Key: G · BPM: 136 · Difficulty: Intermediate · Chords: G, D/F#, Em7, Am, C, Em, D, G/B, Am7, D7, A7, Cm · Strumming: DU DU DU D
[Verse] G D/F# Em7 A long, long time ago Am C I can still remember how that Em D music used to make me smile G D/F# Em7 And I knew if I had my chance Am C That I could make those people dance and Em C D maybe they'd be happy for a while Em Am But February made me shiver, Em Am with every paper I'd deliver C G/B Am Bad news on the doorstep, C D I couldn't take one more step G D/F# Em I can't remember if I cried when Am7 D I read about his widowed bride G D/F# Em Something touched me deep inside C D7 G The day the music died [Chorus] G C G D So bye, bye Miss American Pie G C Drove my Chevy to the levy but G D the levy was dry G C And them good old boys were drinkin' G D whiskey and rye Em Singin' this will be the day that A7 I die, Em D7 this will be the day that I die [Verse 2] G Am Did you write the book of love C Am And do you have faith in God above, Em D if the bible tells you so? G D/F# Em Do you believe in rock and roll Am7 C Can music save your mortal soul Em and can you teach me A7 D how to dance real slow? Em D Well I know that you're in love with him Em D 'cuz I saw you dancin' in the gym C G/B Am You both kicked off your shoes, man C D7 I dig those rhythm and blues G D/F# Em I was a lonely teenage bronckin' buck with a Am C pink carnation and a pickup truck G D/F# Em But I knew I was out of luck the C D7 G C day the music died, G D I started singin' [Chorus] G C G D Bye, bye Miss American Pie G C Drove my Chevy to the levy but G D the levy was dry G C And them good old boys were drinkin' G D whiskey and rye Em A7 Singin' this will be the day that I die, Em D7 this will be the day that I die [Verse] G Am Now for ten years we've been on our own C Am Em and moss grows fat on a rolling stone but D that's not how it used to be G D/F# Em When the jester sang for the king and queen Am7 C in a coat he borrowed from James Dean in a Em A7 D voice that came from you and me Em D Oh, and while the king was looking down, Em D the jester stole his thorny crown C G/B A7 The courtroom was adjourned, C D7 no verdict was returned G D/F# Em And while Lennin read a book on Marx, Am C the quartet practiced in the park G D/F# Em C And we sang dirges in the dark the day D7 G C the music died, G D we were singin' [Chorus] G C G D Bye, bye Miss American Pie G C Drove my Chevy to the levy but G D the levy was dry G C And them good old boys were G D drinkin' whiskey and rye Em Singin' this will be the day that A7 I die, Em D7 this will be the day that I die [Verse] G Am Helter skelter in a summer swelter C Am the birds flew off with a fallout shelter, Em D eight miles high and fallin' fast G D/F# Em It landed foul on the grass Am7 C the players tried for a forward pass, Em A7 D with the jester on the sidelines in a cast Em D Now the half-time air was sweet perfume, Em D while sergeants played a marching tune C G/B A7 We all got up to dance, but C D7 we never got the chance G D/F# Em 'Cuz the players tried to take the field, Am Cm C the marching band refused to yield G D/F# Em C Do you recall what was revealed the day D7 G C the music died, G D we started singin' [Chorus] G C G D Bye, bye Miss American Pie G C Drove my Chevy to the levy but G D the levy was dry G C And them good old boys were G D drinkin' whiskey and rye Em Singin' this will be the day that A7 I die, Em D7 this will be the day that I die [Verse] G Am And there we were all in one place C Am a generation lost in space, Em D with no time left to start again G D/F# So come on Jack be nimble, Em Jack be quick, Am7 C Jack Flash sat on a candle Em stick, 'cuz fire is A7 D the devil's only friend Em D And as I watched him on the stage, Em D my hands were clenched in fists of rage C G/B A7 C No angel born in Heck could break that D7 Satan's spell G D/F# Em And as the flames climbed high into the Am C night to light the sacrificial rite G D/F# Em C I saw Satan laughing with delight the day D7 G C the music died, G D he was singin' [Chorus] G C G D Bye, bye Miss American Pie G C Drove my Chevy to the levy but G D the levy was dry G C And them good old boys were G D drinkin' whiskey and rye Em Singin' this will be the day that A7 Em I die, this will be D7 the day that I die [Verse] G D/F# Em I met a girl who sang the blues Am C And I asked her for some happy news, but Em D she just smiled and turned away G D/F# Em I went down to the sacred store Am C Where I'd heard the music years before, Em C but the man there said the music D wouldn't play Em Am But in the streets the children screamed, Em the lovers cried and Am the poets dreamed C G/B Am But not a word was spoken, C D the church bells all were broken G D/F# Em And the three men I admire most, Am7 C the Father, Son, D7 and the Holy Ghost G D/F# Em They caught the last train for the C D7 G coast the day the music died, N.C. And they were singin' [Chorus] G C G D Bye, bye Miss American Pie G C Drove my Chevy to the levy but G D the levy was dry G C And them good old boys were drinkin' G D whiskey and rye Em Singin' this will be the day that A7 Em I die, this will be D7 the day that I die G C They were singin' bye, bye G D Miss American Pie G C Drove my Chevy to the levy but G D the levy was dry G C And them good old boys were drinkin' G D whiskey and rye C D7 Singin' this will be the day that G C G I die
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ℹ️ About This Song
On the 26th of May 1971, the track was released. The track was written by Don McLean.
Recommended Gear
Kyser Quick-Change Guitar Capo
Play this song in any key with the industry standard capo for acoustic and electric guitars. Built to last a lifetime.
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Chords Info
- Tuning: Standard(E A D G B E)
- Key: G
- Chords: G, D/F#, Em7, Am, C, Em, D, G/B, Am7, D7, A7, Cm
- BPM: 136
- Suggested Strumming: DU DU DU D
- D= Down Stroke, U = Upstroke, N.C= No Chord
Track Info
- Song: American Pie
- Artist: Don McLean
- Written by Don McLean
- Produced by Ed Freeman
- Album: American Pie
- Released Date: 26 May 1971
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What key is American Pie in?
American Pie is in the key of G.
What chords do I need for American Pie?
You need G, D/F#, Em7, Am, C, Em, D, G/B, Am7, D7, A7, Cm to play American Pie by Don McLean.
Do I need a capo for American Pie?
No capo is needed to play American Pie by Don McLean.
How hard is American Pie to play on guitar?
American Pie by Don McLean is rated Intermediate. It includes some barre chords or slash chords.