It’s been cool to see how pop music has been drawing attention to the ukulele over the past few years. One such song is Train’s single Hey, Soul Sister off their “Save Me, San Francisco” album. Today, we’ll be looking at the chords for this song (scroll down a bit more for the chords).
Chords Used in “Hey, Soul Sister”
As a four chord song, there aren’t going to be a lot of chords to learn, however, the song is played in the key of E, which means you’ll have to incorporate some bar chords. Here are the chords you will need to know:
E major
B major
C#m
A major
“Hey, Soul Sister” Video
In this video, Train performs Hey, Soul Sister with just the ukulele.
Hey, Soul Sister Chords by Train
E B C#m A
Heeey, heeeey, heeeey!
- E
Your lipstick stains
B C#m A
On the front lobe of my left side brains
- E
I knew I wouldn't forget you,
- B C#m A B
And so I went and let you blow my mind
- E
Your sweet moonbeam,
B C#m A
The smell of you in every single dream I dream
- E
I knew when we collided,
- B
You're the one I have decided
- C#m A B
Who's one of my kind
A
Hey soul sister
B E B A
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo
- B E B
The way you move ain't fair you know
A
Hey soul sister
B E B A B
I don't want to miss a single thing you do...
- E
Tonight
- B C#m A
Heeey, Heeeeey heeeey!
E
Just in time,
B C#m A
I'm so glad you have a one track mind like me
- E
You gave my life direction
- B C#m A B
A game show love connection, we can't deny
- E
I'm so obsessed
B C#m A
My heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest
- E B
I believe in you, "Like a Virgin," you're Madonna,
- C#m A B
And I'm always gonna want to blow your mind
A
Hey soul sister
B E B A
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo
- B E B
The way you move ain't fair you know
A
Hey soul sister
B E B A B
I don't want to miss a single thing you do...
- E
Tonight
- B C#m A
Heeey, Heeeeey heeeey!
- E
The way you can cut a rug,
B C#m
Watching you's the only drug I need
- (C#m cont'd)
You're so gangsta, I'm so thug,
- A
You're the only one I'm dreaming of
- E B
You see, I can be myself now finally,
- C#m
In fact there's nothing I can't be
- B A B
I want the world to see you'll be with me
A
Hey soul sister
B E B A
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo
- B E B
The way you move ain't fair you know
A
Hey soul sister
B E B A B
I don't want to miss a single thing you do tonight
A
Hey soul sister
B E B A B
I don't want to miss a single thing you do...
- E
Tonight
- B C#m A
Heeey, Heeeeey heeeey!
- E
Tonight
- B C#m A
Heeey, Heeeeey heeeey!
- E
Tonight
Hey man!
First thanks for your website, it’s pretty awesome and it helps me a lot! I’m a beginner at ukulele, and your videos, tricks and chords library are perfect for me.
However I’ve got a small problem with this song: what is the strumming pattern? Thanks!
Keep up the good work
Thanks, Thomas! I’m glad you like Ukulele Tricks! I want to eventually create a video explaining the strumming pattern for this song. I would say though it’s most comparable to the strumming pattern for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” which I explained and taught here. It’s very similar. The tempo’s might be slightly different and the chords will be different. Let me know if that helps you out!
Oh great! I’m actually also learning Somewhere over the rainbow. But I do guess it’s the same strumming pattern, but without picking the G chord before strumming?
I still pluck the top string for Hey Soul Sister with my thumb for some of the chord changes, but you could probably substitute the thumb pluck with a down strum too.
Ok great, thanks for your help
nice job,well,done,Bravo,
Thank you,thank You very much,…Love,…g.o.d.d,
(good ol’ dale don’tchaknow)
Thanks, Dale!
I love this website it is great!!! I am only 13 but i have a ukulele and can’t wait to look at more music!!!:p
Do it!
ukulele is beautiful its easy to know the chords
Thanks for this, I love the website but I can’t quite get the fingering for E major. It may just be my small hands but I don’t know.
