Jack and Diane Chords

Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
A · D · E

Jack and Diane Chords – Guitar

John Mellencamp’s iconic coming-of-age rock anthem about two American kids doing the best they can. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids growin’ up in the heartland
A D A
Jackie’s gonna be a football star
A D A
Diane’s debutante in the back seat of Jackie’s car
A D A
Suckin’ on a chili dog outside the Tastee Freez
A D A
Diane’s sittin’ on Jackie’s lap
A D
He’s got his hands between her knees
A D A
Jackie say, “Hey Diane, let’s run off behind a shady tree
D A
Dribble off those Bobby Brooks
D
Let me do what I please”
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Verse 2

 
A D A
Now Jack, he’s gonna be a doctor
A D A
And Diane’s a beautician in the town
A D A
And Jack, he sits up drinkin’ all night
A D A
Dreamin’ of that little piece of paradise
A D
Oh, let it rock, let it roll
A
Let the Bible Belt come and save my soul
A D A
Holdin’ on to sixteen as long as you can
A D
Change is comin’ ’round real soon
A
Make us women and men
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Bridge

 
A D A
Now a young boy walks down the street
A D A
And a young girl waits for him to meet
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
 

Verse 3 / Outro

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
 

Practice tip: Master the simple A to D chord change, as it’s the core of the song. Strum lightly on the “Suckin’ on a chili dog” breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack and Diane"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: A, D and E.

Is "Jack and Diane" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Jack and Diane" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Jack and Diane"?

It was written by John Mellencamp, and released in 1982.

Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
A · D · E

Jack and Diane Chords – Ukulele

John Mellencamp’s iconic coming-of-age rock anthem about two American kids doing the best they can. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids growin’ up in the heartland
A D A
Jackie’s gonna be a football star
A D A
Diane’s debutante in the back seat of Jackie’s car
A D A
Suckin’ on a chili dog outside the Tastee Freez
A D A
Diane’s sittin’ on Jackie’s lap
A D
He’s got his hands between her knees
A D A
Jackie say, “Hey Diane, let’s run off behind a shady tree
D A
Dribble off those Bobby Brooks
D
Let me do what I please”
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Verse 2

 
A D A
Now Jack, he’s gonna be a doctor
A D A
And Diane’s a beautician in the town
A D A
And Jack, he sits up drinkin’ all night
A D A
Dreamin’ of that little piece of paradise
A D
Oh, let it rock, let it roll
A
Let the Bible Belt come and save my soul
A D A
Holdin’ on to sixteen as long as you can
A D
Change is comin’ ’round real soon
A
Make us women and men
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Bridge

 
A D A
Now a young boy walks down the street
A D A
And a young girl waits for him to meet
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
 

Verse 3 / Outro

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
 

Practice tip: Master the simple A to D chord change, as it’s the core of the song. Strum lightly on the “Suckin’ on a chili dog” breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack and Diane"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: A, D and E.

Is "Jack and Diane" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Jack and Diane" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Jack and Diane"?

It was written by John Mellencamp, and released in 1982.

Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
A · D · E

Jack and Diane Chords – Piano

John Mellencamp’s iconic coming-of-age rock anthem about two American kids doing the best they can. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids growin’ up in the heartland
A D A
Jackie’s gonna be a football star
A D A
Diane’s debutante in the back seat of Jackie’s car
A D A
Suckin’ on a chili dog outside the Tastee Freez
A D A
Diane’s sittin’ on Jackie’s lap
A D
He’s got his hands between her knees
A D A
Jackie say, “Hey Diane, let’s run off behind a shady tree
D A
Dribble off those Bobby Brooks
D
Let me do what I please”
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Verse 2

 
A D A
Now Jack, he’s gonna be a doctor
A D A
And Diane’s a beautician in the town
A D A
And Jack, he sits up drinkin’ all night
A D A
Dreamin’ of that little piece of paradise
A D
Oh, let it rock, let it roll
A
Let the Bible Belt come and save my soul
A D A
Holdin’ on to sixteen as long as you can
A D
Change is comin’ ’round real soon
A
Make us women and men
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Bridge

 
A D A
Now a young boy walks down the street
A D A
And a young girl waits for him to meet
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
 

Verse 3 / Outro

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
 

Practice tip: Master the simple A to D chord change, as it’s the core of the song. Strum lightly on the “Suckin’ on a chili dog” breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack and Diane"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: A, D and E.

Is "Jack and Diane" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Jack and Diane" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Jack and Diane"?

It was written by John Mellencamp, and released in 1982.

Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
A · D · E

Jack and Diane Chords – Banjo

John Mellencamp’s iconic coming-of-age rock anthem about two American kids doing the best they can. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids growin’ up in the heartland
A D A
Jackie’s gonna be a football star
A D A
Diane’s debutante in the back seat of Jackie’s car
A D A
Suckin’ on a chili dog outside the Tastee Freez
A D A
Diane’s sittin’ on Jackie’s lap
A D
He’s got his hands between her knees
A D A
Jackie say, “Hey Diane, let’s run off behind a shady tree
D A
Dribble off those Bobby Brooks
D
Let me do what I please”
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Verse 2

 
A D A
Now Jack, he’s gonna be a doctor
A D A
And Diane’s a beautician in the town
A D A
And Jack, he sits up drinkin’ all night
A D A
Dreamin’ of that little piece of paradise
A D
Oh, let it rock, let it roll
A
Let the Bible Belt come and save my soul
A D A
Holdin’ on to sixteen as long as you can
A D
Change is comin’ ’round real soon
A
Make us women and men
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Bridge

 
A D A
Now a young boy walks down the street
A D A
And a young girl waits for him to meet
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
 

Verse 3 / Outro

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
 

Practice tip: Master the simple A to D chord change, as it’s the core of the song. Strum lightly on the “Suckin’ on a chili dog” breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack and Diane"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: A, D and E.

Is "Jack and Diane" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Jack and Diane" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Jack and Diane"?

It was written by John Mellencamp, and released in 1982.

Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
A · D · E

Jack and Diane Chords – Mandolin

John Mellencamp’s iconic coming-of-age rock anthem about two American kids doing the best they can. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids growin’ up in the heartland
A D A
Jackie’s gonna be a football star
A D A
Diane’s debutante in the back seat of Jackie’s car
A D A
Suckin’ on a chili dog outside the Tastee Freez
A D A
Diane’s sittin’ on Jackie’s lap
A D
He’s got his hands between her knees
A D A
Jackie say, “Hey Diane, let’s run off behind a shady tree
D A
Dribble off those Bobby Brooks
D
Let me do what I please”
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Verse 2

 
A D A
Now Jack, he’s gonna be a doctor
A D A
And Diane’s a beautician in the town
A D A
And Jack, he sits up drinkin’ all night
A D A
Dreamin’ of that little piece of paradise
A D
Oh, let it rock, let it roll
A
Let the Bible Belt come and save my soul
A D A
Holdin’ on to sixteen as long as you can
A D
Change is comin’ ’round real soon
A
Make us women and men
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Bridge

 
A D A
Now a young boy walks down the street
A D A
And a young girl waits for him to meet
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
 

Verse 3 / Outro

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
 

Practice tip: Master the simple A to D chord change, as it’s the core of the song. Strum lightly on the “Suckin’ on a chili dog” breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack and Diane"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: A, D and E.

Is "Jack and Diane" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Jack and Diane" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Jack and Diane"?

It was written by John Mellencamp, and released in 1982.

Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play
Key
A
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
A · D · E

Jack and Diane Chords – Harmonica

John Mellencamp’s iconic coming-of-age rock anthem about two American kids doing the best they can. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Keep a steady, bouncy rhythm to match the song’s feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids growin’ up in the heartland
A D A
Jackie’s gonna be a football star
A D A
Diane’s debutante in the back seat of Jackie’s car
A D A
Suckin’ on a chili dog outside the Tastee Freez
A D A
Diane’s sittin’ on Jackie’s lap
A D
He’s got his hands between her knees
A D A
Jackie say, “Hey Diane, let’s run off behind a shady tree
D A
Dribble off those Bobby Brooks
D
Let me do what I please”
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Verse 2

 
A D A
Now Jack, he’s gonna be a doctor
A D A
And Diane’s a beautician in the town
A D A
And Jack, he sits up drinkin’ all night
A D A
Dreamin’ of that little piece of paradise
A D
Oh, let it rock, let it roll
A
Let the Bible Belt come and save my soul
A D A
Holdin’ on to sixteen as long as you can
A D
Change is comin’ ’round real soon
A
Make us women and men
 

Chorus

 
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
A
Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone
They say, “Oh yeah, life goes on
D A
Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone”
 

Bridge

 
A D A
Now a young boy walks down the street
A D A
And a young girl waits for him to meet
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
A D A
And the world turns and the world goes
 

Verse 3 / Outro

 
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
A D A
Little ditty ’bout Jack and Diane
A D A
Two American kids doin’ the best they can
 

Practice tip: Master the simple A to D chord change, as it’s the core of the song. Strum lightly on the “Suckin’ on a chili dog” breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Jack and Diane"?

You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: A, D and E.

Is "Jack and Diane" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 3 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Jack and Diane" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Jack and Diane"?

It was written by John Mellencamp, and released in 1982.