Squares Make The World Go Round - Roger Miller

Squares Make The World Go Round chords

[Intro]
D Dsus2 Dsus4 D   Dsus2 Dsus4 D

[Verse 1]
D
Take a little bitty town
A            D
Elect a Mayor of the little bitty town
G
A square little man to make it go around
A7                        D
Squares make the world go round

[Verse 2]
D
Pick out a state
D
Elect a Governor of the state
G
A square little man to make it go around
A7                        D      N.C.
Squares make the world go round (Hey)

[Chorus]
G                D

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Squares make the world go round
A7              D
Sounds profane, sounds profound
G                       D
But government things can't be made do
E7               A                A7  A
By hipsters wearin' rope-soled shoes

[Verse 3]
D
Take the whole world
A7          D
What does it take to make a whole world whirl?
G
What does it take to make the world whirl round?
A7                        D
Squares make the world go round

[Interlude]
D    A7    D

[Chorus]
G                D
Squares make the world go round
A7              D
Sounds profane, sounds profound
G                       D
But government things can't be made do
E7               A7               A7   D
By hipsters wearin' rope-soled shoes

[Verse 4]
D
Take the whole world
A7          D
What does it take to make a whole world whirl?
G
What does it take to make the world whirl round?
A7                        D
Squares make the world go round
G
What does it take to make the world whirl round?
A7                        D
Squares make the world go round

[Outro]
D Dsus2 Dsus4 D   Dsus2 Dsus4 D



How to play "Squares Make The World Go Round" {Chords} on acoustic guitar  
==================================

Song Overview:  
- Key: E Major (play in D shape with capo on 2nd fret)  
- Capo Position: 2nd fret  
- Difficulty Level: Beginner  

Chords Used:  
- D Major     (xx0232)  
- Dsus2       (xx0230)  
- Dsus4       (xx0233)  
- A Major     (x02220)  
- A7          (x02020)  
- G Major     (320003)  
- E7          (020100)  

- All chords are open-position and easy to play  

Strumming Pattern:  
- Tempo: 214 bpm (fast, lively)  
- Pattern: Down, Down-Up, Down-Up (D D-U D-U)  
- Keep strums quick and bouncy, like a gallop  

Sections Breakdown:

Intro:  
- Chord riff: D - Dsus2 - Dsus4 - D  
- Repeat this figure with rhythm to set the pace  

Verse 1:  
- D - A - D - G - A7 - D  
- Quick chord changes, keep wrist loose  
- Emphasize the beat on each chord change  

Verse 2:  
- D - G - A7 - D (same structure as verse 1)  
- Last “Hey” is unaccompanied, stop playing briefly  

Chorus:  
- G - D - A7 - D  
- G - D - E7 - A - A7  
- Chorus adds a jazzy E7 before A7  
- Use strong down strums on “Squares make the world”  

Verse 3:  
- Same as earlier verses  
- Keep momentum with consistent tempo  

Interlude:  
- D - A7 - D  
- Light strumming here for contrast  

Second Chorus:  
- Repeat chorus progression  
- Build intensity into the last verse  

Verse 4 & Outro:  
- Same as earlier  
- Ends with a chord riff from the intro  

Common Mistakes:  
- Skipping chord riff at start – practice Dsus2/4 changes  
- Rushing transitions – break it down slowly  
- Strumming too hard – lighten your touch for clarity  

General Tips:  
- Tuning: Standard EADGBE  
- Capo must be snug on fret 2  
- Keep fingers relaxed for quick chord shifts  
- Use a thin pick for quick up/down strokes  

Song Facts:  
"Squares Make the World Go Round" is from Roger Miller’s  
1964 debut album “Roger and Out.” The song is both a  
satirical and sincere ode to traditional values. It praises  
“square” people who follow the rules and maintain  
society’s systems while contrasting them with “hipsters.”  

Miller uses clever wordplay, humor, and a rollicking  
country rhythm to comment on mid-century culture.  
Though playful, the song reflects genuine admiration  
for structure, civic order, and responsibility.  

With lines like “government things can't be made do  
by hipsters wearin' rope-soled shoes,” it mocks  
counterculture coolness while recognizing the importance  
of convention in public roles. The tone is light-hearted  
But carries an undercurrent of patriotic pragmatism.  

Song Meaning:  
The lyrics break down responsibility from local  
government to global leadership. Each verse scales up  
from towns, to states to the world. “Squares” are  
metaphors for reliable, orderly people, necessary for  
societal stability and function.  

The chorus is catchy and paradoxical—being “square”  
is usually an insult, but Miller flips it to be praise.  
Hipsters symbolize chaos, while squares hold the world  
together. It's a charmingly ironic take on who   
keeps things running.  

Comparisons to previous works:  
Miller’s wit and economy of words here match his  
style in hits like “King of the Road.” Unlike some  
novelty songs, this one blends humor with commentary.  
It shows Miller’s skill at embedding satire in melody,  
as he often did in his early Nashville material.