American Pie Chords | Don McLean Guitar Lesson


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American Pie | Chords + Lyrics


Intro

| G D/F# Em | Am C | Em D Dsus4 | 2/4 Dsus2 D |
A long long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile.
| G D/F# Em | Am C | Em C | D Dsus4 D Dsus2 |
And I knew if I had my chance, that I could make those people dance, and maybe they’d be happy for a while.
| Em Am | Em Am | C Gsus4/B Am | C D |
But February made me shiver, with every paper I’d deliver, bad news on the doorstep, I couldn’t take one more step.
| G D/F# Em | C D | G D/F# Em | C D | G |
I can’t remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride, but something touched me deep inside, the day the music died.

Chorus 1

| G C | G D | G C | G D |
So bye-bye Miss American Pie, drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
| G C | G D |
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing.
| Em | A7 | Em | D Dsus2 D | Dsus4 D Dsus2 D |
This’ll be the day that I die. This’ll be the day that I die.

Verse 1

| G | Am | C | Am | Em | D Dsus2 D | Dsus4 D Dsus2 D Dsus4 |
Did you write the Book of Love and do you have faith in God above, if the Bible tells you so.
| G D/F# | Em | Am | C | Em | Am | D Dsus2 D | Dsus4 D Dsus2 D Dsus4 |
Do you believe in rock n’ roll, can music save your mortal soul, and can you teach me how to dance real slow.
| Em | D | Em | D |
Well, I know that you’re in love with him, ’cause I saw you dancing in the gym.
| C Gsus4/B | Am | C | D Dsus4 |
You both kicked off your shoes, man I dig those rhythm & blues.
| G D/F# | Em | Am | C |
I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck, with a pink carnation and a pickup truck,
| G D/F# | Em | C | D | G C | G D Dsus4 |
but I knew I was out of luck, the day the music died.

Chorus 2

So bye-bye Miss American Pie, drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing.
This’ll be the day that I die. This’ll be the day that I die.

Verse 2

Now for ten years we’ve been on our own, and moss grows fat on a rolling stone, but that’s not how it used to be.
When the Jester sang for the King and Queen, in a coat, he borrowed from James Dean, in a voice that came from you and me.
Oh, and while the King was looking down, the Jester stole his thorny crown.
The courtroom was adjourned, no verdict was returned.
And while Lenin read a book on Marx, the quartet practiced in the park.
And we sang dirges in the dark, the day the music died. We were singing.

Chorus 3

Bye-bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing.
This’ll be the day that I die. This’ll be the day that I die.

Verse 3

Helter Skelter in a summer swelter, the birds flew off with a fallout shelter, eight miles high and falling fast.
It landed foul on the grass, the players tried for a forward pass, with the Jester on the sidelines in a cast.
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume, while the Sergeants played a marching tune.
We all got up to dance, but we never got the chance.
‘Cause the players tried to take the field, the marching band refused to yield.
Do you recall what was revealed, the day the music died. We started singing.

Chorus 4

Bye-bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing.
This’ll be the day that I die. This’ll be the day that I die.

Verse 4

Oh, and there we were all in one place, a generation lost in space, with no time left to start again.
So come on, Jack, be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack Flash sat on a candlestick, ’cause fire is the devil’s only friend.
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage.
No angel born in Hell, could break that Satan’s spell.
And as flames climbed high into the night, to light the sacrificial rite,
I saw Satan laughing with delight, the day the music died.

Chorus 5

He was singing, bye-bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing.
This’ll be the day that I die. This’ll be the day that I die.

Verse 5 (slow)

| G D/F# Em | Am C | Em D | 2/4 Dsus2 D |
I met a girl who sang the blues and I asked her for some happy news but she just smiled and turned away.
| G D/F# Em | Am Em | Em C | Dsus4 D Dsus2 D |
I went down to the sacred store, where I’d heard the music years before but the man there said the music wouldn’t play.
| Em Am | Em Am | C Gsus4/B Am | C D | 2/4 Dsus2 D |
And in the streets the children screamed, the lovers cried and the poets dreamed. But not a word was spoken, the church bells all were broken.
| G D/F# Em | C D | G D/F# Em | C D | G |
And the three men I admire most, the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, they caught the last train for the coast, the day the music died. And they were singin’.

