Rock

Every Rose Has Its Thorn Chords

Poison Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Every Rose Has Its Thorn Chords – Guitar

Poison’s power ballad is one of the most iconic acoustic songs in rock history. Written by Bret Michaels in a laundromat, this song proves that simple chords can create timeless music.

Power Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

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Tip: Start with gentle arpeggiated chords and build to strumming in the chorus. The intro is a classic G to C progression. Let the emotions flow through your playing for authentic delivery.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

We both lie silently still in the dead of the night

G C

Although we both lie close together, we feel miles apart inside

G C

Was it something I said or something I did

G C

Did my words not come out right

D C

Though I tried not to hurt you, though I tried

But I guess that’s why they say

Chorus

G C

Every rose has its thorn

G C

Just like every night has its dawn

Em C G D

Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song

G C

Every rose has its thorn

Verse 2

G C

I listen to our favorite song playing on the radio

G C

Hear the DJ say love’s a game of easy come and easy go

G C

But I wonder does he know, has he ever felt like this

D C

And I know that you’d be here right now if I could’ve let you know somehow

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

It was written by Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett, and released in 1988.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Every Rose Has Its Thorn Chords – Ukulele

Poison’s power ballad is one of the most iconic acoustic songs in rock history. Written by Bret Michaels in a laundromat, this song proves that simple chords can create timeless music.

Power Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Start with gentle arpeggiated chords and build to strumming in the chorus. The intro is a classic G to C progression. Let the emotions flow through your playing for authentic delivery.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

We both lie silently still in the dead of the night

G C

Although we both lie close together, we feel miles apart inside

G C

Was it something I said or something I did

G C

Did my words not come out right

D C

Though I tried not to hurt you, though I tried

But I guess that’s why they say

Chorus

G C

Every rose has its thorn

G C

Just like every night has its dawn

Em C G D

Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song

G C

Every rose has its thorn

Verse 2

G C

I listen to our favorite song playing on the radio

G C

Hear the DJ say love’s a game of easy come and easy go

G C

But I wonder does he know, has he ever felt like this

D C

And I know that you’d be here right now if I could’ve let you know somehow

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

It was written by Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett, and released in 1988.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Every Rose Has Its Thorn Chords – Piano

Poison’s power ballad is one of the most iconic acoustic songs in rock history. Written by Bret Michaels in a laundromat, this song proves that simple chords can create timeless music.

Power Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Start with gentle arpeggiated chords and build to strumming in the chorus. The intro is a classic G to C progression. Let the emotions flow through your playing for authentic delivery.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

We both lie silently still in the dead of the night

G C

Although we both lie close together, we feel miles apart inside

G C

Was it something I said or something I did

G C

Did my words not come out right

D C

Though I tried not to hurt you, though I tried

But I guess that’s why they say

Chorus

G C

Every rose has its thorn

G C

Just like every night has its dawn

Em C G D

Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song

G C

Every rose has its thorn

Verse 2

G C

I listen to our favorite song playing on the radio

G C

Hear the DJ say love’s a game of easy come and easy go

G C

But I wonder does he know, has he ever felt like this

D C

And I know that you’d be here right now if I could’ve let you know somehow

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

It was written by Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett, and released in 1988.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Every Rose Has Its Thorn Chords – Banjo

Poison’s power ballad is one of the most iconic acoustic songs in rock history. Written by Bret Michaels in a laundromat, this song proves that simple chords can create timeless music.

Power Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Start with gentle arpeggiated chords and build to strumming in the chorus. The intro is a classic G to C progression. Let the emotions flow through your playing for authentic delivery.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

We both lie silently still in the dead of the night

G C

Although we both lie close together, we feel miles apart inside

G C

Was it something I said or something I did

G C

Did my words not come out right

D C

Though I tried not to hurt you, though I tried

But I guess that’s why they say

Chorus

G C

Every rose has its thorn

G C

Just like every night has its dawn

Em C G D

Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song

G C

Every rose has its thorn

Verse 2

G C

I listen to our favorite song playing on the radio

G C

Hear the DJ say love’s a game of easy come and easy go

G C

But I wonder does he know, has he ever felt like this

D C

And I know that you’d be here right now if I could’ve let you know somehow

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

It was written by Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett, and released in 1988.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Every Rose Has Its Thorn Chords – Mandolin

Poison’s power ballad is one of the most iconic acoustic songs in rock history. Written by Bret Michaels in a laundromat, this song proves that simple chords can create timeless music.

Power Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Start with gentle arpeggiated chords and build to strumming in the chorus. The intro is a classic G to C progression. Let the emotions flow through your playing for authentic delivery.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

We both lie silently still in the dead of the night

G C

Although we both lie close together, we feel miles apart inside

G C

Was it something I said or something I did

G C

Did my words not come out right

D C

Though I tried not to hurt you, though I tried

But I guess that’s why they say

Chorus

G C

Every rose has its thorn

G C

Just like every night has its dawn

Em C G D

Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song

G C

Every rose has its thorn

Verse 2

G C

I listen to our favorite song playing on the radio

G C

Hear the DJ say love’s a game of easy come and easy go

G C

But I wonder does he know, has he ever felt like this

D C

And I know that you’d be here right now if I could’ve let you know somehow

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

It was written by Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett, and released in 1988.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em

Every Rose Has Its Thorn Chords – Harmonica

Poison’s power ballad is one of the most iconic acoustic songs in rock history. Written by Bret Michaels in a laundromat, this song proves that simple chords can create timeless music.

Power Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Start with gentle arpeggiated chords and build to strumming in the chorus. The intro is a classic G to C progression. Let the emotions flow through your playing for authentic delivery.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

We both lie silently still in the dead of the night

G C

Although we both lie close together, we feel miles apart inside

G C

Was it something I said or something I did

G C

Did my words not come out right

D C

Though I tried not to hurt you, though I tried

But I guess that’s why they say

Chorus

G C

Every rose has its thorn

G C

Just like every night has its dawn

Em C G D

Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song

G C

Every rose has its thorn

Verse 2

G C

I listen to our favorite song playing on the radio

G C

Hear the DJ say love’s a game of easy come and easy go

G C

But I wonder does he know, has he ever felt like this

D C

And I know that you’d be here right now if I could’ve let you know somehow

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

It was written by Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett, and released in 1988.