How to Play "American Pie" on Your Guitar

G D Em

A long, long time ago,

Am C Em Dsus-D

I can still remember how that music used to make me smile

G D Em

And I know if I had my chance,

Am C Em A7 D-Dsus

That I could make those people dance and maybe they'd be happy for a while

Em Am Em Am

But February made me shiver, with every paper I'd deliver

C C/B Am C D

Bad news on the doorstep, I couldn't take one more step

G D Em C D

I can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride

G D Em

Something touched me deep inside

C D G

The day the music died


CHORUS

G- C- G- D-

So bye, bye Miss American Pie

G- C- G- D-

Drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry

G- C- G- D-

And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

Em A7 Em D-Dsus

Singin' this will be the day that I die, this will be the day that I die




VERSE

G- Am-

Did you write the book of love

C- Am- Em- D-

And do you have faith in god above, if the bible tells you so?

G- D- Em-

Do you believe in rock and roll

Am7- C- Em- A- D

Can music save your mortal soul and can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Em D Em D

Well I know that you're in love with him 'cuz I saw you dancin' in the gym

C C/B A7 C D7

You both kicked off your shoes, man I dig those rhythm and blues

G- D- Em- Am- C-

I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck with a pink carnation and a pickup truck

G- D- Em- C- D- G- C- G-

But I knew I was out of luck the day the music died, I started singin'


CHORUS

G- C- G- D-

So bye, bye Miss American Pie

G- C- G- D-

Drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry

G- C- G- D-

And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

Em A7 Em D-Dsus

Singin' this will be the day that I die, this will be the day that I die


VERSE-All loose(-)

G Am

Now for ten years we've been on our own,

C Am Em D

and moss grows fat on a rolling stone but that's not how it used to be

G D Em

When the jester sang for the king and queen

Am7 C Em A7 D

in a coat he borrowed from James Dean in a voice that came from you and me

Em+ D+ Em+ D+

And while the king was looking down, the jester stole his thorny crown

C G A7 C D7

The courtroom was adjourned, no verdict was returned

G D Em Am C

And while Lenin read a book on Marx, the quartet practiced in the park

G D Em C D7 G C G

And we sang dirges in the dark the day the music died, we were singin'


CHORUS

G C G D

So bye, bye Miss American Pie

G C G D