George Harrison - Shanghai Surprise: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Shanghai Surprise" on your guitar with our chord guide. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

   G
I can't understand how I've gone astray
I should be sailing away on a liner
I was knocked on my back on a dock at Yang-Tse
It's a hell of a way to see China

         C
But I'm ready
G            C
You must be crazy
G              C
And you got no money
G             C  C G
And you're a liar

Am              D            Am          D
My straits are dire from the, the wok into the fire
Am            D                  G  G/F#   G/E G/D
I'd like to trust you but I've broken my rickshaw
Am                 D          Am         D
Sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing opium
     Am      D                G   G/F#      G/E
I'd like to love you but I'm not sure what's in
G/D
your
Bm
eyes
 Bm               Dm
Mmm, Shanghai Surprise

Dm        G             Dm         G
Whatever you're saying, I want it anyway in
Dm             G            C   C/B C/A  C/G  Dm
Been hanging 'round like a kid at  your back door
Dm            G      Dm           G
You could be kinder, and show me Asia minor
Dm            G                C   C/B       C/A C/G
I'll let you love me; let you see what's here in my
Em
eyes
 Em         A5
Shanghai Surprise

You must be crazy (Crazy)
And you got no money (Money)
And it seems like madness

Back streets so crowded that,
no room to swing a cat
I'd like to know you but you're acting so coolie
I'm finding out pursued by, evil looking dudes it's
Getting hot for me like tofu when it deep fries
Oh, Shanghai Surprise

But, baby, you look like any common crook
That's hanging 'round in those
real shady places (Ooh, babe)
While you assess me, why not try to impress me?
Step over here, let me see what's
there in your eyes
Oh, Shanghai Surprise

   G
I don't understand how I got delayed
I should be sailing today on a liner
    Em
Was kicked in the ass on a dock at Yang-Tse
         G
It's no way for a man to see China

But I'm ready

You must be crazy (Crazy)
And you got no money (Money)
But you're a trier

My straits are dire from the, the wok into the fire
I'd like to meet you but I've broken my chopstick
Sometimes there's no hope in, in chasing promises
I wanna love you though it could prove to be unwise
Shanghai Surprise

Whatever you're saying, I want it anyway in
Been hanging 'round for a ride on your rickshaw
You may correct me, now that you've inspected me
Come over here, let me feel you cut down to size
Oh, Shanghai Surprise

My straits are dire from the, the wok into the fire
I'd like to know you but I'm not really social
Sometimes it's no joke, can't cope with opium
I'd like to love you but I'm not sure what's
in your eyes
Shanghai Surprise

Shanghai Surprise

And you got no money
But you're a trier


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

A

Guitar chord A

Am

Guitar chord Am

B

Guitar chord B

Bm

Guitar chord Bm

C

Guitar chord C

D

Guitar chord D

Dm

Guitar chord Dm

E

Guitar chord E

Em

Guitar chord Em

F#

Guitar chord F#

G

Guitar chord G

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "Shanghai Surprise" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Shanghai Surprise" by George Harrison.

George Harrison Song List