Folk, Indie

Big Black Car Chords

Gregory Alan Isakov Beginner Key of C 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

Am · C · G · F

Big Black Car Chords – Guitar

A hauntingly beautiful folk song by Gregory Alan Isakov about memory and distance. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a gentle, steady strum to match the song’s dreamy mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Remember when our wheels were new

Am F

And the radio was playing just for you

C G

Remember when we first drove far

Am F

In your big black car

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Verse 2

C G

Remember when you held the wheel

Am F

And I held on to everything I feel

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Bridge

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

Verse 3

C G

Remember when the moon was full

Am F

And we could see for miles and miles and miles

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Practice tip: Master the C-G-Am-F chord progression slowly before adding the strum pattern for a smooth, flowing sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Big Black Car"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, C, G and F.

Is "Big Black Car" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Big Black Car" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Big Black Car"?

It was written by Gregory Alan Isakov, and released in 2013.

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Am · C · G · F

Big Black Car Chords – Ukulele

A hauntingly beautiful folk song by Gregory Alan Isakov about memory and distance. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a gentle, steady strum to match the song’s dreamy mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Remember when our wheels were new

Am F

And the radio was playing just for you

C G

Remember when we first drove far

Am F

In your big black car

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Verse 2

C G

Remember when you held the wheel

Am F

And I held on to everything I feel

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Bridge

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

Verse 3

C G

Remember when the moon was full

Am F

And we could see for miles and miles and miles

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Practice tip: Master the C-G-Am-F chord progression slowly before adding the strum pattern for a smooth, flowing sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Big Black Car"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, C, G and F.

Is "Big Black Car" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Big Black Car" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Big Black Car"?

It was written by Gregory Alan Isakov, and released in 2013.

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Am · C · G · F

Big Black Car Chords – Piano

A hauntingly beautiful folk song by Gregory Alan Isakov about memory and distance. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a gentle, steady strum to match the song’s dreamy mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Remember when our wheels were new

Am F

And the radio was playing just for you

C G

Remember when we first drove far

Am F

In your big black car

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Verse 2

C G

Remember when you held the wheel

Am F

And I held on to everything I feel

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Bridge

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

Verse 3

C G

Remember when the moon was full

Am F

And we could see for miles and miles and miles

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Practice tip: Master the C-G-Am-F chord progression slowly before adding the strum pattern for a smooth, flowing sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Big Black Car"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, C, G and F.

Is "Big Black Car" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Big Black Car" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Big Black Car"?

It was written by Gregory Alan Isakov, and released in 2013.

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Am · C · G · F

Big Black Car Chords – Banjo

A hauntingly beautiful folk song by Gregory Alan Isakov about memory and distance. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a gentle, steady strum to match the song’s dreamy mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Remember when our wheels were new

Am F

And the radio was playing just for you

C G

Remember when we first drove far

Am F

In your big black car

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Verse 2

C G

Remember when you held the wheel

Am F

And I held on to everything I feel

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Bridge

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

Verse 3

C G

Remember when the moon was full

Am F

And we could see for miles and miles and miles

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Practice tip: Master the C-G-Am-F chord progression slowly before adding the strum pattern for a smooth, flowing sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Big Black Car"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, C, G and F.

Is "Big Black Car" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Big Black Car" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Big Black Car"?

It was written by Gregory Alan Isakov, and released in 2013.

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Am · C · G · F

Big Black Car Chords – Mandolin

A hauntingly beautiful folk song by Gregory Alan Isakov about memory and distance. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a gentle, steady strum to match the song’s dreamy mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Remember when our wheels were new

Am F

And the radio was playing just for you

C G

Remember when we first drove far

Am F

In your big black car

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Verse 2

C G

Remember when you held the wheel

Am F

And I held on to everything I feel

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Bridge

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

Verse 3

C G

Remember when the moon was full

Am F

And we could see for miles and miles and miles

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Practice tip: Master the C-G-Am-F chord progression slowly before adding the strum pattern for a smooth, flowing sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Big Black Car"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, C, G and F.

Is "Big Black Car" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Big Black Car" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Big Black Car"?

It was written by Gregory Alan Isakov, and released in 2013.

Amtap to play

Ctap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Am · C · G · F

Big Black Car Chords – Harmonica

A hauntingly beautiful folk song by Gregory Alan Isakov about memory and distance. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a gentle, steady strum to match the song’s dreamy mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G

Remember when our wheels were new

Am F

And the radio was playing just for you

C G

Remember when we first drove far

Am F

In your big black car

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Verse 2

C G

Remember when you held the wheel

Am F

And I held on to everything I feel

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Bridge

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

F C

I wanna see you as you are

G Am

In your big black car

Verse 3

C G

Remember when the moon was full

Am F

And we could see for miles and miles and miles

C G

Remember when you said to me

Am F

”Nothing is as simple as it seems”

Chorus

C G

And I was a stranger

Am F

In the bright lights of town

C G

And you were a danger

Am F

I was gonna go down

Practice tip: Master the C-G-Am-F chord progression slowly before adding the strum pattern for a smooth, flowing sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Big Black Car"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, C, G and F.

Is "Big Black Car" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Big Black Car" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Big Black Car"?

It was written by Gregory Alan Isakov, and released in 2013.