Tom PettyBeginnerKey of D4 Chords3 min readUpdated
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Atap to play
Emtap to play
Key
D
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
D · G · A · Em
American Girl Chords – Guitar
Tom Petty’s classic rock anthem about freedom and youthful energy. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.
Classic Rock Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with driving energy. This song is all about attitude and forward momentum — keep the strum tight and confident.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
DE
Well, she was an American girl
GAD
Raised on promises
DE
She couldn’t help thinkin’ that there was a
GAD
Little more to life somewhere else
Chorus
GA
After all it was a great big world
DBm
With lots of places to run to
GA
Yeah, and if she had to die tryin’
DA
She had one little promise she was gonna keep
Verse 2
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
Verse 3
DE
Well, it was kind of cold that night
GAD
She stood alone on the balcony
DE
Yeah, she could hear the cars roll by
GA
Out on Four-Forty-One
D
Like waves crashin’ on the beach
Chorus
GA
And for one desperate moment there
DBm
He crept back in her memory
GA
God, it’s so painful
DA
Something that’s so close
And still so far out of reach
Outro
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
GAD
She was an American girl
Practice tip: The D-E-G-A verse progression drives the whole song. The E chord is the only potential stumble — make sure your index finger is well-placed on the G string, 1st fret.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Girl"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "American Girl" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Girl" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "American Girl"?
It was written by Tom Petty, and released in 1976.
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Atap to play
Emtap to play
Key
D
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
D · G · A · Em
American Girl Chords – Ukulele
Tom Petty’s classic rock anthem about freedom and youthful energy. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.
Classic Rock Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with driving energy. This song is all about attitude and forward momentum — keep the strum tight and confident.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
DE
Well, she was an American girl
GAD
Raised on promises
DE
She couldn’t help thinkin’ that there was a
GAD
Little more to life somewhere else
Chorus
GA
After all it was a great big world
DBm
With lots of places to run to
GA
Yeah, and if she had to die tryin’
DA
She had one little promise she was gonna keep
Verse 2
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
Verse 3
DE
Well, it was kind of cold that night
GAD
She stood alone on the balcony
DE
Yeah, she could hear the cars roll by
GA
Out on Four-Forty-One
D
Like waves crashin’ on the beach
Chorus
GA
And for one desperate moment there
DBm
He crept back in her memory
GA
God, it’s so painful
DA
Something that’s so close
And still so far out of reach
Outro
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
GAD
She was an American girl
Practice tip: The D-E-G-A verse progression drives the whole song. The E chord is the only potential stumble — make sure your index finger is well-placed on the G string, 1st fret.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Girl"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "American Girl" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Girl" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "American Girl"?
It was written by Tom Petty, and released in 1976.
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Atap to play
Emtap to play
Key
D
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
D · G · A · Em
American Girl Chords – Piano
Tom Petty’s classic rock anthem about freedom and youthful energy. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.
Classic Rock Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with driving energy. This song is all about attitude and forward momentum — keep the strum tight and confident.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
DE
Well, she was an American girl
GAD
Raised on promises
DE
She couldn’t help thinkin’ that there was a
GAD
Little more to life somewhere else
Chorus
GA
After all it was a great big world
DBm
With lots of places to run to
GA
Yeah, and if she had to die tryin’
DA
She had one little promise she was gonna keep
Verse 2
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
Verse 3
DE
Well, it was kind of cold that night
GAD
She stood alone on the balcony
DE
Yeah, she could hear the cars roll by
GA
Out on Four-Forty-One
D
Like waves crashin’ on the beach
Chorus
GA
And for one desperate moment there
DBm
He crept back in her memory
GA
God, it’s so painful
DA
Something that’s so close
And still so far out of reach
Outro
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
GAD
She was an American girl
Practice tip: The D-E-G-A verse progression drives the whole song. The E chord is the only potential stumble — make sure your index finger is well-placed on the G string, 1st fret.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Girl"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "American Girl" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Girl" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "American Girl"?
It was written by Tom Petty, and released in 1976.
