Rock

Seven Nation Army Chords

The White Stripes Beginner Key of E 4 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

E5tap to play

G5tap to play

A5tap to play

B5tap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

E5 · G5 · A5 · B5

Seven Nation Army Chords – Guitar

That iconic riff is one of the most recognizable in rock history. The song is simpler than it sounds.

Riff-Based (4/4 Time)

↓↓↓↓

1234

Tip: The famous riff is played on a single string with an octave pedal. On guitar, you can play it on the low E string: 7-7-10-7-5-3-2.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E5 G5 E5

I’m gonna fight ’em off, a seven nation army couldn’t hold me back.

E5 G5 E5

They’re gonna rip it off, taking their time right behind my back.

Chorus

A5 E5

And I’m talking to myself at night because I can’t forget.

B5 A5

Back and forth through my mind behind a cigarette.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 4 chords in the key of E: E5 G5 A5 B5. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Seven Nation Army"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E5, G5, A5 and B5.

Is "Seven Nation Army" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Seven Nation Army" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Seven Nation Army"?

It was written by The White Stripes.

E5tap to play

G5tap to play

A5tap to play

B5tap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

E5 · G5 · A5 · B5

Seven Nation Army Chords – Ukulele

That iconic riff is one of the most recognizable in rock history. The song is simpler than it sounds.

Riff-Based (4/4 Time)

↓↓↓↓

1234

Tip: The famous riff is played on a single string with an octave pedal. On guitar, you can play it on the low E string: 7-7-10-7-5-3-2.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E5 G5 E5

I’m gonna fight ’em off, a seven nation army couldn’t hold me back.

E5 G5 E5

They’re gonna rip it off, taking their time right behind my back.

Chorus

A5 E5

And I’m talking to myself at night because I can’t forget.

B5 A5

Back and forth through my mind behind a cigarette.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 4 chords in the key of E: E5 G5 A5 B5. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Seven Nation Army"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E5, G5, A5 and B5.

Is "Seven Nation Army" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Seven Nation Army" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Seven Nation Army"?

It was written by The White Stripes.

E5tap to play

G5tap to play

A5tap to play

B5tap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

E5 · G5 · A5 · B5

Seven Nation Army Chords – Piano

That iconic riff is one of the most recognizable in rock history. The song is simpler than it sounds.

Riff-Based (4/4 Time)

↓↓↓↓

1234

Tip: The famous riff is played on a single string with an octave pedal. On guitar, you can play it on the low E string: 7-7-10-7-5-3-2.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E5 G5 E5

I’m gonna fight ’em off, a seven nation army couldn’t hold me back.

E5 G5 E5

They’re gonna rip it off, taking their time right behind my back.

Chorus

A5 E5

And I’m talking to myself at night because I can’t forget.

B5 A5

Back and forth through my mind behind a cigarette.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 4 chords in the key of E: E5 G5 A5 B5. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Seven Nation Army"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E5, G5, A5 and B5.

Is "Seven Nation Army" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Seven Nation Army" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Seven Nation Army"?

It was written by The White Stripes.

E5tap to play

G5tap to play

A5tap to play

B5tap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

E5 · G5 · A5 · B5

Seven Nation Army Chords – Banjo

That iconic riff is one of the most recognizable in rock history. The song is simpler than it sounds.

Riff-Based (4/4 Time)

↓↓↓↓

1234

Tip: The famous riff is played on a single string with an octave pedal. On guitar, you can play it on the low E string: 7-7-10-7-5-3-2.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E5 G5 E5

I’m gonna fight ’em off, a seven nation army couldn’t hold me back.

E5 G5 E5

They’re gonna rip it off, taking their time right behind my back.

Chorus

A5 E5

And I’m talking to myself at night because I can’t forget.

B5 A5

Back and forth through my mind behind a cigarette.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 4 chords in the key of E: E5 G5 A5 B5. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Seven Nation Army"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E5, G5, A5 and B5.

Is "Seven Nation Army" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Seven Nation Army" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Seven Nation Army"?

It was written by The White Stripes.

E5tap to play

G5tap to play

A5tap to play

B5tap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

E5 · G5 · A5 · B5

Seven Nation Army Chords – Mandolin

That iconic riff is one of the most recognizable in rock history. The song is simpler than it sounds.

Riff-Based (4/4 Time)

↓↓↓↓

1234

Tip: The famous riff is played on a single string with an octave pedal. On guitar, you can play it on the low E string: 7-7-10-7-5-3-2.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E5 G5 E5

I’m gonna fight ’em off, a seven nation army couldn’t hold me back.

E5 G5 E5

They’re gonna rip it off, taking their time right behind my back.

Chorus

A5 E5

And I’m talking to myself at night because I can’t forget.

B5 A5

Back and forth through my mind behind a cigarette.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 4 chords in the key of E: E5 G5 A5 B5. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Seven Nation Army"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E5, G5, A5 and B5.

Is "Seven Nation Army" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Seven Nation Army" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Seven Nation Army"?

It was written by The White Stripes.

E5tap to play

G5tap to play

A5tap to play

B5tap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

E5 · G5 · A5 · B5

Seven Nation Army Chords – Harmonica

That iconic riff is one of the most recognizable in rock history. The song is simpler than it sounds.

Riff-Based (4/4 Time)

↓↓↓↓

1234

Tip: The famous riff is played on a single string with an octave pedal. On guitar, you can play it on the low E string: 7-7-10-7-5-3-2.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E5 G5 E5

I’m gonna fight ’em off, a seven nation army couldn’t hold me back.

E5 G5 E5

They’re gonna rip it off, taking their time right behind my back.

Chorus

A5 E5

And I’m talking to myself at night because I can’t forget.

B5 A5

Back and forth through my mind behind a cigarette.

How to Play

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Learn the chords

This song uses 4 chords in the key of E: E5 G5 A5 B5. Get each shape clean on its own first.

2

Practice the changes

Switch slowly between the two hardest chords in a loop until the move feels automatic — no strumming yet.

3

Add the strumming

Bring in a simple down-strum once the changes are smooth, then build up to the song’s rhythm.

4

Play along

Play with the original track to lock in the timing and feel.

Tip: Loop the two hardest chord changes slowly before adding any strumming — clean, in-time changes matter more than speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Seven Nation Army"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E5, G5, A5 and B5.

Is "Seven Nation Army" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Seven Nation Army" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Seven Nation Army"?

It was written by The White Stripes.