Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
G · C · D · Em
Shouldve Been a Cowboy Chords – Guitar
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
Shouldve Been a Cowboy Chords – Ukulele
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
Shouldve Been a Cowboy Chords – Piano
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
Shouldve Been a Cowboy Chords – Banjo
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
Shouldve Been a Cowboy Chords – Mandolin
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
Shouldve Been a Cowboy Chords – Harmonica
Toby Keith’s hit song about romanticizing the life of an Old West cowboy. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.
Country Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, but play the G, C, and D shapes shown.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
G – C
G – D
C
G – D
C – G (×3)
D – G
Chorus
G
C
G
D
G
C
D – G
Verse 2
G – C
G – D
C – G – D
G – C – G – D – G
Chorus
G
C
G
D
G
C
D – G
Bridge
C – G
C – G – D
C – G
D
Verse 3
G – C
G – D
C – G – D
G – C – G – D – G
Chorus
G
C
G
D
G
C
D – G
Outro
G
C
G
D
G
C
D – G (×2)
Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D is used throughout; practice switching between these three chords smoothly before adding the lyrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Shouldve Been a Cowboy"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.
Is "Shouldve Been a Cowboy" 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 "Shouldve Been a Cowboy" in?
It is in the key of G.
Who wrote "Shouldve Been a Cowboy"?
It was written by Toby Keith, and released in 1993.