Thank God I’m a Country Boy | TAB
There are essentially two progressions to come to terms with here and the best way to nail it is to focus on that alternating bass line. Here’s the verse:
||: A A/E | A D | A A/E | G5 D |
| A F#m | E D | 2/4 D/A |
|4/4 A E | A (A G# F#) :||
Using Roman Numerals, that’s I – IV – I – bVIIx – IV on the first line (with alternating bass!). The second line is the I – VI – V – IV (with an extra 2/4 bar!) The third line is I – V – I. Make sure you can hear this clearly.
Start with playing exactly as it says, and make sure you get all the bass line notes in, here’s TAB:
When you think you’ve got it, play along with the original recording at the top of the page, don’t worry about the last verse for now, just aim to keep up with the tempo!
Here’s the bridge, the second half is identical.
Apply the same process to learning this, start slowly, then aim to play along with the original recording. Here’s a metronome you can use.
Once both sections feel OK, look into the finer details using the chords and lyrics. For example, there’s a different bass line going down to the bridge.
In verse 8 and bridge 3, you need to hold the D chord for longer.
Thank God I’m A Country Boy TAB | Related Pages
Thank God I’m A Country Boy | Chords + Lyric
You can learn to play Thank God I’m A Country Boy by John Denver using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| A A/E | A D |
When the work’s all done and the sun’s settlin’ low…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
John Denver tunes
Country legend John Denver had his golden years during the late 60s and early 70s as he was recording other people’s tunes and writing his own.
His best work includes Leaving, on A Jet Plane, Take Me Home, Country Roads, Annie’s Song, and Thank God I’m a Country Boy.
John Denver on the web
About me | Dan Lundholm
This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm features TAB and covers Thank God I’m a Country Boy chords. Discover more about him and how you can learn guitar with Spytunes.
Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.