Country

I Wish Grandpas Never Died Chords

Riley Green Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 4 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

I Wish Grandpas Never Died Chords – Guitar

A poignant country song by Riley Green about longing for simpler times and cherished loved ones. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Steady Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I wish five dollars was still a lot of money

G D

And good, high school players went on to play

G C G

I wish every radio still played Jones and Hank

D G

And skinnin’ a deer was the only Drake

G C

I wish gas was cheap and beer was still light

G D

And Friday night football was the only big light

G C

I wish everybody still said “yes ma’am,” “no sir”

G D G

And kids didn’t grow up wantin’ to be YouTube stars

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Verse 2

G C

I wish the county fair was still the county fair

G D

And politicians still told the truth

G C G

I wish the only thing we smoked was in a field on a tractor

D G

And every girl loved a boy in boots

G C

I wish the biggest worry was a flat on a Ford

G D

And gettin’ caught sneakin’ out by your daddy, of course

G C

I wish the only thing we shot was a shotgun shell

G D G

And everybody you knew went to heaven or hell

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Bridge

Em C

I wish I could call mine up

G D

He’d say, “Boy, pick your chin up”

Em C G

And tell me it’s all gonna be fine

D

One more time

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Outro

G C

Yeah, I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G

I wish…

Practice tip: Strum lightly on the verses to keep the focus on the storytelling, and strum a bit more firmly on the chorus to emphasize the emotional hook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

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

Is "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" 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 "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

It was written by Riley Green, Brett Taylor, Jessi Alexander, and released in 2019.

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

I Wish Grandpas Never Died Chords – Ukulele

A poignant country song by Riley Green about longing for simpler times and cherished loved ones. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Steady Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I wish five dollars was still a lot of money

G D

And good, high school players went on to play

G C G

I wish every radio still played Jones and Hank

D G

And skinnin’ a deer was the only Drake

G C

I wish gas was cheap and beer was still light

G D

And Friday night football was the only big light

G C

I wish everybody still said “yes ma’am,” “no sir”

G D G

And kids didn’t grow up wantin’ to be YouTube stars

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Verse 2

G C

I wish the county fair was still the county fair

G D

And politicians still told the truth

G C G

I wish the only thing we smoked was in a field on a tractor

D G

And every girl loved a boy in boots

G C

I wish the biggest worry was a flat on a Ford

G D

And gettin’ caught sneakin’ out by your daddy, of course

G C

I wish the only thing we shot was a shotgun shell

G D G

And everybody you knew went to heaven or hell

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Bridge

Em C

I wish I could call mine up

G D

He’d say, “Boy, pick your chin up”

Em C G

And tell me it’s all gonna be fine

D

One more time

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Outro

G C

Yeah, I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G

I wish…

Practice tip: Strum lightly on the verses to keep the focus on the storytelling, and strum a bit more firmly on the chorus to emphasize the emotional hook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

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

Is "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" 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 "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

It was written by Riley Green, Brett Taylor, Jessi Alexander, and released in 2019.

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

I Wish Grandpas Never Died Chords – Piano

A poignant country song by Riley Green about longing for simpler times and cherished loved ones. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Steady Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I wish five dollars was still a lot of money

G D

And good, high school players went on to play

G C G

I wish every radio still played Jones and Hank

D G

And skinnin’ a deer was the only Drake

G C

I wish gas was cheap and beer was still light

G D

And Friday night football was the only big light

G C

I wish everybody still said “yes ma’am,” “no sir”

G D G

And kids didn’t grow up wantin’ to be YouTube stars

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Verse 2

G C

I wish the county fair was still the county fair

G D

And politicians still told the truth

G C G

I wish the only thing we smoked was in a field on a tractor

D G

And every girl loved a boy in boots

G C

I wish the biggest worry was a flat on a Ford

G D

And gettin’ caught sneakin’ out by your daddy, of course

G C

I wish the only thing we shot was a shotgun shell

G D G

And everybody you knew went to heaven or hell

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Bridge

Em C

I wish I could call mine up

G D

He’d say, “Boy, pick your chin up”

Em C G

And tell me it’s all gonna be fine

D

One more time

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Outro

G C

Yeah, I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G

I wish…

Practice tip: Strum lightly on the verses to keep the focus on the storytelling, and strum a bit more firmly on the chorus to emphasize the emotional hook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

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

Is "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" 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 "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

It was written by Riley Green, Brett Taylor, Jessi Alexander, and released in 2019.

