The American Way
View chords used in this chart
***** CAPO 2nd fret*****
Intro - A-D - A - D - E - A
(verse 1)
A E D A
I grew up under normal conditions,
E D E
Mom was the radio, Dad was the television,
A E D E
They both were doin the best that they could,
A E D A
Workin 50 hour a weeks and knockin on wood,
(Break - A-D - A - D - E - A)
(verse 2)
A E D A
I did my time in the public school system,
E D E
I got good grades, and never got a shred of wisdom,
A E D E
Can't blame my teachers, for anything they did,
A E D A
You can't teach one on one with 33 kids,
(chorus)
A E D A
And it's oohh - oohh I'm doin alright,
E D A
I work every day to get to Saturday Night,
A E D A
And it's oohh - oohh I' guess I'm doin ok,
E D A
Livin and Dyin the American way,
(verse 3)
well I found the one, we put some rooms down,
Got a second mortgage on the outskirts of town,
Now we BBQ every Fourth of July,
Send our prayers and our fireworks up into the sky,
(chorus)
A E D A
And it's oohh - oohh I'm doin alright,
E D A
I work every day to get to Saturday Night,
A E D A
And it's oohh - oohh I' guess I'm doin ok,
E D A
Livin and Lovin the American way,
(lead - D - A - D - A - D - A - E)
(bridge)
F#m E
These days we're thinkin about kids of our own,
D E
Gonna turn this house into a home,
A E
In no time at all they'll be singin along,
(chorus)
A E D A
oohh - oohh I'm doin alright,
E D A
I work every day to get to Saturday Night,
A E D A
And it's oohh - oohh I' guess I'm doin ok,
E D A
Livin and Lovin the American way,
(chorus)
A E D A
And it's oohh - oohh I'm doin alright,
E D A
I work every day to get to Saturday Night,
A E D A
And it's oohh - oohh I' guess I'm doin ok,
E D A
Livin and Dyin the American way,
E D A
Livin and Lovin the American way,
Outro - A - D-(D) - A - D - E - A
CD: Waitin on the Wonderful (2005)
chords by: palamin0@countrytabs.com
How to play The American Way
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 A. 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.