“Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams is a timeless rock anthem, instantly recognizable and beloved by generations. For guitar players, it’s also a fantastic song to learn, thanks to its catchy melody and relatively straightforward chord progression. If you’re looking for the guitar chords to Summer of ’69, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will provide you with everything you need to strum along to this iconic track and impress your friends.
The song primarily uses a set of common guitar chords that are perfect for beginners and seasoned players alike. You’ll be working with chords like D, A, Bm, and G, which are foundational in guitar playing and appear in countless popular songs. The bridge introduces F, Bb, and C, adding a little more flavour but still within the grasp of intermediate players.
Here are the chords for “Summer of ’69” arranged with the lyrics to help you follow along. The chords are positioned above the words where the chord change occurs.
Intro: D D
Verse 1:
D D
I got my first real six-string
A A
Bought it at the five and dime
D D
Played it ’til my fingers bled
A A
Was the summer of ’69
D D
Me and some guys from school
A A
Had a band and we tried real hard
D D
Jimmy quit, Joey got married
A A
I shoulda known we’d never get far
Chorus:
Bm A
Oh, when I look back now
D G
That summer seemed to last forever
Bm A
And if I had the choice
D G
Yeah, I’d always wanna be there
Bm A (hold)
Those were the best days of my life
D D A A
Verse 2:
D D
Ain’t no use in complaining
A A
When you got a job to do
D D
Spent my evenings down at the drive in
A A
And that’s when I met you
Chorus:
Bm A
Standin’ on your mama’s porch
D G
You told me that you’d wait forever
Bm A
Oh, and when you held my hand
D G
I knew that it was now or never
Bm A (hold)
Those were the best days of my life
D D A A D D A A
Oh yeah Back in the summer of ’69 Uh-huh
Bridge:
F Bb
Man, we were killing time
C Bb
We were young and restless We needed to unwind
F Bb C C
I guess nothing can last forever, forever, no
Interlude: D D A A D D A A
Verse 3:
D D
And now the times are changing
A A
Look at everything that’s come and gone
D D
Sometimes when I play that old six-string
A A
I think about you, wonder what went wrong
Chorus:
Bm A
Standing on your mama’s porch
D G
You told me that it’d last forever
Bm A
Oh, and when you held my hand
D G
I knew that it was now or never
Bm A (hold)
Those were the best days of my life
D D A A D D A A
Oh yeah Back in the summer of ’69 Uh-huh
Outro: D D A A D D A A D D A A D D A A D (hold)
Playing “Summer of ’69” is not just about knowing the guitar chords; it’s also about capturing the right feel. For strumming, a classic rock rhythm works perfectly. Try a down-down-up-down-up pattern or experiment to find what sounds best to your ear. The song is typically played in the key of D major and has a moderate tempo, making it accessible for learners.
“Summer of ’69” is an excellent choice for guitarists looking to expand their repertoire. It’s a fun, energetic song that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Practice these Guitar Chords To Summer Of 69, and you’ll be playing along in no time! Enjoy bringing this classic to life on your guitar.