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

I Wish Grandpas Never Died Chords – Banjo

A poignant country song by Riley Green about longing for simpler times and cherished loved ones. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Steady Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I wish five dollars was still a lot of money

G D

And good, high school players went on to play

G C G

I wish every radio still played Jones and Hank

D G

And skinnin’ a deer was the only Drake

G C

I wish gas was cheap and beer was still light

G D

And Friday night football was the only big light

G C

I wish everybody still said “yes ma’am,” “no sir”

G D G

And kids didn’t grow up wantin’ to be YouTube stars

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Verse 2

G C

I wish the county fair was still the county fair

G D

And politicians still told the truth

G C G

I wish the only thing we smoked was in a field on a tractor

D G

And every girl loved a boy in boots

G C

I wish the biggest worry was a flat on a Ford

G D

And gettin’ caught sneakin’ out by your daddy, of course

G C

I wish the only thing we shot was a shotgun shell

G D G

And everybody you knew went to heaven or hell

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Bridge

Em C

I wish I could call mine up

G D

He’d say, “Boy, pick your chin up”

Em C G

And tell me it’s all gonna be fine

D

One more time

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Outro

G C

Yeah, I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G

I wish…

Practice tip: Strum lightly on the verses to keep the focus on the storytelling, and strum a bit more firmly on the chorus to emphasize the emotional hook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

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

Is "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" 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 "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

It was written by Riley Green, Brett Taylor, Jessi Alexander, and released in 2019.

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

I Wish Grandpas Never Died Chords – Mandolin

A poignant country song by Riley Green about longing for simpler times and cherished loved ones. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Steady Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I wish five dollars was still a lot of money

G D

And good, high school players went on to play

G C G

I wish every radio still played Jones and Hank

D G

And skinnin’ a deer was the only Drake

G C

I wish gas was cheap and beer was still light

G D

And Friday night football was the only big light

G C

I wish everybody still said “yes ma’am,” “no sir”

G D G

And kids didn’t grow up wantin’ to be YouTube stars

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Verse 2

G C

I wish the county fair was still the county fair

G D

And politicians still told the truth

G C G

I wish the only thing we smoked was in a field on a tractor

D G

And every girl loved a boy in boots

G C

I wish the biggest worry was a flat on a Ford

G D

And gettin’ caught sneakin’ out by your daddy, of course

G C

I wish the only thing we shot was a shotgun shell

G D G

And everybody you knew went to heaven or hell

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Bridge

Em C

I wish I could call mine up

G D

He’d say, “Boy, pick your chin up”

Em C G

And tell me it’s all gonna be fine

D

One more time

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Outro

G C

Yeah, I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G

I wish…

Practice tip: Strum lightly on the verses to keep the focus on the storytelling, and strum a bit more firmly on the chorus to emphasize the emotional hook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

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

Is "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" 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 "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

It was written by Riley Green, Brett Taylor, Jessi Alexander, and released in 2019.

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

I Wish Grandpas Never Died Chords – Harmonica

A poignant country song by Riley Green about longing for simpler times and cherished loved ones. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Steady Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes shown.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I wish five dollars was still a lot of money

G D

And good, high school players went on to play

G C G

I wish every radio still played Jones and Hank

D G

And skinnin’ a deer was the only Drake

G C

I wish gas was cheap and beer was still light

G D

And Friday night football was the only big light

G C

I wish everybody still said “yes ma’am,” “no sir”

G D G

And kids didn’t grow up wantin’ to be YouTube stars

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Verse 2

G C

I wish the county fair was still the county fair

G D

And politicians still told the truth

G C G

I wish the only thing we smoked was in a field on a tractor

D G

And every girl loved a boy in boots

G C

I wish the biggest worry was a flat on a Ford

G D

And gettin’ caught sneakin’ out by your daddy, of course

G C

I wish the only thing we shot was a shotgun shell

G D G

And everybody you knew went to heaven or hell

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Bridge

Em C

I wish I could call mine up

G D

He’d say, “Boy, pick your chin up”

Em C G

And tell me it’s all gonna be fine

D

One more time

Chorus

C G

And I wish grandpas never died

D G

I wish we had a little more time

C G

I wish good dogs lived forever

D G

And a goodbye really wasn’t goodbye

C G

I wish pick-up trucks had eight-track tapes

D G

And the best things in life never changed

C G

Yeah, I wish a lot of things

D G

But I wish grandpas never died

Outro

G C

Yeah, I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G C

I wish grandpas never died

G D

I wish grandpas never died

G

I wish…

Practice tip: Strum lightly on the verses to keep the focus on the storytelling, and strum a bit more firmly on the chorus to emphasize the emotional hook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

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

Is "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" 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 "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "I Wish Grandpas Never Died"?

It was written by Riley Green, Brett Taylor, Jessi Alexander, and released in 2019.