Atap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
A · E
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.
Atap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
A · E
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.
Atap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
A · E
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.
Atap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
A · E
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.
Atap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
A · E
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.
Atap to play
Etap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
A · E
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.