Thanks
Hey Hannah,
E major is definitely tricky. There are two ways you might play it. I like it to play it using my index finger to barre all strings on the second fret. I then use my ring finger to bar the top three strings on the fourth fret.
If you have smaller fingers and hands, you might try instead, placing your index finger on the 2nd fret of the bottom string, middle finger on the 4th fret of the top string, ring finger on the 4th fret of the second to top string, and then your pinky on the 4th fret of the second to bottom string. I don’t do this way because my fingers are too fat and won’t fit.
Hope this helps.
I am thinking of starting the ukulele, but i already play the guitar and I am confused with the notes and chords, should I still join? Also, does a really expensive ukulele make a difference rather than a really cheap one?
Steve, definitely download my free lesson book if you haven’t already. I go over chords, strumming patterns, and some songs. You already got a leg up on others just starting since you play the guitar.
Generally, you get what you pay for when it comes to ukulele. Typically, the more you pay, you’re paying for a ukulele constructed out of solid wood versus a laminate or plywood. You can get a decent solid wood ukulele for anywhere from $300+. The higher you go, you are usually paying for the frills like pearl inlays, finishes, etc.
This is all to say you can get a really great quality, entry-level ukulele for $100 – $200. I’d suggest going to a music store and trying some out!
hey i was just wondering if you are going to do a strumming pattern for this song?? thanks (:
I actually teach this song and strumming pattern in my video lesson course “Ukulele Strumming Tricks”! You can check that out here:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-strumming-tricks/
Hey, I’ve downloaded your e-book and have learnt a couple of basic songs and Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World but I can’t get the hang of the chord C#m :\ Any assistance? I have pretty small hands
C#m is a tough chord! This is because you have to barre the strings. It takes awhile for your fingers and hand to build up strength to get enough pressure on the strings to let the chord ring out clearly. The best thing is practice.
However, you might check out our chord library and see if there are any variations for the C#m chord that would be easier for you to play. You can take a look here:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-chords/
hi Brett!!!
i absolutely love this website, i am still a beginner, at my ukulele, but i can now play hey soul sister, trouble, and hallelujah (plus a bunch of little kid songs =) ) but i have trouble with singing and playing at the same time, and was wondering if you could help, and maybe if you have free time posting a tutorial on just some pointers and advice
thx so much!!!!
You’re in luck!
I actually wrote a post about singing and playing at the same time:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/how-to-sing-and-play-ukulele-at-the-same-time/
What about us with balls? We would need chords a little higher (or lower) to be able to sing this song. Thanx.
Haha, yes. Check out this lesson on changing the key of a song:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/how-to-transpose-a-song/
can you please give me the strum pattern for this song??
ex: d-dudu (wat ever it is…)
its all i need then i can play the song
Hey Nicole, you’re actually on the right track. The strumming pattern is down, down up, down up, down up played to a count of four. The biggest part to playing this strumming pattern is accenting beats 2 and 4 to create a pulse of sorts.
wats the count of 4 mean??? and the accenting beats 2 and 4 to create a pulse of sorts… wats tht mean?? (sorry jus starting ukullele)
No problem! Check out my video lesson “Ukulele Strumming Patterns for Beginners.” It gives a good introduction to strumming and explains how a count works and how to play to one:
http://www.ukuleletricks.com/ukulele-strumming-patterns-for-beginners/
Love this song! This was super helpful
I’m also a singer/songwriter and was given a uke for my birthday a few days ago from my bf 
Ive fallen in love with the cheerful sound!!! 
Can’t wait to get writing on my uke aswell 
Thanks again for this site, love it!
Hey Brett! On the chord sheet there seems to be two chords stacked one on top the other. It only appears that way on the left side of the page. Is this a quick change or what? I’m way new, but you’ve gotten me through Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Maybe you can work your magic here! Thanks!
Hey Randy, I’m trying to figure out what two chords you are talking about. Did you print this page? I wonder if somehow the text printed weird and squished the chords on top of each other. Just let me know! I’d love to help.
Can you post the chords for more english pop songs? Would appreciate it, love your site!! Very helpful