Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Atap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
G · C · D · A
Me and Bobby McGee Chords – Guitar
Gtap to play
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Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
G · C · D · A
Me and Bobby McGee Chords – Ukulele
Gtap to play
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Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
G · C · D · A
Me and Bobby McGee Chords – Piano
Gtap to play
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Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
G · C · D · A
Me and Bobby McGee Chords – Banjo
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
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Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
G · C · D · A
Me and Bobby McGee Chords – Mandolin
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Atap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
G · C · D · A
Me and Bobby McGee Chords – Harmonica
Janis Joplin’s signature song about freedom, loss, and life on the road. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.
Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match Janis’s original key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
G – C
G
Em – C
G
Verse 2
G – C
G
Em – C
G
Chorus
C – G
D – G
C – G
D – G
Em – C
Verse 3
G – C
G
Em – C
G
Verse 4
G – C
G
Em – C
G
Chorus
C – G
D – G
C – G
D – G
Em – C
Bridge
Em – C (×2)
Outro Verse
G – C
G
Final Chorus
C – G
D – G
C – G
D – G
Em – C
Practice tip: The G to C and D to G transitions are the most common; practice switching between these chords without pausing your strumming hand to keep the song flowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Me and Bobby McGee"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and A.
Is "Me and Bobby McGee" 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 "Me and Bobby McGee" in?
It is in the key of G.
Who wrote "Me and Bobby McGee"?
It was written by Kris Kristofferson, Fred Foster, and released in 1971.