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Simple Man Chords – Guitar
A timeless southern rock ballad with just three chords. One of the easiest classic rock songs to learn.
Southern Rock Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: The iconic intro is an arpeggio pattern: pick through C-G-Am slowly. Each chord gets two beats. Let the notes ring into each other.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C G
Mama told me when I was young
Am
Come sit beside me, my only son
C G Am
And listen closely to what I say
C G Am
And if you do this, it’ll help you some sunny day
Chorus
C G Am
Oh, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, be something you love and understand
C G Am
Baby, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 3 chords in the key of A: C G Am. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Simple Man"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and Am.
Is "Simple Man" 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 "Simple Man" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Simple Man"?
It was written by Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and released in 1973.
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Simple Man Chords – Ukulele
A timeless southern rock ballad with just three chords. One of the easiest classic rock songs to learn.
Southern Rock Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: The iconic intro is an arpeggio pattern: pick through C-G-Am slowly. Each chord gets two beats. Let the notes ring into each other.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C G
Mama told me when I was young
Am
Come sit beside me, my only son
C G Am
And listen closely to what I say
C G Am
And if you do this, it’ll help you some sunny day
Chorus
C G Am
Oh, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, be something you love and understand
C G Am
Baby, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 3 chords in the key of A: C G Am. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Simple Man"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and Am.
Is "Simple Man" 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 "Simple Man" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Simple Man"?
It was written by Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and released in 1973.
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Simple Man Chords – Piano
A timeless southern rock ballad with just three chords. One of the easiest classic rock songs to learn.
Southern Rock Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: The iconic intro is an arpeggio pattern: pick through C-G-Am slowly. Each chord gets two beats. Let the notes ring into each other.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C G
Mama told me when I was young
Am
Come sit beside me, my only son
C G Am
And listen closely to what I say
C G Am
And if you do this, it’ll help you some sunny day
Chorus
C G Am
Oh, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, be something you love and understand
C G Am
Baby, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 3 chords in the key of A: C G Am. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Simple Man"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and Am.
Is "Simple Man" 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 "Simple Man" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Simple Man"?
It was written by Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and released in 1973.
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Simple Man Chords – Banjo
A timeless southern rock ballad with just three chords. One of the easiest classic rock songs to learn.
Southern Rock Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: The iconic intro is an arpeggio pattern: pick through C-G-Am slowly. Each chord gets two beats. Let the notes ring into each other.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C G
Mama told me when I was young
Am
Come sit beside me, my only son
C G Am
And listen closely to what I say
C G Am
And if you do this, it’ll help you some sunny day
Chorus
C G Am
Oh, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, be something you love and understand
C G Am
Baby, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 3 chords in the key of A: C G Am. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Simple Man"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and Am.
Is "Simple Man" 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 "Simple Man" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Simple Man"?
It was written by Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and released in 1973.
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Simple Man Chords – Mandolin
A timeless southern rock ballad with just three chords. One of the easiest classic rock songs to learn.
Southern Rock Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: The iconic intro is an arpeggio pattern: pick through C-G-Am slowly. Each chord gets two beats. Let the notes ring into each other.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C G
Mama told me when I was young
Am
Come sit beside me, my only son
C G Am
And listen closely to what I say
C G Am
And if you do this, it’ll help you some sunny day
Chorus
C G Am
Oh, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, be something you love and understand
C G Am
Baby, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 3 chords in the key of A: C G Am. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Simple Man"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and Am.
Is "Simple Man" 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 "Simple Man" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Simple Man"?
It was written by Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and released in 1973.
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Amtap to play
Simple Man Chords – Harmonica
A timeless southern rock ballad with just three chords. One of the easiest classic rock songs to learn.
Southern Rock Ballad (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456
Tip: The iconic intro is an arpeggio pattern: pick through C-G-Am slowly. Each chord gets two beats. Let the notes ring into each other.
Lyrics & Chords
Full Song
Verse 1
C G
Mama told me when I was young
Am
Come sit beside me, my only son
C G Am
And listen closely to what I say
C G Am
And if you do this, it’ll help you some sunny day
Chorus
C G Am
Oh, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, be something you love and understand
C G Am
Baby, be a simple kind of man
C G Am
Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can
How to Play
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Learn the chords
This song uses 3 chords in the key of A: C G Am. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Simple Man"?
You need 3 beginner-friendly chords: C, G and Am.
Is "Simple Man" 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 "Simple Man" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "Simple Man"?
It was written by Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and released in 1973.