Skip to song content

The Drifters - When My Little Girl Is Smiling Ukulele Chords

ChordsE, C#m, B, A
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to C,F,G,D,A keys to play this song with easier chords.

  • Ukulele E chord diagram Fingering: 4-4-4-2 Barre at fret 4.Ukulele E chord diagram
  • Ukulele C#m | D♭m chord diagram Fingering: 1-4-4-4Ukulele C#m | D♭m chord diagram
  • Ukulele B chord diagram Fingering: 4-3-2-2 Barre at fret 2.Ukulele B chord diagram
  • Ukulele A chord diagram Fingering: 2-1-0-0Ukulele A chord diagram


[E]Every time my baby and [C#m]I have a quarrel, [C#m] [B] [A]I swear I won’t [B]give in.
[E]Then my baby starts to [C#m]smile at me, [C#m] [B] [A]and I know, [B]I know I just can’t [E]win.


[E] [E]
[E]When My Little Girl Is Smiling, [C#m]there’s nothing more I can Say.
[A]I see those big bright eyes and then I realize [B]that girl is gonna get her way
[E]When My Little Girl Is Smiling, [C#m]I can’t stay mad at her for long.
[A]Why should I want to fight when I can hold her tight? [B]I just don’t care who’s right or wrong.


[E] [E] [C#m] [C#m] [A] [A] [B] [B]
[E]When My Little Girl Is Smiling, [C#m]it’s the greatest thrill there can be.
[A]She gets her way it’s true, but I know I won’t be blue, [B]as long as she just smiles for me


[E]
[A]She gets her way it’s true, but I know I won’t be blue, [B]as long as she just smiles for me
[E]When My Little Girl Is Smiling etc..

Report Error
AlbumSave the Last Dance for Me
GenresRock
Year1962
KeyE

How to play When My Little Girl Is Smiling on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

The Drifters - When My Little Girl Is Smiling on ukulele requires 4 chords and 6 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

When My Little Girl Is Smiling uses these transitions most often: A → B (7), B → E (7), and E → C#m (6). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with E - C#m chord transition.

1. E → C#m chord transition

To move from E to C#m;

  1. Slide your index finger on G string from fret 4 to fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to C string fret 4.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 4.
  4. Place pinky on A string fret 4.
E to C#m

2. C#m → B chord transition

To move from C#m to B;

  1. While playing C#m, lift your pinky from A string fret 4.
  2. Lift your index finger from G string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 2.
  3. Slide your middle finger on C string from fret 4 to fret 3.
  4. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 4 and place it on G string fret 4.
C#m to B

3. B → A chord transition

To move from B to A;

  1. While playing B, lift your ring finger from G string fret 4.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 3 to G string fret 2.
B to A

4. B → E chord transition

To move from B to E;

  1. While playing B, lift your ring finger from G string fret 4.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 4.
  3. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 3 to A string fret 2.
B to E

5. C#m → A chord transition

To move from C#m to A;

  1. While playing C#m, first lift your ring finger and pinky.
  2. Lift your index finger from G string fret 1 and place it on C string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 4 to G string fret 2.

6. E → A chord transition

To move from E to A;

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 4 and place it on C string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to G string fret 2.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in When My Little Girl Is Smiling.

  • When My Little Girl Is Smiling includes 29 chord transitions, 6 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • When My Little Girl Is Smiling contains 1 of the top 25 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how When My Little Girl Is Smiling connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After E, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are A (25%), D (14%), and B (11%).
    • E → A: 25%
    • E → C#m: 6%
    After B, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are E (21%), Em (16%), and A (16%).
    • B → E: 21%
    • B → A: 16%