Suspicious Minds | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
| G C/G | G C/G |
Verse 1
| G (C/G) | G (C/G) | C (F/C) | C (F/C) |
We’re caught in a trap, I can’t walk out.
| D (D6) | C (C6) | G (C/G) | G (C/G) |
Because I love you too much, baby.
| G (C/G) | G (C/G) | C (F/C) | C (F/C) |
Why can’t you see, what you’re doing to me.
| D (D6) | C (C6) | D C | Bm D7 |
When you don’t believe a word I say?
Chorus 1
| C | G | Bm | C D |
We can’t go on together with suspicious minds (with suspicious minds).
| Em | Bm | C | D |
And we can’t build our dreams, on suspicious minds.
Verse 2
So if an old friend I know, stops by to say hello.
Would I still see suspicion in your eyes?
Here we go again, asking where I’ve been.
You can’t see the tears are real I’m crying (yes I’m crying).
Chorus 2
| C | G | Bm | C D |
We can’t go on together, with suspicious minds (with suspicious minds).
| Em | Bm | C | B7 |
And we can’t build our dreams on suspicious minds.
Middle 8 (6/8 half time)
| 6/8 Em | Bm | C | D |
Oh, let our love survive, I’ll dry the tears from your eyes.
| Em | Bm | C | D | G |
Let’s don’t let a good thing die, when honey, you know I’ve never lied to you.
| C | G | 4/4 D7 |
Mmm, yeah, yeah.
Verse 3
We’re caught in a trap, I can’t walk out.
Because I love you too much, baby
Why can’t you see, what you’re doing to me.
When you don’t believe a word I say?
Outro
||: G (C/G) | G (C/G) | C (F/C) | C (F/C) |
||: Well don’t you know I’m, caught in a trap. I can’t walk out.
| D (D6) | C (C6) | G (C/G) | G (C/G) :||
Because I love you too much, baby. :||
Suspicious Minds Chords: Understanding the Verse and Chorus Variations
Based around a memorable guitar riff, Suspicious Minds‘ chords are more intricate than they might first appear.
The verse follows a progression somewhat similar to an 8-bar blues: I – IV – V – IV – I. However, the chords are often enriched by adding variations, such as mixing with the IV chord or introducing a 6th extension, as seen here:
| G (I) C/G (IV/5) | G C/G | C (IV) F/C (bVIIx/5) | C F/C |
| D (V) D6 | C (IV) C6 | G C/G | G C/G |
In contrast, the chorus uses more straightforward chords, which provides a welcome release from the complexity of the verse:
| C (IV) | G (I) | Bm (III) | C (IV) D (V) |
| Em (VI) | Bm (III) | C (IV) | D (V) |
Simply viewing the chords doesn’t offer enough insight into how to play Suspicious Minds like the original recording. To master this, you’ll need TAB—here’s a link to the lesson: Suspicious Minds – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Once you’ve worked through the intricacies of this part, it will work equally well on both acoustic and electric guitars, making this chord chart a handy guide for gigs.

Suspicious Minds Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro
Should you want to download this chart, here’s a PDF: Suspicious Minds chord chart PDF.
This chord chart was created using iReal Pro, here’s a link to that file: Suspicious Minds chord chart iReal Pro. Using this and the iRealPro app, you can change the key.
Suspicious Minds was written by one of Elvis’s best writers!
Suspicious Minds was penned by Mark James, a talented songwriter who also wrote hits like Hooked On A Feeling and Always On My Mind.
Mark initially released the song himself in 1968, but after it failed to gain traction, he passed it along to Elvis. The King took it to new heights, achieving worldwide chart success with it the following year, selling over 2 million copies in the process.
In addition to Suspicious Minds, Mark James wrote other notable Elvis tracks such as It’s Only Love, Moody Blue, and Raised on Rock.
In 2000, BMI recognised James as one of the top songwriters of the century, alongside legendary names like Paul McCartney, Elton John, and the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland.
Suspicious Minds Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: Suspicious Minds (Elvis Presley) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy: