Chords + Lyrics | I’m Coming Out
Intro
||: Dm7 Am7 | Gm7 F/A | Bb Bb6 F/A | Bb Bb6 Am7 :||
I’m, coming, out. I’m coming. I’m, coming, out.
I’m coming, out. I’m coming, out. I’m, coming, out.
Chorus 1
||: Dm7 Am7 | Gm7 F/A | Bb Bb6 F/A | Bb Bb6 Am7 :||
I’m coming out, I want the world to know, got to let it show.
I’m coming out, I want the world to know, got to let it show.
Verse 1
| F Am7 | Gm7 Am7 |
There’s a new me coming out, and I just have to live.
| Gm7 Am7 | Gm7 Am7 |
And I want to give, I’m completely positive.
| F Am7 | Gm7 Am7 |
I think this time around, I am gonna do it.
| Gm7 Am7 | Gm7 Am7 |
Like you never knew it, oh, I’ll make it through.
Bridge 1
| Dm7 | Dm7 |
The time has come for me to break out of the shell.
| Dm7 | Bbmaj7 Am7 |
I have to shout, that I am coming out.
Chorus 2
I’m coming out, I want the world to know, I’ve got to let it show.
I’m coming out, I want the world to know, I’ve got to let it show.
I’m (coming out) coming. (I want the world to know) out.
(I’ve got to let it show) I’m coming.
I’m (coming out) coming. (I want the world to know) out (got to let it show).
Verse 2 (as chorus 1 but 4 bars longer)
I’ve got to show the world all that I want to be.
And all my abilities, there’s so much more to me.
Somehow I’ll have to make them, just understand.
I got it well in hand and oh, how I’ve planned.
I’m spreadin’ love, there is no need to fear
And I just feel so good, every time I hear.
Chorus 3
I’m coming out, I want the world to know, I’ve got to let it show.
I’m (coming out) coming. (I want the world to know) out.
(I’ve got to let it show) I’m coming.
I’m (coming out) coming. (I want the world to know) out (got to let it show).
I’m coming out, I want the world to know, I’ve got to let it show.
Solo
||: F Am7 | Gm7 Am7 | Gm7 Am7 | Gm7 Am7 :|| x2
| Dm7 | Dm7 | Dm7 | Bbmaj7 Am7 |
Breakdown (same as chorus)
||: Dm7 Am7 | Gm7 F/A | Bb Bb6 F/A | Bb Bb6 Am7 :|| x4
Chorus 4
(I’m coming out, I want the world to know, I’ve got to let it show) Got the world to know.
I’ve gotta let it show (I’m coming out, I want the world to know, I’ve got to let it show).
I’m (coming out) I’m coming. (I want the world to know) out (got to let it show) I want the world to know, gotta let it show.
I’m (coming out) I’m, I’m, I’m coming, out, (I want the world to know, I’ve got to let it show) watch out, I’m coming out.
Chorus 5
I’m coming out, I want the world to know, I’ve got to let it show.
I’m (coming out) coming, coming. (I want the world to know, got to let it show) I want the world to know, I gotta let it show.
I, I’m coming, out! I have to show, that I’m coming out.
I want the world to know that I’m in love with you, I’m coming, I’m coming, out.
I’m Coming Out Backing Tracks | Chord Analysis
Above, you’ll find backing tracks to use when learning I’m Coming Out. I’ve used stem-seperation to extract the guitar while keeping the drums, bass, keys, horns, and vocals intact.
After studying the chords and TAB, use my backing tracks to prepare for playing this tune with a band.
Should you want to play along with the original recording instead, you need to tune your guitar sharp to 441Hz. In the backing tracks, I’ve done this job for you by tuning it to 440Hz.
Chord Progressions – What’s Going On?
Behind the seemingly simple chords of Diana Ross’s I’m Coming Out lies Nile Rodgers’ genius in using extensions, chord shapes, and arrangement techniques. Let’s take a closer look.
Intro + Chorus
The intro chords are:
||: Dm7 Am7 | Gm7 F/A | Bb Bb6 F/A | Bb Bb6 Am7 :||
We’re in the key of D minor, making these chords VI – III – II – I/3, followed by IV – I/3 – III.
The trick is that II and IV are essentially the same chord, just with a different bass note.
When the chorus comes in, we play all this again. The chaotic feel of the intro mainly comes from the drums and sporadic vocals. By the time we reach the chorus, all that tension from the intro suddenly makes sense. This is crucial, as we want the chorus to feel like a release.
Verse
Here are the verse chords for I’m Coming Out:
||: F Am7 | Gm7 Am7 |
| Gm7 Am7 | Gm7 Am7 :||
Again, this feels familiar because Dm7 and F are essentially the same chord with a different bass note. The same trick applies to Gm and Bb, but here in the verse, we only go to Gm. This makes the chorus feel like a release when it introduces its major chord variation.
Bridge
The bridge is almost entirely built around VI, like this:
| Dm7 | Dm7 | Dm7 | Bbmaj7 Am7 |
Again, there’s familiarity in the movement from Bb to Am7—this is IV – III, the only place where a minor chord sits just a semitone below a major chord.
The solo follows the same progression as verse 1 and the bridge, while the breakdown mirrors the chorus chords but carries the feel of the intro.
The chord progressions in I’m Coming Out feature small variations throughout, keeping the arrangement engaging while maintaining a sense of familiarity. The progressions repeat but with subtle tweaks—verse 2, for example, is longer than verse 1.
The biggest changes come in the vocal arrangement because Nile Rodgers wants the focus to be on Diana Ross—after all, she’s the one coming out!
Here’s a chord chart.
I’m Coming Out Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
You can download my chart as a PDF or iReal Pro file below. Using the iReal Pro app, you can change the key if you like, which works fine since these are all barre chords—although I’ve never had to do it myself!
I’m Coming Out | TAB
I felt strongly that when playing I’m Coming Out in your average band (no horn section or backing vocals), I had to provide structure rather than funky guitar chaos.
Taking this approach, I could gradually vary my rhythms from that starting point. With that in mind, I’ve made some TAB that incorporate the backing vocals and horn section lines.
Intro + Chorus
Here’s the intro/chorus.
Notice how I’ve divided the chords across different strings to create movement in the part, added some muted strums, and mainly follow the backing vocal.
The Gm7 is a combination of a Dm and Cm shape, and the Bb6 is an E shape – both are the same notes. It’s the bass that changes the chord names.
Also, notice the Am7 in bar one is an Am in bar four. Small variations like this matter.
Verse
Here’s the verse. Now the bass doesn’t go to Bb, meaning we only play Gm7 here. Even when I move up in bar four, it’s just that other shape. The Am7 is constant.
Bridge
The bridge is also simplified from the original, as I want to provide structure, not chaos—which I feel is the drummer’s job in this tune.
Notice the dotted 8th note has a dot above the stem; this means to “play short”. I could have written two 16th notes with an 8th-note rest instead, but this felt easier to read.
Use this rhythm as a starting point and gradually get more adventurous once you know what the band is playing.
When all parts feel comfortable, try them with the backing tracks!
I’m Coming Out Chords: Continue Learning
Step-by-step Guitar Courses
Master guitar by studying real tunes. Build your skills with video lessons, eBooks and practice routines that connect theory with the music you love!
Explore SpyTunes step-by-step Guitar Courses.
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
