Chords + Lyrics | Are You Gonna Go My Way
Intro
||: E7#9 riff | E7#9 riff :|| x8
Verse 1
||: E (blues scale riff) :|| x8
I was born long ago, I am the chosen, I’m the one.
I have come to save the day and I won’t leave until I’m done.
| G (blues scale riff) | G (riff) | G (riff) | (C G B G Bb G A G Bb B) |
So that’s why you’ve got to try, we’ve got to breathe and have some fun.
||: E (blues scale riff) :|| x4
Though I’m not paid, I play this game and I won’t stop until I’m done.
| Bm(add4) | A |
But what I really want to know is…
Chorus 1
| E D E | E G E |
Are you gonna go my way?
| Bm(add4) | A |
And I got to, got to know.
Instrumental
||: E7#9 (riff) | E7#9 (riff) :|| x4
Verse 2
I don’t know why we always cry, this we must leave and get undone.
We must engage and rearrange, and turn this planet back to one.
So tell me why we got to die and kill each other one by one.
We’ve got to hug and rub-a-dub, we’ve got to dance and be in love.
But what I really want to know is…
Chorus 2
| E D E | E G E |
Are you gonna go my way?
| Bm(add4) | A | A |
And I got to, got to know.
Breakdown/Solo
||: E5 D5 | C#5 D5 C#5 :|| x11
| E5 D5 | D | D |
||: E (blues scale riff):|| x8
| Bm(add4) | 2/4 A | 4/4 Bm(add4) | A |
Outro chorus
| E D E | E G E |
Are you gonna go my way?
| Bm(add4) | A | A | A |
‘Cause, baby, I got to know. Yeah.
Are You Gonna Go My Way Backing Tracks | Chord Analysis
Above, you’ll find backing tracks to use when learning Are You Gonna Go My Way. I’ve used stem separation to extract the guitar while keeping the drums, bass, keys, horns, and vocals intact.
After studying the chords and TAB, use my backing tracks to prepare for playing this tune with a band.
Chord Progressions – What’s Going On?
The main riff in Are You Gonna Go My Way revolves around the iconic Jimi Hendrix E7#9 chord and the E minor blues scale.
You play this riff throughout the intro and the first part of the verse. After a few lines, it shifts to G, followed by an alternating pattern between an open G string and the chromatic notes C – B – Bb – A – Bb – B, before returning to E.
The section ends on Bm(add4) – A, holding for one bar the first time, two bars the second time, and three bars at the very end.
Chorus
The chorus which almost feels like a turnaround as it features a mix of fast E – D and E – G chord movements before the Bm(add4) – A idea is recycled.
Breakdown + Solo
The only other section is the solo which introduces a C#5 chord after moving from E5 and D5 using a syncopated rhythm and some muted strums.
To get all these chords and riffs right you need TAB, find it further down this guitar lesson
Once you got the TAB down, you’ll realise what a straightforward tune this is – so much so that a full chord chart might overcomplicate things—chords placed above the lyrics may be all you need!
I’ll let you decide—here’s the chart.
Are You Gonna Go My Way Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
You can download my (slightly chaotic) chord chart as a static PDF, or in the flexible iReal Pro format where you get the chance to improve on the layout I came up with.
Are You Gonna Go My Way | TAB
Let’s work through all sections of Are You Gonna Go My Way, starting with the intro, which is the main riff.
Intro
Here’s the basic riff:
Personally, I prefer sliding:
Here’s the octave variation. If you’re the only guitarist in the band, try using an octave pedal—or, better yet, move up the neck and play it once or twice to add excitement:
Verse
The verse is more of the same. We move the riff to G before a chromatic shift brings us back to the main riff:
Notice the bass line movement added above the notation. The bass is super low in the mix—you can barely hear it!
Chorus
The chorus feels almost like a turnaround. You must nail the Bm(add4) and the rhythm of the A chord:
The E – D, then E – G movement is genius. D is a bVIIx, G is bIIIx—both classic rock ‘n’ roll chords. Pairing them with E7#9 shows how to blend minor and major effectively.
Breakdown/Solo
The breakdown introduces a C#5, suggesting E major, unlike the minor feel of the chorus. Lenny’s harmonic choices are clever!
Outro
The outro recycles the same riffs:
Once you can play all the TAB, stick the backing tracks on and play along with Lenny to get ready to rock this modern classic with your band.
This tune made Lenny Kravitz a Rock Legend
Released in 1993 as the title track of his third studio album, Are You Gonna Go My Way turned Lenny Kravitz into a superstar. Judging by his bold poses in the music video, it’s clear he was aiming for the top—and he got there.
Heavily inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Lenny crafted a timeless rock anthem that remains a staple on rock radio, playlists, and cover band setlists to this day. If you’re playing this in a band as the only guitarist, consider using an octave-up pedal to better capture the original sound.
While Are You Gonna Go My Way was the album’s only major hit, Kravitz’s career has been built on writing unforgettable songs. Alongside this track, American Woman, It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over, Always on the Run, Fly Away, and Let Love Rule have secured his place as one of rock’s defining artists. As with any legend, it’s the hits that carve out their lasting legacy.
Are You Gonna Go My Way Chords: Continue Learning
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Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
- Are You Gonna Be My Girl
- Crossroads
- I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
- Last Nite
- Molly’s Chambers
