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Señorita Chords | Camila Cabello Guitar Lesson with TAB + Backing Tracks

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play Señorita by Camila Cabello using chords, TAB, lyrics, chord charts (PDF + iReal Pro), chord progression analysis, and stem separated backing tracks!

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Chords + Lyrics | Señorita

Intro

| Am7 | Am7 | Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
| Fmaj7 | Fmaj7 | E7#9 | G |

Chorus 1

Verse 1

Chorus 2

I love it when you call me señorita.
I wish I could pretend I didn’t need ya.
But every touch is ooh, la-la-la, it’s true, la-la-la.
Ooh, I should be running. Ooh, you know.
I love it when you call me señorita.
I wish it wasn’t so damn hard to leave ya.
But every touch is ooh, la-la-la, it’s true, la-la-la.
Ooh, I should be running. Ooh, you keep me coming for ya.

Verse 2

Locked in the hotel, there’s just some things that never change
You say we’re just friends, but friends don’t know the way you taste, la-la-la
‘Cause you know it’s been a long time coming don’t you let me fall, oh.
Ooh, when your lips undress me, hooked on your tongue.
| Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 N.C |
Ooh, love, your kiss is deadly, don’t stop.

Chorus 3

I love it when you call me señorita.
I wish I could pretend I didn’t need ya.
But every touch is ooh, la-la-la, it’s true, la-la-la.
Ooh, I should be running, ooh, you know.
I love it when you call me señorita.
I wish it wasn’t so damn hard to leave ya.
But every touch is ooh, la-la-la, it’s true, la-la-la (true, la-la).
Ooh, I should be running, ooh, you keep me coming for ya.

Middle 8

Outro

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Señorita Backing Tracks | Chord Analysis

Above, you’ll find backing tracks to use when learning Señorita. I’ve used stem separation to extract the guitar while keeping the drums, bass, keys, and vocals intact.

After studying the chords and TAB, use my backing tracks to prepare for playing this tune with a band, or on only one acoustic guitar (more on this later)..

Chord Progressions – What’s Going On?

This is an excellent tune for those of us with a loop pedal, as the chord progression stays the same throughout, with just a few stops to consider.

If you’ve searched the internet for Señorita chords and managed to avoid Justin Timberlake‘s tune, you’ve probably come across these chords for Camila Cabello‘s Señorita:

||: Am (VI) | Am | Cmaj7 (I) | Cmaj7 |
| F (IV) | F | E (IIIx) | G (V) :||

Or, sometimes Em7 instead of E. Neither is correct. Here’s the actual chord progression for Señorita, with all extensions:

||: Am7 (VI) | Am7 | Cmaj7 (I) | Cmaj7 |
| Fmaj7 (IV) | Fmaj7 | E7#9 (IIIx) | G (V) :||

Try both with the backing tracks and original recording, and you’ll hear how these subtle changes make a difference.

Apart from all three of the first chords being extended, the E chord causes the most confusion. Interestingly, if you combine the two suggestions, Em7 and E, you get the correct chord: E7#9, also known as the Jimi Hendrix chord.

As much fun as it is to loop the progression and then drink beer or solo for the next 4 minutes, I’d suggest playing Señorita‘s chords in different ways for variation.

Variation is key if you’re playing this on one acoustic guitar with a singer, as the lack of complex vocal production calls for something to create the missing variation.

With this in mind, I’ve designed two different TAB examples which, once memorised, will blend in nicely and add an improvised touch. Find said TAB further down this guitar lesson.

We also explore how the melody is essentially a minor version of I’m Yours and how nursery rhyme-style songwriting is key to success in modern hits (again, more on this below).

Once you’ve completed the TAB, this simple chord chart will help you bring the song to the gig.

Señorita Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download

Should you want to download this chart, here’s a PDF: Señorita chord chart PDF.

This chord chart was created using iReal Pro, here’s a link to that file: Señorita iReal Pro. Using this and the iRealPro app, you can change the key.

Considering what you’re about to discover below (playing the melody thinking in intervals), you could with the chord chart in iReal Pro go through all 12 keys, or why not record yourself using a loop pedal in all keys?

If you did that and played in all five CAGED shapes, it would change your world.

Señorita | TAB

Let’s explore how Señorita‘s chords and melody can be arranged for the guitar, revealing both how the tune works and what it can teach us about music.