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Atap to play
Emtap to play
Key
D
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
D · G · A · Em
American Girl Chords – Banjo
Tom Petty’s classic rock anthem about freedom and youthful energy. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.
Classic Rock Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with driving energy. This song is all about attitude and forward momentum — keep the strum tight and confident.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
DE
Well, she was an American girl
GAD
Raised on promises
DE
She couldn’t help thinkin’ that there was a
GAD
Little more to life somewhere else
Chorus
GA
After all it was a great big world
DBm
With lots of places to run to
GA
Yeah, and if she had to die tryin’
DA
She had one little promise she was gonna keep
Verse 2
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
Verse 3
DE
Well, it was kind of cold that night
GAD
She stood alone on the balcony
DE
Yeah, she could hear the cars roll by
GA
Out on Four-Forty-One
D
Like waves crashin’ on the beach
Chorus
GA
And for one desperate moment there
DBm
He crept back in her memory
GA
God, it’s so painful
DA
Something that’s so close
And still so far out of reach
Outro
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
GAD
She was an American girl
Practice tip: The D-E-G-A verse progression drives the whole song. The E chord is the only potential stumble — make sure your index finger is well-placed on the G string, 1st fret.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Girl"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "American Girl" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Girl" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "American Girl"?
It was written by Tom Petty, and released in 1976.
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Atap to play
Emtap to play
Key
D
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
D · G · A · Em
American Girl Chords – Mandolin
Tom Petty’s classic rock anthem about freedom and youthful energy. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.
Classic Rock Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with driving energy. This song is all about attitude and forward momentum — keep the strum tight and confident.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
DE
Well, she was an American girl
GAD
Raised on promises
DE
She couldn’t help thinkin’ that there was a
GAD
Little more to life somewhere else
Chorus
GA
After all it was a great big world
DBm
With lots of places to run to
GA
Yeah, and if she had to die tryin’
DA
She had one little promise she was gonna keep
Verse 2
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
Verse 3
DE
Well, it was kind of cold that night
GAD
She stood alone on the balcony
DE
Yeah, she could hear the cars roll by
GA
Out on Four-Forty-One
D
Like waves crashin’ on the beach
Chorus
GA
And for one desperate moment there
DBm
He crept back in her memory
GA
God, it’s so painful
DA
Something that’s so close
And still so far out of reach
Outro
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
GAD
She was an American girl
Practice tip: The D-E-G-A verse progression drives the whole song. The E chord is the only potential stumble — make sure your index finger is well-placed on the G string, 1st fret.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Girl"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "American Girl" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Girl" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "American Girl"?
It was written by Tom Petty, and released in 1976.
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Atap to play
Emtap to play
Key
D
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
D · G · A · Em
American Girl Chords – Harmonica
Tom Petty’s classic rock anthem about freedom and youthful energy. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.
Classic Rock Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: Play with driving energy. This song is all about attitude and forward momentum — keep the strum tight and confident.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
DE
Well, she was an American girl
GAD
Raised on promises
DE
She couldn’t help thinkin’ that there was a
GAD
Little more to life somewhere else
Chorus
GA
After all it was a great big world
DBm
With lots of places to run to
GA
Yeah, and if she had to die tryin’
DA
She had one little promise she was gonna keep
Verse 2
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
Verse 3
DE
Well, it was kind of cold that night
GAD
She stood alone on the balcony
DE
Yeah, she could hear the cars roll by
GA
Out on Four-Forty-One
D
Like waves crashin’ on the beach
Chorus
GA
And for one desperate moment there
DBm
He crept back in her memory
GA
God, it’s so painful
DA
Something that’s so close
And still so far out of reach
Outro
DE
Oh yeah, all right
GAD
Take it easy, baby
DE
Make it last all night
GAD
She was an American girl
GAD
She was an American girl
Practice tip: The D-E-G-A verse progression drives the whole song. The E chord is the only potential stumble — make sure your index finger is well-placed on the G string, 1st fret.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "American Girl"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: D, G, A and Em.
Is "American Girl" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of D, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "American Girl" in?
It is in the key of D.
Who wrote "American Girl"?
It was written by Tom Petty, and released in 1976.