Folk, Rock

Sundown Chords

Gordon Lightfoot Beginner Key of E 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

E · A · B · G

Sundown Chords – Guitar

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Outro

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sundown"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and G.

Is "Sundown" 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 "Sundown" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Sundown"?

It was written by Gordon Lightfoot, and released in 1974.

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

E · A · B · G

Sundown Chords – Ukulele

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Outro

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sundown"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and G.

Is "Sundown" 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 "Sundown" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Sundown"?

It was written by Gordon Lightfoot, and released in 1974.

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

E · A · B · G

Sundown Chords – Piano

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Outro

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sundown"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and G.

Is "Sundown" 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 "Sundown" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Sundown"?

It was written by Gordon Lightfoot, and released in 1974.

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

E · A · B · G

Sundown Chords – Banjo

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Outro

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sundown"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and G.

Is "Sundown" 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 "Sundown" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Sundown"?

It was written by Gordon Lightfoot, and released in 1974.

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

E · A · B · G

Sundown Chords – Mandolin

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Outro

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sundown"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and G.

Is "Sundown" 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 "Sundown" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Sundown"?

It was written by Gordon Lightfoot, and released in 1974.

Etap to play

Atap to play

Btap to play

Gtap to play

Key

E

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

E · A · B · G

Sundown Chords – Harmonica

Gordon Lightfoot’s classic 1974 folk-rock hit about suspicion and desire. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Folk Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret and play G, C, and D shapes to match the original recording’s key of A, or play these E-family chords open for the key of E.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

E B

I can see her lying back in her satined sheets

E A E

I can see her sunset in her eyes

B E A E

Brown skinned woman got her spells on me

B E A E

Brown skinned woman you’re my weakness and I can’t deny

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 2

E B

Sometimes I think it’s a sin

E A E

When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

B E A E

I can see her looking fast in her rear view mirror

B E A E

She must be thinking of her man who’s a poor man’s son

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Bridge

E B

I can picture every move that a man could make

E A E B

Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

E A

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Verse 3

E B

Sometimes I sit here thinking just what I might do

E A E

Sometimes I think it’s a sin when I get blue

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

B E A E

She’s been looking like a queen in a soldier’s dream

Chorus

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Outro

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

A E

Sundown, you better take care

B E A

If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

Practice tip: The song uses only three chords (E, A, B). Master the transition from E to B, as it’s the trickiest move. Strum steadily and let the lyrics carry the mood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Sundown"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: E, A, B and G.

Is "Sundown" 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 "Sundown" in?

It is in the key of E.

Who wrote "Sundown"?

It was written by Gordon Lightfoot, and released in 1974.