“Carolina in My Mind” by James Taylor is a song that resonates with guitar players around the world. Its gentle melody and evocative lyrics make it a favorite for both listening and playing. If you’re looking to learn this timeless track on your guitar, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will provide you with the guitar chords for “Carolina in My Mind”, making it easy for you to start playing this beautiful song.
Standard Guitar Chords for Carolina On My Mind
Here are the standard guitar chords for “Carolina On My Mind”, presented in an easy-to-follow format that mirrors the song’s structure. This layout will help you learn the chord progression and play along with the song seamlessly.
INTRO: |D D D/F# G| |Em A7|
CHORUS: |D G G/F#| |Em A7| In my mind I’ve gone to Carolina |G A7|. |Em7 Can’t you see the sunshine? Can’t you just feel the A7| |D Bm| moonshining? Ain’t it just like a friend of mine to |G D/F# Em7| hit me from behind |D Em7| D I’ve gone to Carolina in my mind.
VERSE: |D Cadd9| Karen, she’s a silver sun you’d best |G G/F# Em| walk her way and watch it shining. |Bm G| A watch her watch the morning come. |G D/F#| | E A7| A silver tear appearing now, I’m cry – ing ain’t I? |D Em7| D I’ve gone to Carolina in my mind.
VERSE: |D Cadd9| There ain’t no doubt in no ones mind that |G G/F# Em| loves the finest thing around. |Bm G| A —Whisper something soft and kind. |G D/F#| |E A7| And hey babe, the skies on fire, I’m dying ain’t I? |D Em7| D I’ve gone to Carolina in my mind.
CHORUS: |D G G/F#| |Em A7| In my mind I’ve gone to Carolina |G A7|. |Em7 Can’t you see the sunshine? Can’t you just feel the A7| |D Bm| moonshining? Ain’t it just like a friend of mine to |G D/F# Em7| hit me from behind |D Em7| D I’ve gone to Carolina in my mind.
VERSE: |D Cadd9| Dark and silent, late last night I think I |G G/F# Em| might have heard the highway calling |Bm G| A — geese in flight and dogs that bite. |G D/F#| |E And signs that might be omens say I’m go – ing, A7| I’m going, |D Em7| D I‘ve gone to Carolina in my mind.
BRIDGE: |G A7| Bm With a holy host of others standing round me |F#m7 Em7| | G A7| Still I’m on the dark side of the moon. | Cadd9 G/B| D And it seems like it goes on like this forever. |Cadd9 G/B| |Em7 You must forgive me A7| |D Em7| D if I’m up and gone to Carolina in my mind.
CHORUS: |D G G/F#| |Em A7| In my mind I’ve gone to Carolina |G A7|. |Em7 Can’t you see the sunshine? Can’t you just feel the A7| |D Bm| moonshining? Ain’t it just like a friend of mine to |G D/F# Em7| hit me from behind |D Em7| D |G G/F# Em7 | I’ve gone to Carolina in my mind. |D Em7| D |G G/F# Em7 | I’ve gone to Carolina in my mind. |D Em7| D |G G/F# Em7 | I’ve gone to Carolina in my mind.
Tips for Playing ‘Carolina On My Mind’ on Guitar
To truly capture the essence of “Carolina In My Mind” on guitar, consider these helpful playing tips:
- Gentle Strumming Pattern: This song thrives on a relaxed and smooth strumming style. Experiment with patterns like down-down-up-down-up, focusing on maintaining a gentle rhythm throughout the song. Avoid harsh or aggressive strumming to match the song’s mellow vibe.
- Smooth Chord Transitions: Pay close attention to transitions between chords, especially common changes like D to Cadd9 and G to G/F#. Practice these transitions slowly at first, aiming for fluid and seamless movement between chords. Clean chord changes are crucial for the song’s flowing feel.
- Explore Fingerpicking: While strumming is perfectly suitable, “Carolina In My Mind” sounds exceptionally beautiful when fingerpicked. Once you are comfortable with the chord shapes and changes, try exploring fingerpicking patterns. This technique can add depth and nuance to your rendition, echoing the original recording’s delicate texture.
Conclusion: Start Playing Carolina On My Mind Today
Learning “Carolina On My Mind” guitar chords is a fantastic addition to any guitarist’s skills. Its iconic melody, combined with a relatively straightforward chord progression, makes it accessible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced guitarist, “Carolina On My Mind” is a rewarding song to learn and play. So, pick up your guitar, familiarize yourself with these chords, and begin your musical journey with this timeless classic today!
