Rock, Folk

Maggie May Chords

Rod Stewart Beginner Key of D 4 Chords 4 min read Updated Jul 2026

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

D · Em · G · A

Maggie May Chords – Guitar

Rod Stewart’s classic story of a young man’s bittersweet romance with an older woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written to match the original recording’s key of E, or play without a capo as written here in D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G D

It’s late September and I really should be back at school

A7

I know I keep you amused

G D

But I feel I’m being used

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 2

D

The morning sun, when it’s in your face really shows your age

G D

But that don’t worry me none, in my eyes you’re everything

A7

I laughed at all of your jokes

G D

My love you didn’t need to coax

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 3

D

You lured me away from home, just to save you from being alone

G D

You stole my soul, and that’s a pain I can do without

A7

All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand

G D

But you turned into a lover and mother, what a lover

G A7 D

You wore me out, all you did was lead me on

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Bridge

G D

All you did was wreck my bed, and in the morning, kick me in the head

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Verse 4

D

You made a first-class fool out of me

G

But I’m as blind as a fool can be

D

You stole my heart, but I love you anyway

A7

Maggie, I wish I’d never seen your face

G D

I’ll get on back home one of these days

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Outro

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up…

Practice tip: The A7 chord is used frequently as a lead-in back to the D chord; practice the D-A7-D transition until it feels natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Maggie May"?

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

Is "Maggie May" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Maggie May" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "Maggie May"?

It was written by Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton, and released in 1971.

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

D · Em · G · A

Maggie May Chords – Ukulele

Rod Stewart’s classic story of a young man’s bittersweet romance with an older woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written to match the original recording’s key of E, or play without a capo as written here in D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G D

It’s late September and I really should be back at school

A7

I know I keep you amused

G D

But I feel I’m being used

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 2

D

The morning sun, when it’s in your face really shows your age

G D

But that don’t worry me none, in my eyes you’re everything

A7

I laughed at all of your jokes

G D

My love you didn’t need to coax

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 3

D

You lured me away from home, just to save you from being alone

G D

You stole my soul, and that’s a pain I can do without

A7

All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand

G D

But you turned into a lover and mother, what a lover

G A7 D

You wore me out, all you did was lead me on

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Bridge

G D

All you did was wreck my bed, and in the morning, kick me in the head

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Verse 4

D

You made a first-class fool out of me

G

But I’m as blind as a fool can be

D

You stole my heart, but I love you anyway

A7

Maggie, I wish I’d never seen your face

G D

I’ll get on back home one of these days

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Outro

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up…

Practice tip: The A7 chord is used frequently as a lead-in back to the D chord; practice the D-A7-D transition until it feels natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Maggie May"?

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

Is "Maggie May" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Maggie May" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "Maggie May"?

It was written by Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton, and released in 1971.

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

D · Em · G · A

Maggie May Chords – Piano

Rod Stewart’s classic story of a young man’s bittersweet romance with an older woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written to match the original recording’s key of E, or play without a capo as written here in D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G D

It’s late September and I really should be back at school

A7

I know I keep you amused

G D

But I feel I’m being used

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 2

D

The morning sun, when it’s in your face really shows your age

G D

But that don’t worry me none, in my eyes you’re everything

A7

I laughed at all of your jokes

G D

My love you didn’t need to coax

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 3

D

You lured me away from home, just to save you from being alone

G D

You stole my soul, and that’s a pain I can do without

A7

All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand

G D

But you turned into a lover and mother, what a lover

G A7 D

You wore me out, all you did was lead me on

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Bridge

G D

All you did was wreck my bed, and in the morning, kick me in the head

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Verse 4

D

You made a first-class fool out of me

G

But I’m as blind as a fool can be

D

You stole my heart, but I love you anyway

A7

Maggie, I wish I’d never seen your face

G D

I’ll get on back home one of these days

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Outro

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up…

Practice tip: The A7 chord is used frequently as a lead-in back to the D chord; practice the D-A7-D transition until it feels natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Maggie May"?

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

Is "Maggie May" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Maggie May" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "Maggie May"?

It was written by Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton, and released in 1971.

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

D · Em · G · A

Maggie May Chords – Banjo

Rod Stewart’s classic story of a young man’s bittersweet romance with an older woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written to match the original recording’s key of E, or play without a capo as written here in D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G D

It’s late September and I really should be back at school

A7

I know I keep you amused

G D

But I feel I’m being used

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 2

D

The morning sun, when it’s in your face really shows your age

G D

But that don’t worry me none, in my eyes you’re everything

A7

I laughed at all of your jokes

G D

My love you didn’t need to coax

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 3

D

You lured me away from home, just to save you from being alone

G D

You stole my soul, and that’s a pain I can do without

A7

All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand

G D

But you turned into a lover and mother, what a lover

G A7 D

You wore me out, all you did was lead me on

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Bridge

G D

All you did was wreck my bed, and in the morning, kick me in the head

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Verse 4

D

You made a first-class fool out of me

G

But I’m as blind as a fool can be

D

You stole my heart, but I love you anyway

A7

Maggie, I wish I’d never seen your face

G D

I’ll get on back home one of these days

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Outro

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up…

Practice tip: The A7 chord is used frequently as a lead-in back to the D chord; practice the D-A7-D transition until it feels natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Maggie May"?

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

Is "Maggie May" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Maggie May" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "Maggie May"?

It was written by Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton, and released in 1971.

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

D · Em · G · A

Maggie May Chords – Mandolin

Rod Stewart’s classic story of a young man’s bittersweet romance with an older woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written to match the original recording’s key of E, or play without a capo as written here in D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G D

It’s late September and I really should be back at school

A7

I know I keep you amused

G D

But I feel I’m being used

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 2

D

The morning sun, when it’s in your face really shows your age

G D

But that don’t worry me none, in my eyes you’re everything

A7

I laughed at all of your jokes

G D

My love you didn’t need to coax

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 3

D

You lured me away from home, just to save you from being alone

G D

You stole my soul, and that’s a pain I can do without

A7

All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand

G D

But you turned into a lover and mother, what a lover

G A7 D

You wore me out, all you did was lead me on

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Bridge

G D

All you did was wreck my bed, and in the morning, kick me in the head

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Verse 4

D

You made a first-class fool out of me

G

But I’m as blind as a fool can be

D

You stole my heart, but I love you anyway

A7

Maggie, I wish I’d never seen your face

G D

I’ll get on back home one of these days

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Outro

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up…

Practice tip: The A7 chord is used frequently as a lead-in back to the D chord; practice the D-A7-D transition until it feels natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Maggie May"?

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

Is "Maggie May" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Maggie May" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "Maggie May"?

It was written by Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton, and released in 1971.

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Key

D

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

D · Em · G · A

Maggie May Chords – Harmonica

Rod Stewart’s classic story of a young man’s bittersweet romance with an older woman. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play the chord shapes as written to match the original recording’s key of E, or play without a capo as written here in D.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G D

It’s late September and I really should be back at school

A7

I know I keep you amused

G D

But I feel I’m being used

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 2

D

The morning sun, when it’s in your face really shows your age

G D

But that don’t worry me none, in my eyes you’re everything

A7

I laughed at all of your jokes

G D

My love you didn’t need to coax

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Verse 3

D

You lured me away from home, just to save you from being alone

G D

You stole my soul, and that’s a pain I can do without

A7

All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand

G D

But you turned into a lover and mother, what a lover

G A7 D

You wore me out, all you did was lead me on

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Bridge

G D

All you did was wreck my bed, and in the morning, kick me in the head

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Verse 4

D

You made a first-class fool out of me

G

But I’m as blind as a fool can be

D

You stole my heart, but I love you anyway

A7

Maggie, I wish I’d never seen your face

G D

I’ll get on back home one of these days

G A7 D

Oh, Maggie, I couldn’t have tried any more

Chorus

G

You led me away from home

D

Just to save you from being alone

G A7

You stole my heart, and that’s what really hurts

Outro

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

G

Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you

D

Wake up…

Practice tip: The A7 chord is used frequently as a lead-in back to the D chord; practice the D-A7-D transition until it feels natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Maggie May"?

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

Is "Maggie May" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Maggie May" in?

It is in the key of D.

Who wrote "Maggie May"?

It was written by Rod Stewart, Martin Quittenton, and released in 1971.