Capo 1st fret.
The band plays this song with the capo at 3rd fret.
To do so transpose -2 steps.
[Intro]
G D G A D
[Verse 1]
D G
Wake up again in a old motel, is it somewhere different I can’t tell
A G D
Every set of curtains opens to the open road
G
And I’m missing you like hell, this van is like a prison cell
A G D
And I know you have gone with her and I can’t go back home
[Chorus]
Bm7 G D
I’ve been American dreaming, oooo
Bm7 G D
I’m American dreaming, oooo
Bm7 G
I’m American dreaming, ooo
A D
But, I never seem to get no rest
[Verse 2]
D G
I should get some rest today then pack my bags, be on my way
A G D
But my minds always working on the way it could have been
G
Trying to tow a tight rope line, find a way to feel half fine
A G D
Without drowning in this wine, and calling you again
[Chorus]
Bm7 G D
I’ve been American dreaming, oooo
Bm7 G D
I’m American dreaming, oooo
Bm7 G
I’m American dreaming, ooo
A D
But, I never seem to get no rest
[Interlude]
G D G A D
[Verse 3]
D G
I’m losing touch with all my friends, the ones who remind me who I am
A G D
If I could just get back home to pick up where we left off
G
I’d take better care of myself, I’d stop drinking from the bottom shelf
A G D
But my old wheels keep spinning and I cannot make them stop
[Chorus]
Bm7 G D
I’ve been American dreaming, oooo
Bm7 G D
I’m American dreaming, oooo
Bm7 G
I’m American dreaming, ooo
A D
But, I never seem to get no rest
[Verse 4]
D G
So, I get back home and try to be someone that’s something like me
A G D
But, I’ve forgotten all my angels out here in the wind
G
Sitting out here with my mind I meditate to pass the time
A G Bm
But there’s something inside setting sail all over again
[Interlude]
G D G A D
G D G
Ooo, ooo
A D
Ooo, ooo
[Out-Chorus]
Bm7 G D
I’ve been American dreaming, oooo
Bm7 G D
I’m American dreaming, oooo
Bm7 G
I’m American dreaming, ooo
A D
But, I never seem to get no rest
Bm7 G D
Oh, I’m American dreaming, oooo
Bm7 G D
I’m American dreaming, oooo
Bm7 G
I’m American dreaming, ooo
A D
But, I never seem to get no rest
Intro
You'll start with strumming a G chord, then move to D, return to G, then play an A,
and finish with D again. This sequence sets the mood for the song.
Verse 1
For the first verse, you begin with a D chord as you sing about waking up in a motel.
You'll switch to G when reflecting on the open road and the curtains, then move
to A and back to G as you express longing and a sense of being trapped.
End this verse on D, emphasizing the feeling of not being able to go back home.
Chorus
The chorus introduces a more reflective and dreamy mood with the Bm7 chord,
highlighting the "American dreaming" theme. After Bm7, you'll switch
to G and then D, capturing the essence of the dream and the search for rest.
This pattern repeats with the addition of moving to A before concluding on D,
underlining the sense of unrest.
Verses 2, 3, and 4
Follow the pattern established in the first verse. These verses further
explore themes of restlessness, lost love, and introspection. Your chord
progression (D to G, A to G, and back to D) supports the storytelling,
reflecting the emotional landscape of the lyrics.
Outro
The outro revisits the intro's chord progression (G, D, G, A, D), bringing
a sense of closure to the song. It's a moment to reflect on the journey
you've just played and sung about.
Tips for Playing
- Let the emotions of the lyrics guide your strumming intensity and tempo.
The chords are there to support the story, so play them in a way that
enhances the narrative.
- Practice the transitions between chords smoothly to maintain the flow of the song.
- Listen to the original track to get a feel for how the chords work with the lyrics,
and try to capture the same emotion in your playing.
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