The American Dream
View chords used in this chart
C9 G D
I was born in Coastal Maine
C9 G D
Then moved away south of LA
C9 G D
San Diego knows my name (yo, what up Zach?)
C9 G D
But now I live in cars and planes
C9 G D
These long drives long flights
C9 G D
I wouldn't trade for anything
G D Em7
Everybody wanna piece Americana (U.S.A.)
C9
But she don't come so easily
G D
All the kids are gonna do what they wanna
Em7
Oh oh
C9
And when we get older we can sing
G
Oh whoa whoa
D
Oh whoa oh
Em7 C9
We all around the world living The American Dream yeah
G
Oh whoa whoa
D
Oh whoa oh
Em7 C9
We all around the world living The American Dream
C9 G D
Almost died in Carolina
C9 G D
Crashed the van, it caught on fire
C9 G D
If you've been down and out throw up your lighters
C9 G D
We're a little older, little brighter
C9 G D
Time goes by, time flies
C9 G D
So don't you wait for anything
G D Em7
Everybody wanna piece Americana (U.S.A.)
C9
But she don't come so easily
G D
All the kids are gonna do what they wanna
Em7
Oh oh
C9
And when we get older we can sing
G
Oh whoa whoa
D
Oh whoa oh
Em7 C9
We all around the world living The American Dream yeah
G
Oh whoa whoa
D
Oh whoa oh
Em7 C9
We all around the world living The American Dream
C9 G
Most of my friends got college loans
D
Sending them my love from the road
C9 G
Got souvenirs from 50 states
D
Little magnets that say my name
C9 G
Am I famous? Eh, not quite.
D
But shameless? You got that right.
C9 G
A toast you your wife, toast to your life
D
Toast to the night, start it off right
G
Oh whoa whoa
D
Oh whoa oh
Em7 C9
We all around the world living The American Dream yeah
G
Oh whoa whoa
D
Oh whoa oh
Em7 C9
We all around the world living The American Dream
G D Em7
Everybody wanna piece Americana (U.S.A.)
C9
But she don't come so easily
G D
All the kids are gonna do what they wanna
Em7
Oh oh
C9
And when we get older we can sing
G
Oh whoa whoa
D
Oh whoa oh
Em7 C9
We all around the world living The American Dream yeah
G
Oh whoa whoa
D
Oh whoa oh
Em7 C9
We all around the world living The American Dream
How to play The American Dream
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 C9. 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.