“Hey Ya!” is OutKast’s 2003 global mega-hit and one of the most distinctive pop songs of the 21st century. André 3000 and Big Boi were both born and raised in Decatur, Georgia — my hometown — so this one’s especially close to home.
The whole song uses just four chords: G, C, D, and E. The unusual choice is the E major (where you’d normally expect E minor in G major), and that single substitution is a huge part of why Hey Ya sounds the way it does. More on that below!
The Chords You’ll Need
Chord Chart
Intro N.C. G One, two, three, uh! Verse 1 C My baby don't mess around C Because she loves me so D E And this I know for sure G C But does she really wanna C But can't stand to see me D E Walk out the door G C Don't try to fight the feeling C 'Cause the thought alone D E Is killing me right now G C Thank God for mom and dad C For sticking two together D E 'Cause we don't know how Chorus 1 G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa... G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa... G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa... G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa... Verse 2 G C You think you've got it, oh, you think you've got it C But got it just don't get it D E Till there's nothing at all G C We get together, oh we get together C But separate's always better D E When there's feelings involved G C If what they say is "Nothing is forever" C Then what makes, then what makes, D E Then what makes, then what makes, Then what makes, love the exception G So why, oh, why, oh, C C why, oh, why, oh, why, oh... are we so in denial D N.C. When we know we're not happy here... Chorus 2 G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa... G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa... G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa... G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa.. Hey, alright now Bridge 1 G C Alright now fellas, (YEAH!) C Now what's cooler than bein' cool? D E (ICE COLD!) I can't hear ya' G I say what's cooler than bein' cool? C (ICE COLD!) whooo... C Alright, alright, alright, alright D E Alright, alright, alright, alright Alright, alright, alright, alright G C Alright, alright, OK now ladies, (YEAH!) C D E And we gon' break this back down in just a few seconds G Now don't have me break this thang down for nothin' C C Now I wanna see y'all on y'all baddest behavior D E Lend me some sugar, I am your neighbor ahh here we go! Bridge 2 G C Shake it, sh-shake it, shake it, sh-shake it (Uh-oh) C D E Shake it, sh-shake it, Shake it, shake it, sh-shake it (Uh-oh) G Shake it like a Polaroid picture, hey ya! C C Shake it, sh-shake it, shake it, sh-shake it D E Shake it, shake it (okay), shake it, sugar G Shake it like a Polaroid picture C Now all the Beyoncés and Lucy Lius C D E And baby dolls, get on the floor G You know what to do, oh, you know what to do C C D E You know what to do Chorus 3 G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa... G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa... G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa... G C Heeeey yaaaaa... D E Hey yaaaaa...
About E major (the song’s secret sauce)
In G major, the chord built on the 6th scale degree is normally E minor (Em). Hey
Ya uses E major instead — a “borrowed” chord that creates the song’s
signature off-balance, slightly unsettling feel. That single substitution is a huge
part of why Hey Ya sounds like itself and not like any other pop song.
About N.C. (No Chord)
N.C. means “No Chord” — a moment with just vocal and no guitar harmony underneath.
You’ll see it at the song’s opening (“One, two, three, uh!”) and at the end of
Verse 2 (“When we know we’re not happy here…”). It’s a tension-building device
that makes the next chord feel impactful when it lands.
Practice Tips
- The whole song uses just four chords: G, C, D, E. Master them and you’ve got the entire piece.
- The progression G → C → D → E repeats throughout — verses, choruses, and bridges all share the same chord vocabulary.
- Hey Ya is famously written in an unusual time signature (often analyzed as 11/4). The chord changes don’t fall on conventional beats. Just follow the chord placements above the lyrics rather than trying to count beats traditionally — the song teaches you its rhythm.
- This is a high-energy party song. Lean into the groove and don’t be afraid to be playful with your strumming. Hey Ya is meant to make people move.