Ain’t Nobody | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
||: Ebm7 | Ebm7 :||
||: Ebm11 :|| x8
||: Ebm7 | Eb7sus4 :||
Verse 1
| Ebm Db/Eb Ebm7 | Ebm Db/Eb Ebm7 |
Captured effortlessly, that’s the way it was.
| Bmaj7 (Db/B) | Bmaj7 (Db/B) |
Happened so naturally, did not know it was love.
| Ebm Db/Eb Ebm7 | Ebm Db/Eb Ebm7 |
The next thing I felt was you, holdin’ me close.
| Bmaj7 (Db/B) | Bmaj7 (Db/B) |
What was I gonna do? I let myself go.
| Ebm/Bb Bbm7 Ebm7/Bb | Bmaj7 Db Ebm7/Db |
And now we’re flyin’ through the stars. I hope this night will last forever.
Instrumental 1
||: Ebm7 Db/Eb :||
Verse 2
| Eb5 Db5 | Db5 Eb5 |
I’ve been waitin’ for you, it’s been so long.
| B5 Db5 | Db5 Eb5 |
I knew just what I would do when I heard your song.
| Eb5 Db5 | Db5 Eb5 |
You filled my heart with a kiss, you gave me freedom.
| B5 Db5 | Db5 Eb5 |
You knew I could not resist, I needed someone.
| Bb5 | B5 Db5 | Eb5 Db5 | Db5 Eb5 |
And now we’re flyin’ through the stars. I hope this night will last forever. Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Chorus 1
||: Ebm7 Gbmaj7 | Abm7 B :||
Ain’t nobody (nobody), loves me better (loves me better).
Makes me happy, makes me feel this way (nobody).
Ain’t nobody (ain’t nobody), loves me better, than you.
Instrumental 2
||: Ebm Db/Eb :||
Verse 3 (as verse 2)
I wait for nighttime to come, to bring you to me.
I can’t believe I’m the one, I was so lonely.
I feel like no one could feel, I must be dreamin’.
I want this dream to be real, I need this feelin’.
I make my wish upon a star and hope this night will last forever. Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Chorus 2
Ain’t nobody (ain’t nobody), loves me better (make me feel this way).
Makes me happy. Makes me feel this way (nobody, baby).
Ain’t nobody (nobody, baby), loves me better (nobody makes me feel).
Ain’t nobody, loves me better, than you.
Middle 8
||: Ebm7 Db/Eb | Abm7 Db :||
At first, you put your arms around me.
Then you put your charms around me.
I can’t resist this sweet surrender.
Oh, my nights are warm and tender.
We stare into each other’s eyes.
And what we see is no surprise.
Got a feeling most would treasure.
And a love so deep we cannot measure.
Chorus 3
Ain’t nobody (ain’t nobody), loves me better (make me feel this way).
Makes me happy. Makes me feel this way (makes me feel this way).
Chorus 4
||: Ain’t nobody (ain’t nobody), loves me better (nobody).
Ain’t nobody, loves me better (nobody, baby).
Ain’t nobody (nobody, baby), loves me better.
Makes me happy, makes me feel this way. :||
Ain’t Nobody Chords: Unlocking the Progressions and Subtle Variations
Being in the key of Ebm, most musicians play Ain’t Nobody’s chords by moving from chord VI to II in the chorus (Ebm – Abm), a progression ranked #10 on my top 10 chord progression list.
However, upon closer inspection, there are two additional chords in the progression:
||: Ebm7 (VI) Gbmaj7 (I) | Abm7 (II) B (IV) :||
The verse alternates between Ebm and Db/Eb (VI and V/b7). This later shifts to moving between Bmaj7 and Db/B, which correspond to chords IV and V/b7.
Refer to the TAB for verse 1 in the TAB lesson to see how these keyboard chords are adapted for the guitar. Only the bass notes change: Ain’t Nobody – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
The final part of the verse begins on chord III before ascending the scale:
Bbm7 – Bmaj7 – Db – Ebm.
Verses 2 and 3 retain the same chords, but the guitar plays the following:
||: Eb5 Db5 | Db5 Eb5 |
| B5 Db5 | Db5 Eb5 :||
For the final line, the movement is the same, but the guitar uses power chords:
| Bb5 | B5 Db5 | Eb5 Db5 | Db5 Eb5 |
The middle 8 section alternates between these chords:
||: Ebm7 (VI) Db/Eb (V/2) | Abm7 (II) Db (V) :||
However, once again, the guitar simplifies this and plays something different (check the TAB!).
The intro is quite unique. I’ve designed a TAB for this as well, incorporating the chord extensions mentioned at the top of this page.
Now that you’re familiar with all the chords, you could impress your bandmates during verse 1 by playing Ain’t Nobody’s accurate chords—especially when there’s no distorted guitar present yet.
This chord chart could be a helpful reference for your first few gigs.
Ain’t Nobody Backing Track | Chord Chart
(PDF + iReal Pro)
At the top of this page, you’ll find two backing tracks for playing Ain’t Nobody. I’ve used AI to extract the chords while keeping the drums, bass, and vocals intact. The second track has vocals.
Use these backing tracks to prepare for playing Ain’t Nobody with a band. If you’d like to download it, here’s a PDF: Ain’t Nobody chord chart PDF.
This chart was created using iRealPro, here’s a link to that file: Ain’t Nobody chord chart iReal Pro. With the iReal Pro app, you can transpose the key if needed—though, in my experience, this rarely happens!
Ain’t Nobody – A modern standard
Ain’t Nobody is a smash hit by Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan on vocals. Released in 1983, it has enjoyed consistent radio play ever since.
For female singers in cover bands, it’s as much of an essential choice as Respect or You Can’t Hurry Love.
Somewhat surprisingly, it ranked only #403 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Many would argue that this ranking doesn’t reflect its popularity. Ain’t Nobody has truly become a modern standard.
Ain’t Nobody Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: Ain’t Nobody (Chaka Khan) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy: