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Rock

Born to Run Chords

Bruce Springsteen Intermediate Key of E 4 Chords 3 min read Updated
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Capo
None
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Born to Run Chords – Guitar

Bruce Springsteen’s explosive rock anthem about escaping small-town life. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Power Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Play with urgency and passion. This song builds from a rumbling verse to an explosive chorus — match that energy with your strumming dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream
A E
At night we ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines
E
Sprung from cages out on Highway 9, chrome wheeled, fuel injected
A E
And steppin’ out over the line
 

Verse 2

 
E
Baby, this town rips the bones from your back
It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap
A
We gotta get out while we’re young
B E
‘Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 3

 
E
Wendy, let me in, I wanna be your friend
I wanna guard your dreams and visions
A E
Just wrap your legs round these velvet rims
And strap your hands across my engines
 

Verse 4

 
E
Together we could break this trap
We’ll run till we drop, baby, we’ll never go back
A B
Will you walk with me out on the wire?
‘Cause baby, I’m just a scared and lonely rider
A B
But I gotta know how it feels
E A
I want to know if love is wild, I wanna know if love is real
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 5

 
E
Beyond the Palace hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard
A E
The girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
E
The amusement park rises bold and stark, kids are huddled on the beach in a mist
A B
I wanna die with you Wendy on the streets tonight
A E
In an everlasting kiss
 

Final Chorus

 
E A
One, two, three, four! Tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh honey, tramps like us
B A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Practice tip: Three main chords (E, A, B) power this song. The key is building energy — start the verses with a moderate strum and explode on the chorus. The B chord is a barre chord; try B7 as an easier substitute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Born to Run"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Born to Run" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Born to Run" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Born to Run"?

It was written by Bruce Springsteen, and released in 1975.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Born to Run Chords – Ukulele

Bruce Springsteen’s explosive rock anthem about escaping small-town life. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Power Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Play with urgency and passion. This song builds from a rumbling verse to an explosive chorus — match that energy with your strumming dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream
A E
At night we ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines
E
Sprung from cages out on Highway 9, chrome wheeled, fuel injected
A E
And steppin’ out over the line
 

Verse 2

 
E
Baby, this town rips the bones from your back
It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap
A
We gotta get out while we’re young
B E
‘Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 3

 
E
Wendy, let me in, I wanna be your friend
I wanna guard your dreams and visions
A E
Just wrap your legs round these velvet rims
And strap your hands across my engines
 

Verse 4

 
E
Together we could break this trap
We’ll run till we drop, baby, we’ll never go back
A B
Will you walk with me out on the wire?
‘Cause baby, I’m just a scared and lonely rider
A B
But I gotta know how it feels
E A
I want to know if love is wild, I wanna know if love is real
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 5

 
E
Beyond the Palace hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard
A E
The girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
E
The amusement park rises bold and stark, kids are huddled on the beach in a mist
A B
I wanna die with you Wendy on the streets tonight
A E
In an everlasting kiss
 

Final Chorus

 
E A
One, two, three, four! Tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh honey, tramps like us
B A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Practice tip: Three main chords (E, A, B) power this song. The key is building energy — start the verses with a moderate strum and explode on the chorus. The B chord is a barre chord; try B7 as an easier substitute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Born to Run"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Born to Run" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Born to Run" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Born to Run"?

It was written by Bruce Springsteen, and released in 1975.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Born to Run Chords – Piano

Bruce Springsteen’s explosive rock anthem about escaping small-town life. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Power Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Play with urgency and passion. This song builds from a rumbling verse to an explosive chorus — match that energy with your strumming dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream
A E
At night we ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines
E
Sprung from cages out on Highway 9, chrome wheeled, fuel injected
A E
And steppin’ out over the line
 

Verse 2

 
E
Baby, this town rips the bones from your back
It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap
A
We gotta get out while we’re young
B E
‘Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 3

 
E
Wendy, let me in, I wanna be your friend
I wanna guard your dreams and visions
A E
Just wrap your legs round these velvet rims
And strap your hands across my engines
 

Verse 4

 
E
Together we could break this trap
We’ll run till we drop, baby, we’ll never go back
A B
Will you walk with me out on the wire?
‘Cause baby, I’m just a scared and lonely rider
A B
But I gotta know how it feels
E A
I want to know if love is wild, I wanna know if love is real
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 5

 
E
Beyond the Palace hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard
A E
The girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
E
The amusement park rises bold and stark, kids are huddled on the beach in a mist
A B
I wanna die with you Wendy on the streets tonight
A E
In an everlasting kiss
 

Final Chorus

 
E A
One, two, three, four! Tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh honey, tramps like us
B A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Practice tip: Three main chords (E, A, B) power this song. The key is building energy — start the verses with a moderate strum and explode on the chorus. The B chord is a barre chord; try B7 as an easier substitute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Born to Run"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Born to Run" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Born to Run" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Born to Run"?

