Are You Gonna Go My Way | Chords + Lyrics
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.
| Bm11 | A |
But what I really want to know is…
Chorus 1
| E D E | E G E |
Are you gonna go my way?
| Bm11 | 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?
| Bm11 | A | A |
And I got to, got to know.
Breakdown/Solo
||: E5 D5 | C#5 D5 C#5 :|| x11. iiiii iiiii i
| E5 D5 | D | D |
||: E (blues scale riff) :|| x8
| Bm11 | 2/4 A | 4/4 Bm11 | A |
Outro chorus
| E D E | E G E |
Are you gonna go my way?
| Bm11 | A | A | A |
‘Cause, baby, I got to know. Yeah.
Are You Gonna Go My Way Chords: Master the Iconic Riffs and Progressions
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 Bm11 – A, holding for one bar the first time, two bars the second time, and three bars at the very end.
The chorus features a mix of fast E – D and E – G chord movements.
For such a straightforward song, 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
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 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 | Related Pages
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