Hello! Below you'll find my "Pure Imagination" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This iconic song from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is really fun to play and sing on piano - it's full of jazzy chords and interesting changes.
Enjoy!
Pure Imagination Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Pure Imagination:
Pure Imagination Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
Bb A Bb :||
[Verse 1]
Ebm9 Ab13
Come with me and you'll be in
Dbmaj9
A world of pure imagination
Ebm9 Ab13 Dbmaj9
Take a look and you'll see into your imagination
Ebm9 Ab13 Dbmaj9
Take a look and you'll see into your imagination
Bb A Bb X4
[Verse 2]
Ebm9 Ab13
We'll begin with a spin traveling
Dbmaj9 Cdim/Eb C/E Fm
In the world of my creation
Bbm7 Ebm9 Ab13 Fsus2 F Fsus2 F
What we'll see will defy explanation
Bbm7 Ebm9 Ab13 Fsus2 F Fsus2 F
What we'll see will defy explanation
[Chorus]
Gbmaj7 Fm7
If you want to view paradise
Ebm7 Dbmaj7
Simply look around and view it
Gm7b5 C7 Fm7
Anything you want to, do it
Bb7 Eb7
Wanna change the world?
Ab7
There's nothing to it
Gm7b5 C7 Fm7
Anything you want to, do it
Bb7 Eb7
Wanna change the world?
Ab7
There's nothing to it
[Verse 3]
Ebm9 Ab13 Dbmaj9
There is no life I know to compare
Ebm9 Ab13 Dbmaj9
There is no life I know to compare
Fm
With pure imagination
Ebm9 Ab13
Living there, you'll be free
Dbmaj9 E/G# Ab Db
If you truly wish to be
Ebm9 Ab13
Living there, you'll be free
Dbmaj9 E/G# Ab Db
If you truly wish to be
[Instrumental]
| Ebm9 | Ab13 | Dbmaj9 - Cdim/Eb C/E | Fm Bbm7 |
| Ebm9 | Ab13 | Dbmaj9 | Dbmaj9 |
| Ebm9 | Ab13 | Dbmaj9 - Cdim/Eb C/E | Fm Bbm7 |
| Ebm9 | Ab13 | Fsus2 F | Fsus2 F |
| Ebm9 | Ab13 | Fsus2 F | Fsus2 F |
[Chorus]
Gbmaj7 Fm7
If you want to view paradise
Gbmaj7 Fm7
If you want to view paradise
Ebm7 Dbmaj7
Simply look around and view it
Gm7b5 C7 Fm7
Anything you want to, do it
Bb7 Eb7
Wanna change the world?
Ab7
There's nothing to it
Gm7b5 C7 Fm7
Anything you want to, do it
Bb7 Eb7
Wanna change the world?
Ab7
There's nothing to it
Bb A Bb X4
[Outro]
Ebm9 Ab13 Dbmaj9
There is no life I know to compare
With pure imagination
Ebm9 Ab13(b9)
Living there, you'll be free
Fmaj7 E/G# Ab (Db)
If you truly wish to be
Bb A Bb X4
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Pure Imagination Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Pure Imagination" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Pure Imagination" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
