
        A7                  D      A7  D   D7
        Deck the halls with boughs of  hol-ly".
       
    G
 3. Rockin' around the Christmas tree
           D7
    Have a hap-py holiday.
    Am7        D7       Am7    D7
    Ev'-ry-one danc-ing mer-ri-ly,
           Am7     D7         G
    In the new old-fash-ioned way. 

          G          D7         Am   D7   Am   D7   Am   D7   G       
Instr: ‖:   |  %  |     |  %  |    -    |    -    |    -    |    :‖

        C                          Bm
Chorus: You will get a sentimental feeling, when you hear;
        Em     EmM7      Em7 
        Voices singing; "let's be jolly
        A7                  D      A7  D   D7
        Deck the halls with boughs of  hol-ly".
       
   G                  
4. Rockin' around the Christ-mas tree, 
          D7
   Have a hap-py hol-i-day.
   Am7        D7       Am7    D7 
   Ev'-ry-one dan-cing mer-ri-ly, 
          D7  C   D7           G        Em7    C          G 
   In the new old-fash-ioned | way... |     |     | 1& 2& 3  |

Understanding Em7 and EmM7 Chords:

EmM7 can also be written as EmMaj7. The difference between Em7 and EmM7 lies in their seventh note, which gives each chord a distinct sound.

Em7 (E minor 7): This chord consists of the notes E - G - B - D. It has a minor seventh interval (D) added to the E minor triad (E - G - B), giving it a warm, bluesy, jazzy feel.

EmM7 (E minor major 7): This chord consists of the notes E - G - B - D#. It has a major seventh interval (D#) added to the E minor triad. The combination of the minor third (G) and major seventh (D#) gives it a more complex, dissonant, and haunting sound.

Song Details:

  • Composer: Johnny Marks
  • Lyricist: Johnny Marks
  • Lyrics Begin: Rockin' around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop.
  • Performing Artist: Brenda Lee
  • Single Recorded: October 19, 1958
  • Single Released: November 24, 1958 (US), December 1962 (UK)
  • Album: Merry Christmas from Brenda Lee
  • Album Released: October 19, 1964
  • Genre: Rockabilly, Christmas
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