“Proud Mary” is a classic song known for its catchy rhythm and sing-along chorus, and it’s a fantastic tune to learn on guitar. This guide breaks down the simple guitar chords you need to play this hit, perfect for beginners and anyone looking to enjoy this timeless track.
Simple Chords for a Classic Sound
“Proud Mary” primarily uses a set of straightforward chords that are common in many popular songs. You’ll be working with:
- D Major (D)
- A Major (A)
- B minor (Bm)
- C Major (C)
- G Major (G)
- F Major (F)
These chords are the foundation of the song and are relatively easy to master, making “Proud Mary” an excellent choice for guitarists of all levels.
‘Proud Mary’ Chord Progression Breakdown
Here’s how the chords are arranged throughout the song. Follow along, and you’ll be playing “Proud Mary” in no time!
Intro Strum:
|C A |C A |C A G F | F F D D | D D
This intro section sets the rhythm and feel of the song. Practice transitioning smoothly between these chords to get the intro groove down.
Verse 1 & 2:
D D D D Left a good job in the city, workin for the man every night and day
D D D D and I never lost one minute of sleepin’, worryin’ ’bout the way things might
A A Bm Bm have been. Big wheel a-keep on turnin’ Proud Mary keep on burnin’,
D D D D Roll – in’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river.
The verses use a repeating D chord progression for the first two lines, then move to A and Bm before returning to D for the iconic “rollin’ on the river” line.
Verse 2 (Chords):
D D D D Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis, pumped a lot of pain down in New
D D D Orleans, But I never saw the good side of the city, till I hitched a ride
D A A Bm on a river boat queen. Big wheel a-keep on turnin, Proud Mary keep on
Bm D D D D burnin, roll – in, rollin, rollin on the river.
Verse 2 follows a similar pattern to verse 1, with slight variations in the chord progression in the latter part of the verse leading into the “Proud Mary” line.
Verse Instrumental:
D D D D D D D D A A Bm Bm D D D D roll – in, rollin, rollin on the river.
This instrumental verse maintains the D, A, Bm, D chord sequence, allowing for a longer instrumental break.
Verse 3:
D D D D If you come down to the river, bet you’re gonna find some people who live,
D D D you don’t have to worry, cause you have no money, people on the river are
D A A Bm Bm happy to give. Big wheel keep on turnin, Proud Mary keep on burnin,
D D D D roll – in, rollin, rollin on the river.
D D D D roll – in, rollin, rollin on the river.
D D D D roll – in, rollin, rollin on the river.
D D D D (hold) roll – in, rollin, rollin on the river.
Verse 3 introduces a slight extension at the end, repeating the “rollin’ on the river” line and holding the final D chord.
Tips for Playing ‘Proud Mary’
- Strumming Pattern: A simple down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern works well for the verses. Experiment to find what feels right for you.
- Chord Transitions: Practice smooth transitions between D, A, and Bm chords, as these are frequently used in the song.
- Listen to the Original: Listen to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s version of “Proud Mary” to get a feel for the rhythm and timing.
“Proud Mary” is a fantastic song to add to your guitar repertoire. With these chords and structure, you’ll be playing along in no time. Enjoy playing this classic hit!
