Yesterday Chords: Paul McCartney

"Yesterday" by The Beatles is the most-covered song in pop history. McCartney wrote it in 1965 and originally tuned his guitar down a whole step to play it. The chord progression is unusual for pop music: the verse moves through F-Em-A7-Dm-Bb-C-F, with mode mixture and chromatic passing that makes the song feel emotionally complex despite its short length.

The Chords

In standard tuning, no capo:

• F major (Mini-F or Fmaj7 work)
• Em
• A7
• Dm
• Bb
• C major
• Gm (used in the bridge)

If F and Bb are too much, capo on the 5th fret turns them into C and F shapes. The bridge becomes more approachable.

The Verse Progression

F-Em-A7-Dm-Bb-C-F. Seven chord changes in eight bars. The Em-A7-Dm sequence is a ii-V-i in D minor (a brief modal shift), then the Bb-C-F resolves back to F major. The harmony is sophisticated for a 2-minute pop song.

The Picking Pattern

McCartney's original arrangement is fingerpicked. Thumb plays the bass note on beat 1, fingers play the chord on beats 2 and 3. Simple thumb-pinch-pinch pattern.

Some acoustic versions strum instead. Both work.

The Bridge

The bridge moves to Em-A7-Dm-Dm-Bb-C-F. The Dm sustained for two bars is unusual and gives the bridge its melancholy feel.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the chromatic passing chords. The Bb in F major is borrowed from F minor. The Em-A7 sequence is a borrowed ii-V to D minor. These chord choices are what make the song distinctive. Substituting simpler chords loses the character.
• Tempo rushing. About 100 BPM but with breathing room. Don't speed through the chord changes.
• Wrong F shape. Mini-F or Fmaj7 work. Full barre F is unnecessary if it's giving you trouble.

FAQ: Yesterday Questions

What key is "Yesterday" in?

F major in standard tuning. McCartney's original recording is in F (he tuned down a whole step and played it as G shapes).

Should I use a capo?

If F and Bb are too hard, capo 5 turns them into C and F shapes. The song works either way.

Is "Yesterday" hard for beginners?

The chord palette is intermediate. The chord changes are unusual. The fingerpicking is approachable. Plan for a month or two of practice.

What's special about the chord progression?

It uses borrowed chords (Bb in F major) and a brief modal shift to D minor (the Em-A7-Dm sequence). The harmony is more sophisticated than most pop songs.

Did McCartney really write the song in his sleep?

Yes, according to interviews. He woke up with the melody and spent weeks asking everyone whether they recognized it before being convinced he'd written it himself.