Chorus 6

Bye-bye Miss American Pie, drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing.
This’ll be the day that I die. This’ll be the day that I die. They were singing.

Chorus 7

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie, drove my chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry.
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye.
| C D | G C G | G |
Singing this’ll be the day that I die.


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American Pie Chords: Learn the progressions


The many chord progressions in American Pie can be tricky to memorise, as the same chords are used in various combinations throughout the song.

Thinking of them as Roman numerals can help, as each numeral has a distinct sound. Once you tune into this, you’ll start to hear where the progression naturally wants to move.

On my Top 10 Chord Progression List, American Pie lands in three positions:

  • #1 spot: The I – IV progression (G – C)
  • #2 spot: The IV – V progression (C – D)
  • #10 spot: The VI – II progression (Em – Am)

One of the more unique elements of the song is an X chord, where a chord that would traditionally be minor is played as a major chord instead.


Sections to Explore

There are three main sections to investigate. The intro, which closely resembles the outro, moves through the chords of G major. The first line establishes much of the song’s movement:

| G (I) D/F# (V/3) Em (VI) | Am (II) C (IV) | Em (VI) D (V) Dsus4 | 2/4 Dsus2 D |

For the next line, the IV chord is introduced, and the 2/4 bar is skipped:

| G D/F# Em | Am C | Em C (IV) | D Dsus4 D Dsus2 |

Next, the progression moves from VI – II, followed by a descending motion from chord IV:

| Em (VI) Am (II) | Em Am | C (IV) Gsus4/B (I/3) Am (II) | C (IV) D (V) |

Finally, the last line begins like the intro but then alternates between IV – V before resolving to I:

| G D/F# Em | C D | G D/F# Em | C D | G |

By establishing most of the song’s harmonic movement early, these progressions guide the listener through the tune’s journey.



American Pie Chords (Continued)

The chorus offers a stark contrast to the more intricate intro—it’s super simple:

||: G (I) C (IV) | G (I) D (V) :||x3

Next, we encounter the only chord outside the key: a IIx (A7).

| Em (VI) | A7 (IIx) | Em | D (V) Dsus2 D | Dsus4 D Dsus2 D |

The Verse

The verse is an epic section, reminiscent of the intro but played at tempo. Let’s explore what’s new.

Here’s the first line:

| G (I) | Am (II) | C (IV) | Am (II) | Em (VI) | D (V) Dsus2 D | Dsus4 D Dsus2 D Dsus4 |

This progression introduces brand-new movement, with only the D chord at the end providing familiarity. It’s tempting to describe the D chord as a Dadd2/4, given the inclusion of the 3rd alongside the 2nd and 4th.

Here’s the next line:

| G D/F# | Em | Am | C | Em | Am | D Dsus2 D | Dsus4 D Dsus2 D Dsus4 |

This is identical to the intro’s first line—an ingenious callback!

Subtle Variations

One of the most effective moments comes next. Instead of the chorus’s Em – A7 – Em – D, we subtly switch to Em – D twice:

| Em (VI) | D (V)| Em | D |

The next line is another clever nod to the intro:

| C Gsus4/B | Am | C | D Dsus4 |

The final two lines follow this pattern:

| G D/F# | Em | Am | C |
| G D/F# | Em | C | D | G C | G D Dsus4 |


Memorisation Tips

As you can see, the song masterfully reuses the same chords in different ways—recalling earlier sections, introducing subtle changes, and then repeating them again.

While it’s nearly impossible to memorise every detail, try listening closely to the melody as you play. Let the song guide you—trust the force!

