Desperado Chords

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Bmtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Intermediate
Capo
None
Chords
G · C · Em · Am · D · Bm

Desperado Chords – Guitar

Eagles’ timeless ballad about freedom and loneliness. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Play this slowly and let each chord sustain. The song is a conversation — let it breathe between phrases.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
You been out ridin’ fences for so long now
G C Bm
Oh you’re a hard one, I know that you got your reasons
C G Am D
These things that are pleasin’ you can hurt you somehow
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
C G
She’ll beat you if she’s able
Em Bm C D
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Em Bm
Now it seems to me some fine things
C G
Have been laid upon your table
Em Am D
But you only want the ones that you can’t get
 

Verse 2

 
G G C
Desperado, oh you ain’t gettin’ no younger
Em Bm C G
Your pain and your hunger, they’re drivin’ you home
G C Bm
And freedom, oh freedom, well that’s just some people talkin’
C G Am D
Your prison is walkin’ through this world all alone
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t your feet get cold in the wintertime
C G
The sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine
Em Bm C D
It’s hard to tell the nighttime from the day
Em Bm
You’re losin’ all your highs and lows
C G Am D
Ain’t it funny how the feelin’ goes away
 

Verse 3

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
Come down from your fences, open the gate
G C Bm
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C D G
You better let somebody love you
C G
Before it’s too late
 

Practice tip: The Bm chord is the hardest part. If you can’t barre it yet, try using Bm7 (x20202) as a substitute — it sounds very close.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Desperado"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: G, C, Em, Am, D and Bm.

Is "Desperado" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Desperado" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Desperado"?

It was written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and released in 1973.

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Bmtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
G · C · Em · Am · D · Bm

Desperado Chords – Ukulele

Eagles’ timeless ballad about freedom and loneliness. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Play this slowly and let each chord sustain. The song is a conversation — let it breathe between phrases.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
You been out ridin’ fences for so long now
G C Bm
Oh you’re a hard one, I know that you got your reasons
C G Am D
These things that are pleasin’ you can hurt you somehow
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
C G
She’ll beat you if she’s able
Em Bm C D
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Em Bm
Now it seems to me some fine things
C G
Have been laid upon your table
Em Am D
But you only want the ones that you can’t get
 

Verse 2

 
G G C
Desperado, oh you ain’t gettin’ no younger
Em Bm C G
Your pain and your hunger, they’re drivin’ you home
G C Bm
And freedom, oh freedom, well that’s just some people talkin’
C G Am D
Your prison is walkin’ through this world all alone
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t your feet get cold in the wintertime
C G
The sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine
Em Bm C D
It’s hard to tell the nighttime from the day
Em Bm
You’re losin’ all your highs and lows
C G Am D
Ain’t it funny how the feelin’ goes away
 

Verse 3

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
Come down from your fences, open the gate
G C Bm
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C D G
You better let somebody love you
C G
Before it’s too late
 

Practice tip: The Bm chord is the hardest part. If you can’t barre it yet, try using Bm7 (x20202) as a substitute — it sounds very close.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Desperado"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: G, C, Em, Am, D and Bm.

Is "Desperado" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Desperado" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Desperado"?

It was written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and released in 1973.

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Bmtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Intermediate
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
G · C · Em · Am · D · Bm

Desperado Chords – Piano

Eagles’ timeless ballad about freedom and loneliness. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Play this slowly and let each chord sustain. The song is a conversation — let it breathe between phrases.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
You been out ridin’ fences for so long now
G C Bm
Oh you’re a hard one, I know that you got your reasons
C G Am D
These things that are pleasin’ you can hurt you somehow
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
C G
She’ll beat you if she’s able
Em Bm C D
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Em Bm
Now it seems to me some fine things
C G
Have been laid upon your table
Em Am D
But you only want the ones that you can’t get
 

Verse 2

 
G G C
Desperado, oh you ain’t gettin’ no younger
Em Bm C G
Your pain and your hunger, they’re drivin’ you home
G C Bm
And freedom, oh freedom, well that’s just some people talkin’
C G Am D
Your prison is walkin’ through this world all alone
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t your feet get cold in the wintertime
C G
The sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine
Em Bm C D
It’s hard to tell the nighttime from the day
Em Bm
You’re losin’ all your highs and lows
C G Am D
Ain’t it funny how the feelin’ goes away
 

Verse 3

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
Come down from your fences, open the gate
G C Bm
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C D G
You better let somebody love you
C G
Before it’s too late
 

Practice tip: The Bm chord is the hardest part. If you can’t barre it yet, try using Bm7 (x20202) as a substitute — it sounds very close.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Desperado"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: G, C, Em, Am, D and Bm.

Is "Desperado" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Desperado" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Desperado"?

It was written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and released in 1973.

