You Shook Me All Night Long — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

You Shook Me All Night Long uses the chords G, C, D, F in the key of G. The progression follows a I–IV–V–VII pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

Rock · 1980 · Intermediate

You Shook Me All Night Long

by AC/DC
Key of G 120 BPM Intermediate

Chord Sheet

Key of G · Progression: I–IV–V–VII

G
chord 1
C
chord 2
D
chord 3
F
chord 4
Chord Loop
G — C — D — F — ...
Roman Numeral Analysis
View the harmonic structure and functional analysis of this progression.
View Analysis →
Key
G
Tempo
120 BPM
Chords
4
Genre
Rock

Practice Tips for You Shook Me All Night Long

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the G→C transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 120 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

You Shook Me All Night Long (1980) is a intermediate-level rock song that uses 4 chords: G, C, D, F in the key of G. The chord progression is I–IV–V–VII.

Chord Breakdown

  • G — major chord, bright and stable
  • C — major chord, bright and stable
  • D — major chord, bright and stable
  • F — major chord, bright and stable

About You Shook Me All Night Long

"You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC (released 1980) is one of the most recognizable rock songs ever recorded. Its 4-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of G, C, D creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning You Shook Me All Night Long as a Beginner

If you're learning to play You Shook Me All Night Long, start by getting comfortable with each chord individually before trying to switch between them. The goal is to make each chord change automatic — your fingers should know where to go without you having to think about it. Practice the chord loop slowly with a metronome, and you'll be playing the full song within a few weeks.

Similar Songs (Same Key or Chords)

Let It Be
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C – G – Am – F
Beginner
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Wonderwall
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Em – G – D – A7sus4
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Knockin' on Heaven's Door
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G – D – Am – C
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Stand By Me
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A – F#m – D – E
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Perfect
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G – Em – C – D
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G · 96 BPM
Hallelujah
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C – Am – F – G – E7
Intermediate
C · 68 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC — FAQ

Everything you need to know about our browser-based Web Audio engine, instruments, and music theory workspace.

What chords are in You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC?

You Shook Me All Night Long uses the chords G, C, D, F in the key of G.

The progression follows a I–IV–V–VII pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

What key is You Shook Me All Night Long in?

You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC is in the key of G.

The primary chords are G, C, D.

What is the tempo of You Shook Me All Night Long?

You Shook Me All Night Long is played at approximately 120 BPM.

This is a faster tempo — practice slowly first before bringing it to full speed. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 120 BPM.

What strumming pattern does You Shook Me All Night Long use?

You Shook Me All Night Long is typically in 4/4 time.

A common strumming pattern is down-down-up-up-down-up (DDUUDU) or simplified all-down for beginners. Focus on getting chord changes smooth before adding strumming complexity.

How do I play G chord on guitar?

G is the main chord in You Shook Me All Night Long.

Place fingers on: 3rd fret 6th string (E), 2nd fret 5th string (A), 3rd fret 1st string (e).

Can I play You Shook Me All Night Long on piano?

Yes! You Shook Me All Night Long sounds great on piano.

Play the chords G, C, D, F in root position or inversions. Left hand plays bass notes (root of each chord), right hand plays chord voicings. This is a intermediate-level arrangement.

Is You Shook Me All Night Long beginner-friendly?

You Shook Me All Night Long is rated Intermediate difficulty.

The chord changes and rhythm require some practice.

What is the chord progression in You Shook Me All Night Long?

The main progression in You Shook Me All Night Long is G – C – D – F (Roman numeral: I–IV–V–VII).

This 4-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.

Can I transpose You Shook Me All Night Long to a different key?

Yes! You Shook Me All Night Long is in G.

To make it easier, try transposing to G or D using a capo. A capo changes your effective key while keeping the same chord shapes. Use our Transpose Tool to convert all chord names automatically.

What genre is You Shook Me All Night Long?

You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC is a Rock song from 1980.

Its 4-chord progression (G, C, D, F) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.