Achy Breaky Heart Chords – Guitar
The 90s country line dance anthem uses only two chords throughout. Perfect for absolute beginners on any instrument.
Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↓↑
12345
Tip: Keep a steady boom-chicka country strum. Bass note on beats 1 and 3, full strum on 2 and 4.
How to play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn two chords
You need A and E. Both are open chords — easy shapes that every beginner learns first.
2
Get the country bounce
Strum with a boom-chicka pattern: hit the bass string on beat 1, then strum up on the and of 2. Keep it bouncy and fun.
3
Switch cleanly
The chord changes happen every 4 bars. You have plenty of time to prepare each switch. No rushing needed.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
You can tell the world you never was my girl,
A
You can burn my clothes when I’m gone.
A
Or you can tell your friends just what a fool I’ve been,
A
And laugh and joke about me on the phone.
Chorus
E
Don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
E
I just don’t think he’d understand.
A
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
A
He might blow up and kill this man.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Achy Breaky Heart"?
You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: A and E.
Is "Achy Breaky Heart" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Achy Breaky Heart" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Achy Breaky Heart"?
It was written by Billy Ray Cyrus.
Achy Breaky Heart Chords – Ukulele
The 90s country line dance anthem uses only two chords throughout. Perfect for absolute beginners on any instrument.
Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↓↑
12345
Tip: Keep a steady boom-chicka country strum. Bass note on beats 1 and 3, full strum on 2 and 4.
How to play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn two chords
You need A and E. Both are open chords — easy shapes that every beginner learns first.
2
Get the country bounce
Strum with a boom-chicka pattern: hit the bass string on beat 1, then strum up on the and of 2. Keep it bouncy and fun.
3
Switch cleanly
The chord changes happen every 4 bars. You have plenty of time to prepare each switch. No rushing needed.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
You can tell the world you never was my girl,
A
You can burn my clothes when I’m gone.
A
Or you can tell your friends just what a fool I’ve been,
A
And laugh and joke about me on the phone.
Chorus
E
Don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
E
I just don’t think he’d understand.
A
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
A
He might blow up and kill this man.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Achy Breaky Heart"?
You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: A and E.
Is "Achy Breaky Heart" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Achy Breaky Heart" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Achy Breaky Heart"?
It was written by Billy Ray Cyrus.
Achy Breaky Heart Chords – Piano
The 90s country line dance anthem uses only two chords throughout. Perfect for absolute beginners on any instrument.
Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↓↑
12345
Tip: Keep a steady boom-chicka country strum. Bass note on beats 1 and 3, full strum on 2 and 4.
How to play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn two chords
You need A and E. Both are open chords — easy shapes that every beginner learns first.
2
Get the country bounce
Strum with a boom-chicka pattern: hit the bass string on beat 1, then strum up on the and of 2. Keep it bouncy and fun.
3
Switch cleanly
The chord changes happen every 4 bars. You have plenty of time to prepare each switch. No rushing needed.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
You can tell the world you never was my girl,
A
You can burn my clothes when I’m gone.
A
Or you can tell your friends just what a fool I’ve been,
A
And laugh and joke about me on the phone.
Chorus
E
Don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
E
I just don’t think he’d understand.
A
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
A
He might blow up and kill this man.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Achy Breaky Heart"?
You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: A and E.
Is "Achy Breaky Heart" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Achy Breaky Heart" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Achy Breaky Heart"?
It was written by Billy Ray Cyrus.
Achy Breaky Heart Chords – Banjo
The 90s country line dance anthem uses only two chords throughout. Perfect for absolute beginners on any instrument.
Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↓↑
12345
Tip: Keep a steady boom-chicka country strum. Bass note on beats 1 and 3, full strum on 2 and 4.
How to play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn two chords
You need A and E. Both are open chords — easy shapes that every beginner learns first.
2
Get the country bounce
Strum with a boom-chicka pattern: hit the bass string on beat 1, then strum up on the and of 2. Keep it bouncy and fun.
3
Switch cleanly
The chord changes happen every 4 bars. You have plenty of time to prepare each switch. No rushing needed.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
You can tell the world you never was my girl,
A
You can burn my clothes when I’m gone.
A
Or you can tell your friends just what a fool I’ve been,
A
And laugh and joke about me on the phone.
Chorus
E
Don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
E
I just don’t think he’d understand.
A
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
A
He might blow up and kill this man.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Achy Breaky Heart"?
You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: A and E.
Is "Achy Breaky Heart" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Achy Breaky Heart" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Achy Breaky Heart"?
It was written by Billy Ray Cyrus.
Achy Breaky Heart Chords – Mandolin
The 90s country line dance anthem uses only two chords throughout. Perfect for absolute beginners on any instrument.
Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↓↑
12345
Tip: Keep a steady boom-chicka country strum. Bass note on beats 1 and 3, full strum on 2 and 4.
How to play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn two chords
You need A and E. Both are open chords — easy shapes that every beginner learns first.
2
Get the country bounce
Strum with a boom-chicka pattern: hit the bass string on beat 1, then strum up on the and of 2. Keep it bouncy and fun.
3
Switch cleanly
The chord changes happen every 4 bars. You have plenty of time to prepare each switch. No rushing needed.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
You can tell the world you never was my girl,
A
You can burn my clothes when I’m gone.
A
Or you can tell your friends just what a fool I’ve been,
A
And laugh and joke about me on the phone.
Chorus
E
Don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
E
I just don’t think he’d understand.
A
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
A
He might blow up and kill this man.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Achy Breaky Heart"?
You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: A and E.
Is "Achy Breaky Heart" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Achy Breaky Heart" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Achy Breaky Heart"?
It was written by Billy Ray Cyrus.
Achy Breaky Heart Chords – Harmonica
The 90s country line dance anthem uses only two chords throughout. Perfect for absolute beginners on any instrument.
Strumming Pattern (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↓↑
12345
Tip: Keep a steady boom-chicka country strum. Bass note on beats 1 and 3, full strum on 2 and 4.
How to play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn two chords
You need A and E. Both are open chords — easy shapes that every beginner learns first.
2
Get the country bounce
Strum with a boom-chicka pattern: hit the bass string on beat 1, then strum up on the and of 2. Keep it bouncy and fun.
3
Switch cleanly
The chord changes happen every 4 bars. You have plenty of time to prepare each switch. No rushing needed.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
A
You can tell the world you never was my girl,
A
You can burn my clothes when I’m gone.
A
Or you can tell your friends just what a fool I’ve been,
A
And laugh and joke about me on the phone.
Chorus
E
Don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
E
I just don’t think he’d understand.
A
And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart,
A
He might blow up and kill this man.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Achy Breaky Heart"?
You need 2 beginner-friendly chords: A and E.
Is "Achy Breaky Heart" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 2 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Achy Breaky Heart" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Achy Breaky Heart"?
It was written by Billy Ray Cyrus.