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Bmtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
G · C · Em · Am · D · Bm

Desperado Chords – Banjo

Eagles’ timeless ballad about freedom and loneliness. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Play this slowly and let each chord sustain. The song is a conversation — let it breathe between phrases.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
You been out ridin’ fences for so long now
G C Bm
Oh you’re a hard one, I know that you got your reasons
C G Am D
These things that are pleasin’ you can hurt you somehow
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
C G
She’ll beat you if she’s able
Em Bm C D
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Em Bm
Now it seems to me some fine things
C G
Have been laid upon your table
Em Am D
But you only want the ones that you can’t get
 

Verse 2

 
G G C
Desperado, oh you ain’t gettin’ no younger
Em Bm C G
Your pain and your hunger, they’re drivin’ you home
G C Bm
And freedom, oh freedom, well that’s just some people talkin’
C G Am D
Your prison is walkin’ through this world all alone
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t your feet get cold in the wintertime
C G
The sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine
Em Bm C D
It’s hard to tell the nighttime from the day
Em Bm
You’re losin’ all your highs and lows
C G Am D
Ain’t it funny how the feelin’ goes away
 

Verse 3

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
Come down from your fences, open the gate
G C Bm
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C D G
You better let somebody love you
C G
Before it’s too late
 

Practice tip: The Bm chord is the hardest part. If you can’t barre it yet, try using Bm7 (x20202) as a substitute — it sounds very close.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Desperado"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: G, C, Em, Am, D and Bm.

Is "Desperado" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Desperado" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Desperado"?

It was written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and released in 1973.

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Bmtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
G · C · Em · Am · D · Bm

Desperado Chords – Mandolin

Eagles’ timeless ballad about freedom and loneliness. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Play this slowly and let each chord sustain. The song is a conversation — let it breathe between phrases.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
You been out ridin’ fences for so long now
G C Bm
Oh you’re a hard one, I know that you got your reasons
C G Am D
These things that are pleasin’ you can hurt you somehow
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
C G
She’ll beat you if she’s able
Em Bm C D
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Em Bm
Now it seems to me some fine things
C G
Have been laid upon your table
Em Am D
But you only want the ones that you can’t get
 

Verse 2

 
G G C
Desperado, oh you ain’t gettin’ no younger
Em Bm C G
Your pain and your hunger, they’re drivin’ you home
G C Bm
And freedom, oh freedom, well that’s just some people talkin’
C G Am D
Your prison is walkin’ through this world all alone
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t your feet get cold in the wintertime
C G
The sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine
Em Bm C D
It’s hard to tell the nighttime from the day
Em Bm
You’re losin’ all your highs and lows
C G Am D
Ain’t it funny how the feelin’ goes away
 

Verse 3

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
Come down from your fences, open the gate
G C Bm
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C D G
You better let somebody love you
C G
Before it’s too late
 

Practice tip: The Bm chord is the hardest part. If you can’t barre it yet, try using Bm7 (x20202) as a substitute — it sounds very close.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Desperado"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: G, C, Em, Am, D and Bm.

Is "Desperado" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Desperado" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Desperado"?

It was written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and released in 1973.

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Amtap to play
Dtap to play
Bmtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Intermediate
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
G · C · Em · Am · D · Bm

Desperado Chords – Harmonica

Eagles’ timeless ballad about freedom and loneliness. Intermediate difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Play this slowly and let each chord sustain. The song is a conversation — let it breathe between phrases.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
You been out ridin’ fences for so long now
G C Bm
Oh you’re a hard one, I know that you got your reasons
C G Am D
These things that are pleasin’ you can hurt you somehow
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
C G
She’ll beat you if she’s able
Em Bm C D
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Em Bm
Now it seems to me some fine things
C G
Have been laid upon your table
Em Am D
But you only want the ones that you can’t get
 

Verse 2

 
G G C
Desperado, oh you ain’t gettin’ no younger
Em Bm C G
Your pain and your hunger, they’re drivin’ you home
G C Bm
And freedom, oh freedom, well that’s just some people talkin’
C G Am D
Your prison is walkin’ through this world all alone
 

Chorus

 
Em Bm
Don’t your feet get cold in the wintertime
C G
The sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine
Em Bm C D
It’s hard to tell the nighttime from the day
Em Bm
You’re losin’ all your highs and lows
C G Am D
Ain’t it funny how the feelin’ goes away
 

Verse 3

 
G G C
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Em Bm C G
Come down from your fences, open the gate
G C Bm
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C G Am
You better let somebody love you
C D G
You better let somebody love you
C G
Before it’s too late
 

Practice tip: The Bm chord is the hardest part. If you can’t barre it yet, try using Bm7 (x20202) as a substitute — it sounds very close.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Desperado"?

You need 6 intermediate-friendly chords: G, C, Em, Am, D and Bm.

Is "Desperado" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 6 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Desperado" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Desperado"?

It was written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and released in 1973.