Dear John
View chords used in this chart
[(intro ]2x) E Asus2
E Asus2
Long were the nights when my days once revolved around you
E Asus2
Counting my footsteps, prayin' the floor won't fall through, again
B C#m B
My mother accused me of losing my mind
Asus2
But I swore I was fine
E Asus2
You paint me a blue sky and go back and turn it to rain
E Asus2
And I lived in your chess game but you changed the rules every day
B C#m B Asus2
Wonderin' which version of you I might get on the phone, tonight.
B C#m B Asus2
Well I stopped pickin' up and this song is to let you know why
E A
Dear John, I see it all now that you're gone.
C#m
Don't you think I was too young to be messed with?
B A
The girl in the dress cried the whole way home.
E Asus2
I shoulda known.
E Asus2
Well maybe it's me and my blind optimism to blame.
E Asus2
Maybe it's you and your sick need to give love then take it away.
B C#m B
And you'll add my name to your long list of traitors
Asus2
Who don't understand.
B C#m B
And I'll look back in regret how I ignored when they said
Asus2
"Run as fast as you can."
E A
Dear John, I see it all now that you're gone.
C#m
Don't you think I was too young to be messed with?
B A
The girl in the dress cried the whole way home.
E A
Dear John, I see it all now it was wrong.
C#m B
Don't you think nineteen's too young to be played by your dark twisted games
A
When I loved you so?
E Asus2
I shoulda known.
C#m
You are an expert at sorry
B
And keeping lines blurry
A
And never impressed by me acing your tests
C#m
All the girls that you run dry
B
Have tired lifeless eyes
A
'Cause you burned them out
B
But I took your matches
C#m B
Before fire could catch me
Asus2
So don't look now
B
I'm shining like fireworks
A E Asus2 C#m B A
Over your sad empty town
E A
Dear John, I see it all now that you're gone.
C#m
Don't you think I was too young to be messed with?
B A
The girl in the dress cried the whole way home.
E A
I see it all now that you're gone.
C#m
Don't you think I was too young to be messed with?
B Asus2
The girl in the dress wrote you a song.
E
You shoulda known.
Asus2
You shoulda known.
E Asus2
Don't you think I was too young?
E
You shoulda known.
How to play Dear John
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is E. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.