For those who prefer a visual reference, here’s a three-page chord chart to keep handy if you can’t memorise or “feel it” just yet.


American Pie chord chart, page 1.

American Pie chord chart, page 2.

American Pie chord chart, page 3.


American Pie Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro


I’ve created an epic chart for American Pie that you can download as a PDF. Feel free to print it or use a PDF reader (I recommend Gigbook, which is what I use): American Pie Chord Chart PDF.

The chart was made using iRealPro, and you can access the file here:

With the iRealPro app, you can easily change the key or even adjust the arrangement to suit your needs.

Since this chord chart spans three pages, you might want to use a page-turner device like the AirTurn PEDpro for a seamless experience.

At this point, you might be thinking it’s easier just to memorise American Pie’s chords!

In the course, we take a deeper dive with TABs and play-along loops to master American Pie. Below is a preview.


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American Pie TAB | Course Preview


Once you’ve familiarised yourself with all the chords in American Pie, the real challenge emerges: how to play them on a single acoustic guitar.

Above, you’ll find a play-along loop of the TAB shown below.

American Pie chorus chords and TAB, example 1.

Members practise along to these types of loops for each section of the song. Try it out for yourself, and you’ll get a feel for what it’s like to learn guitar with Spytunes.

One chord that stands out here is the A7, the IIx I mentioned earlier.

It’s a clever choice, especially with the lyrics “this will be the day that I die.” By shifting to a major chord rather than the expected minor, Don McLean creates contrast—“die” would typically be minor (sad), but by using a major chord (happy), he adds an unexpected twist.

Following this first example of how to play the chorus, you’ll find another demonstration in the full lesson, showing a different way to approach it.

This is followed by 7 additional steps, where we explore how to play the verse, intro, and outro before performing the complete song with a singer.

But we don’t stop there. Once you can play it in its original key, we put a capo on fret 7 and shift to thinking in the key of C. Additional lessons are included for how to play all sections in this key, with more TAB loops to help you along.

When you’ve mastered the second guitar part, you, me, and the singer can form an acoustic trio and perform this song together.

Here’s a link to the 8 step-by-step guitar lessonsAmerican Pie – Guitar Lessons with TAB.



American Pie is the song about the day the music died!

American Pie tells the story of a pivotal moment in music history—the tragic death of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper in a plane crash on February 3rd, 1959. At the time, a young Don McLean was working as a paperboy, unaware that this event would shape his career and fuel the creation of his iconic song.

McLean captures the emotional impact of the loss, framing it within a narrative that resonates across generations. The song’s sing-along chorus, which remains a standout feature, helped cement its place in popular culture.

When asked about the meaning of the song, McLean described it as “poetry” rather than analysis, highlighting the song’s ability to evoke feeling rather than be dissected.

For McLean, American Pie became more than just a hit; it transformed his career, offering him financial freedom and success.

Ultimately, the song serves as a tribute to the three artists whose legacy lives on through McLean’s lyrics, ensuring their influence continues to be felt in the world of music.



American Pie Chords | Related Pages


American Pie | 8 Step-by-step Guitar Lessons + TAB

American Pie 8 step-by-step guitar lessons with TAB.

What’s more iconic than American Pie? This song truly comes to life when you play it.

Let’s break down each section, practise with loops, and then add a second guitar part so we can perform this classic together.


Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics

When you can play American Pie's chords, try these five tunes from the song book.


Don McLean tunes

Don McLean wrote American Pie.

Don McLean is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his 1971 hits American Pie and Vincent.

After his indie label, Media Arts, was sold to United Artists, McLean found himself with an unexpected opportunity to record his second album for a major label.


Don McLean on the web

Listen to Don McLean on Spotify.


About me | Dan Lundholm

Dan Lundholm wrote this guitar lesson about American Pie's chords.

This was a guitar lesson about American Pie‘s chords, by Dan Lundholm. Discover more about him and how you can learn guitar with Spytunes.

Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not by practising scales or studying theory in isolation.


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