Señorita TAB – One Acoustic Guitar Idea 1

This is a basic, straightforward arrangement using the classic clave rhythm—a must in Latin music.

Señorita chords and TAB, one acoustic guitar, idea 1.

Let’s break down what’s happening:

The rhythm alternates: on the beat in bar one, off the beat in bar two—classic clave.
The bass line varies:
- Am: the open E string (the 5th) makes perfect sense.
- Cmaj7: open A (a 6th), technically incorrect but still works musically.
- Fmaj7: uses the 3rd as the variation.
- E7#9: the variation is the 4th—not theoretically correct, but it adds colour.
- G: uses a different rhythm for variety.

Play this idea until it feels natural. Don’t try to change it yet—lock it in first.

Señorita TAB – One Acoustic Guitar Idea 2

Here’s a variation with a different feel.

Señorita chords and TAB, one acoustic guitar, idea 2.

Several elements have changed:

The first note is held longer.
The bass line reverses, going root → variation.
In bar two, a held note is played on beat 1.
Overall rhythm is slightly smoother but still clave–inspired.

Again, play this exactly as written—get comfortable with it before moving on. Use the backing tracks or a metronome.

Once both ideas feel natural, try blending them together without the TAB—start improvising using the patterns.

If you have a loop pedal, now’s the time to use it. Loop your rhythm part to back yourself up for the next section: the melody.

Señorita TAB – Melody (Em Shape)

We begin in the Em shape for the Am chord.

Señorita chords and TAB, melody, Em shape.

Pay attention to intervals relative to the chords:

Am: Starts on the m3rd, descends the chord. Bar 2 adds tension using the 9th and b7.
Cmaj7: Almost the same notes, except the second note is now the 5th. The final note changes to lead into the next chord.
Fmaj7: Simple root to 5th, but the quarter note triplets add rhythmic complexity.
E7#9 to G: Almost identical phrasing, but the intervals change—on G, we play the 4th and 3rd.

Make sure you can see how each note relates to each chord.

Señorita TAB – Melody (Dm Shape)

Now try playing the same melody starting from a Dm shape.

This is the real challenge—transposing melody based on interval relationships, not fret positions. If you understand the chord shapes and intervals, you’ll be able to play this melody anywhere on the neck.

Señorita chords and TAB, melody, Dm shape.

When you can play all this TAB, put it to use using the backing tracks and your acoustic, and electric guitar. How will you need to adapt the part depending on the instrument?

Final Thought:

To truly master the guitar fretboard, take this approach every time you learn a new melody: Identify the chord shape, see the intervals, and then move it around. Make Señorita your first of many!

How Señorita Channels the Magic of I’m Yours in a Minor Key

Nursery rhyme-style hit writing is prevalent in pop music these days. The formula often involves an extremely simple melody, hitting all the key notes, which is then looped throughout most of the tune, with changes introduced through using production techniques.

I’m Yours by Jason Mraz is another great example of this. I break down the melody and why it’s a hit in eight steps in the intermediate acoustic course starting here: I’m Yours | Guitar Lesson – Step 1.

While it’s helpful to use TAB when describing melodies on the guitar, be cautious of focusing too much on fret numbers. The true message lies in the intervals, which are essential for understanding the melody.

With that in mind, try identifying the intervals for Señorita’s melody in relation to each chord, like this:

Am7 – m3 – R – 5 – m3 – 2 – b7 (2 – m3 – 2 – R – 2)

Cmaj7 – R – 5 – 3 – R – maj7 – 5 (maj7 – R – maj7 – 6 – 5)

Fmaj7 – R – 5

E7#9 – 5 – b6 – 5 – b6 – 5 – #9

G – 3 – 4 – 3 – 4 – 3 – R

The intervals for Am7 and Cmaj7 are different, yet they share almost the same notes. The same applies to the E7#9 and G chords.

Interestingly, the entire chorus melody (and, by extension, the tune) is played during the intro. This is a brilliant technique because the melody or a variation of it is planted in your mind before you even hear it!

Once you grasp this concept, you can write your own hits or solos that work the same way—targeting notes versus creating tension!

Señorita Chords: Continue Learning

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Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics

When you can play Señorita's chords, try these five tunes from the songbook.