It was written by Bruce Springsteen, and released in 1975.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Born to Run Chords – Banjo

Bruce Springsteen’s explosive rock anthem about escaping small-town life. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Power Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Play with urgency and passion. This song builds from a rumbling verse to an explosive chorus — match that energy with your strumming dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream
A E
At night we ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines
E
Sprung from cages out on Highway 9, chrome wheeled, fuel injected
A E
And steppin’ out over the line
 

Verse 2

 
E
Baby, this town rips the bones from your back
It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap
A
We gotta get out while we’re young
B E
‘Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 3

 
E
Wendy, let me in, I wanna be your friend
I wanna guard your dreams and visions
A E
Just wrap your legs round these velvet rims
And strap your hands across my engines
 

Verse 4

 
E
Together we could break this trap
We’ll run till we drop, baby, we’ll never go back
A B
Will you walk with me out on the wire?
‘Cause baby, I’m just a scared and lonely rider
A B
But I gotta know how it feels
E A
I want to know if love is wild, I wanna know if love is real
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 5

 
E
Beyond the Palace hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard
A E
The girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
E
The amusement park rises bold and stark, kids are huddled on the beach in a mist
A B
I wanna die with you Wendy on the streets tonight
A E
In an everlasting kiss
 

Final Chorus

 
E A
One, two, three, four! Tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh honey, tramps like us
B A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Practice tip: Three main chords (E, A, B) power this song. The key is building energy — start the verses with a moderate strum and explode on the chorus. The B chord is a barre chord; try B7 as an easier substitute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Born to Run"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Born to Run" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Born to Run" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Born to Run"?

It was written by Bruce Springsteen, and released in 1975.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Born to Run Chords – Mandolin

Bruce Springsteen’s explosive rock anthem about escaping small-town life. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Power Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Play with urgency and passion. This song builds from a rumbling verse to an explosive chorus — match that energy with your strumming dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream
A E
At night we ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines
E
Sprung from cages out on Highway 9, chrome wheeled, fuel injected
A E
And steppin’ out over the line
 

Verse 2

 
E
Baby, this town rips the bones from your back
It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap
A
We gotta get out while we’re young
B E
‘Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 3

 
E
Wendy, let me in, I wanna be your friend
I wanna guard your dreams and visions
A E
Just wrap your legs round these velvet rims
And strap your hands across my engines
 

Verse 4

 
E
Together we could break this trap
We’ll run till we drop, baby, we’ll never go back
A B
Will you walk with me out on the wire?
‘Cause baby, I’m just a scared and lonely rider
A B
But I gotta know how it feels
E A
I want to know if love is wild, I wanna know if love is real
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 5

 
E
Beyond the Palace hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard
A E
The girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
E
The amusement park rises bold and stark, kids are huddled on the beach in a mist
A B
I wanna die with you Wendy on the streets tonight
A E
In an everlasting kiss
 

Final Chorus

 
E A
One, two, three, four! Tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh honey, tramps like us
B A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Practice tip: Three main chords (E, A, B) power this song. The key is building energy — start the verses with a moderate strum and explode on the chorus. The B chord is a barre chord; try B7 as an easier substitute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Born to Run"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Born to Run" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Born to Run" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Born to Run"?

It was written by Bruce Springsteen, and released in 1975.

Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play
C#mtap to play
Key
E
Difficulty
Intermediate
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
E · A · B · C#m

Born to Run Chords – Harmonica

Bruce Springsteen’s explosive rock anthem about escaping small-town life. Intermediate difficulty in the key of E.

Power Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Play with urgency and passion. This song builds from a rumbling verse to an explosive chorus — match that energy with your strumming dynamics.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream
A E
At night we ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines
E
Sprung from cages out on Highway 9, chrome wheeled, fuel injected
A E
And steppin’ out over the line
 

Verse 2

 
E
Baby, this town rips the bones from your back
It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap
A
We gotta get out while we’re young
B E
‘Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 3

 
E
Wendy, let me in, I wanna be your friend
I wanna guard your dreams and visions
A E
Just wrap your legs round these velvet rims
And strap your hands across my engines
 

Verse 4

 
E
Together we could break this trap
We’ll run till we drop, baby, we’ll never go back
A B
Will you walk with me out on the wire?
‘Cause baby, I’m just a scared and lonely rider
A B
But I gotta know how it feels
E A
I want to know if love is wild, I wanna know if love is real
 

Chorus

 
E A
Oh, baby, tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh-oh, come on with me
B
Tramps like us
A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Verse 5

 
E
Beyond the Palace hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard
A E
The girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
E
The amusement park rises bold and stark, kids are huddled on the beach in a mist
A B
I wanna die with you Wendy on the streets tonight
A E
In an everlasting kiss
 

Final Chorus

 
E A
One, two, three, four! Tramps like us
B E
Baby, we were born to run
A
Oh honey, tramps like us
B A E
Baby, we were born to run
 

Practice tip: Three main chords (E, A, B) power this song. The key is building energy — start the verses with a moderate strum and explode on the chorus. The B chord is a barre chord; try B7 as an easier substitute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Born to Run"?

You need 4 intermediate-friendly chords: E, A, B and C#m.

Is "Born to Run" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Born to Run" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Born to Run"?

It was written by Bruce Springsteen, and released in 1975.

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