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American Pie cover

American Pie Chords

“American Pie” by Don McLean is played in the key of G and uses the chords G, D, Em and Am. It's an easy song — a good pick for beginners. This folk song comes with an interactive player so you can transpose, add a capo and autoscroll while you play.

Chords:GDEmAmCAm7D7A7

Chords for American Pie

Key: GBPM: 90Difficulty: EasyFolk
G
3
90
 A Glong, Dlong Emtime ago
AmI can still reCmember how that Emmusic used to Dmake me smile.
 And GI knew if I Dhad my Emchance that AmI could make those Cpeople dance
 and Emmaybe they'd by Chappy for a Dwhile.
 But EmFebruary Ammade me shiver with Emevery paper AmI'd deliver.
CBad news Gon the Amdoorstep. CI couldn't take Done more step
 I Gcan't Dremember Emif I cried when I Am7read about his Dwidowed bride,
GSomething Dtouched me Emdeep inside the Cday the D7music Gdied.C G
 So Gbye Cbye, Miss GAmerican DPie.
 Drove my GChevy to the Clevee but the Glevee was Ddry,
 the Ggood ole Cboys were drinkin' Gwhiskey and DRye,
 singing Emthis'll be the day that I A7die, EmThis'll be the day that I D7die.
GDid you write the Ambook of love
 and do Cyou have faith in AmGod above?
EmIf the Bible Dtells you so
 Now do Gyou believe in Drock and Emroll?
 Can Ammusic save your Cmortal soul?
 and Emcan you teach me how to dance A7real D7slow?
 Well I Emknow that you're in Amlove with him 'cause I
Emsaw you dancing Amin the gym,
 You Cboth kicked Goff your A7shoes,
 Man I Cdig those rhythm and D7blues!
 I was a Glonely teenage Dbroncin' Embuck,
 with a Ampink carnation and a Cpick-up truck.
 But GI knew DI was Emout of luck
Cthe D7day, the music Gdied.C G
GI started D7singing
 So Gbye Cbye, Miss GAmerican DPie.
 Drove my GChevy to the Clevee but the Glevee was Ddry,
 the Ggood ole Cboys were drinkin' Gwhiskey and DRye,
 singing Emthis'll be the day that I A7die, EmThis'll be the day that I D7die.
 Now for Gten years, we've been Amon our own
 and Cmoss grows fat on a Amrolling stone,
 But Emthat's not how it Dused to be.
 Cause when the Gjester Dsang for the EmKing & Queen
 in a Amcoat he borrowed Cfrom James Dean and a Emvoice that came from A7you and D7me
 Oh and Emwhile the king was Amlooking down the Emjester stole his Amthorny crown
 the Ccourt room was Gadjourned A7no Cverdict was D7returned.
 And Gwhile Lennon read a Dbook on EmMarx the Amquartet practiced Cin the park
 and Gwe sang Ddirges in the Emdark the Cday the D7music Gdied CG
 I Gstarted D7singin'
 So Gbye Cbye, Miss GAmerican DPie.
 Drove my GChevy to the Clevee but the Glevee was Ddry,
 the Ggood ole Cboys were drinkin' Gwhiskey and DRye,
 singing Emthis'll be the day that I A7die, EmThis'll be the day that I D7die.
GHelter skelter Amin the summer swelter
 the Cbirds flew off with a Amfallout shelter
EmEight miles high and Dfalling fast it Glanded foul Don the Emgrass
 The Amplayers tried for a Cforward pass with the Emjester on the A7sidelines D7in a cast
 The Emhalf time air was Amsweet perfume while the Emseargeants played a Ammarching tune
Cwe all got Gup to A7dance Cbut we never got the D7chance. 'Cause
 the Gplayers tried to Dtake the Emfield, but the Ammarching band reCfused to yield
GDo you reDcall what Emwas revealed Cthe day the D7music Gdied. CG
 I Gstarted D7singin'
 So Gbye Cbye, Miss GAmerican DPie.
 Drove my GChevy to the Clevee but the Glevee was Ddry,
 the Ggood ole Cboys were drinkin' Gwhiskey and DRye,
 singing Emthis'll be the day that I A7die, EmThis'll be the day that I D7die.
 And Gthere we were all in Amone place, A Cgeneration Amlost in space.
 With Emno time left, to Dstart again. GSo come on, DJack be nimble, Emjack be quick,
AmJack flash sat on a Ccandlestick. Em'Cause fire is the A7devil's only D7friend.
 And Emas I watched him Amon the stage my Emhands were clenched in Amfists of rage.
Cno Gangel born in A7hell could Cbreak that satan's D7spell
 And Gas the flames climbed high Dinto the Emnight to Amlight the sacriCficial rite
 I Gsaw Satan laughing Dwith deEmlight, the Cday the D7music Gdied. CG
Gwe were D7singin'
 So Gbye Cbye, Miss GAmerican DPie.
 Drove my GChevy to the Clevee but the Glevee was Ddry,
 the Ggood ole Cboys were drinkin' Gwhiskey and DRye,
 singing Emthis'll be the day that I A7die, EmThis'll be the day that I D7die.
 I Gmet a girl who Dsang the Emblues so
 I Amasked her for some Chappy news
 but she just Emsmiled and Dturned away.
 I Gwent Ddown to the Emsacred store.
 Where I Amheard the music Cyears before.
 But the Emman there said the Cmusic wouldn't Dplay.
 And Emin the streets the Amchildren screamed,
 the Emlovers cried and the Ampoets dreamed.
 But Cnot a Gword was Amspoken.
 The Cchurch bells all were Dbroken.
 And the Gthree men I adDmire Emmost:
 the Am7father, Son and the DHoly Ghost
 They Gcaught the Dlast train for the Emcoast the Cday, the D7music Gdied.CG
GAnd they were D7singing. CD7GCG
 So Gbye Cbye, Miss GAmerican DPie.
 Drove my GChevy to the Clevee but the Glevee was Ddry,
 the Ggood ole Cboys were drinkin' Gwhiskey and DRye,
 singing Emthis'll be the day that I A7die, EmThis'll be the day that I D7die.
 So Gbye Cbye, Miss GAmerican DPie.
 Drove my GChevy to the Clevee but the Glevee was Ddry,
 the Ggood ole Cboys were drinkin' Gwhiskey and DRye,
 singing Emthis'll be the day that I A7die, EmThis'll be the day that I D7die.
EmThis'll be the day that I D7die.

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American Pie — FAQ

What key is “American Pie” in?

“American Pie” by Don McLean is in the key of G. You can transpose it to any other key using the player.

What chords are used in “American Pie”?

“American Pie” uses G, D, Em, Am, C, Am7, D7 and A7.

Is “American Pie” easy to play on guitar?

Yes — “American Pie” is rated easy and suits beginners.

Who sings “American Pie”?

“American Pie” is performed by Don McLean.