Good Times | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
||: Em7 | E7sus4 | Asus4 | A6 :||
Chorus 1
||: Em7 | E7sus4 | Asus4 | A6 :||
Good times, these are the good times,
leave your cares behind, these are the good times.
Good times, these are the good times,
our new state of mind, these are the good times.
Verse 1
||: Em7 | Em7 (E7sus4) | Asus4 | Asus4 (A6) :||
Happy days are here again.
The time is right for makin’ friends.
Let’s get together, how ’bout a quarter to ten?
Come tomorrow, let’s all do it again.
Boys will be boys, better let them have their toys.
Girls will be girls, cute ponytails and curls.
Must put an end to this stress and strife.
I think I want to live the sporting life.
Chorus 2
Good times, these are the good times,
leave your cares behind, these are the good times.
Good times, these are the good times,
our new state of mind, these are the good times.
Verse 2
A rumor has it that it’s getting late.
Time marches on, just can’t wait.
The clock keeps turning, why hesitate?
You silly fool; you can’t change your fate.
Let’s cut a rug, a little jive and jitterbug.
We want the best, we won’t settle for less.
Don’t be a drag, participate.
Clams on the half shell, and roller skates, roller skates.
Chorus 3
Good times, these are the good times,
leave your cares behind, these are the good times.
Good times, these are the good times,
our new state of mind, these are the good times.
Good times.
Instrumental
||: Em7 | E7sus4 | Asus4 | A6 :|| x6 (bass only)
||: Em7 | E7sus4 | Asus4 | A6 :|| x8 (keyboards)
||: Em7 | E7sus4 | Asus4 | A6 :|| x6 (guitar)
Verse 3
A rumor has it that it’s getting late.
Time marches on, just can’t wait.
The clock keeps turning, why hesitate?
You silly fool; you can’t change your fate.
Let’s cut a rug, a little jive, and jitterbug.
We want the best, we won’t settle for less.
Don’t be a drag, participate.
Clams on the half shell, and roller skates, roller skates.
Chorus 4
Good times, these are the good times,
leave your cares behind, these are the good times.
Good times, these are the good times,
our new state of mind, these are the good times.
Good times, these are the good times,
leave your cares behind, these are the good times.
Good times, these are the good times,
our new state of mind, these are the good times.
Good times, these are the good times,
leave your cares behind, these are the good times.
Good times, these are the good times.
Good Times Chords: The Groove That Keeps On Rolling
At its core, Good Times is built on a simple II – V progression, shifting between Em and A—a classic choice when you want people to dance.
Since Em feels like the tonal centre, we can say that Good Times is in Dorian, much like I Wish.
The chords are extended, with these extensions forming the main riff.
Chorus
The chorus alternates between:
Em7 – Em7sus4 → Asus4 – A6
Verse
During the verse, these extensions reappear but the guitar stays on Em7, only the keyboard play E7sus4.
Good Times is perfect for a party—the groove is seemingly easy to lock into. If successful, you can stretch it out for as long as you like. Instead of worrying about chord progressions, dynamics in the arrangement keep things fresh—happy days!
Below is a chord chart, you’ll probably only need it for the structure, Good Times chords are so easy to remember.
Remembering aside, playing the chords authentically and well is another matter, the more you listen in on the detail of Nile’s playing, the more intimidating it gets.
I’ve designed some TAB for you, which once mastered, should set you on a path of improvised funk rhythm playing, here’s a link: Good Times – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Good Times Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Would you like to download my chord chart as a PDF and/or as an iReal Pro file?
Good Times TAB | Course Preview
In the course, you get TAB for both sections, the verse being by far the most complex. As a preview, below is the chorus, this is that signature section we all know and love.
Notice the little dots above the 8th notes, they mean to play short, like a 16th note. The dampening happens by removing the pressure on the strings in the fretting hand.
One of the Most Sampled Songs in Music History
Reaching #1 in 1979, Good Times became one of Chic and Nile Rodgers’ signature songs.
Still a staple on the radio, in DJ sets, and performed by Disco/Soul bands worldwide, its lasting legacy is undeniable.
Most famously, Good Times is one of the most sampled songs in history, largely due to its huge breakdown section—most notably featured in Rapper’s Delight by Sugarhill Gang.
Study the chords and lyrics carefully to see how Nile and the gang built this timeless classic!
Good Times Chords | Related Pages
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: Good Times (Chic) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
