Rock

Ventura Highway Chords

America Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Dmtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · Dm · C · Am

Ventura Highway Chords – Guitar

America’s breezy folk-rock classic with a laid-back California vibe. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Breezy Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret for the original key. Keep the strumming light and airy to capture the song’s sunny feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Chewing on a piece of grass

Em

Walking down the road

G

Tell me, how long you gonna

Em

Stay here, Joe?

G

Some people say this town don’t

Em

Look good in snow

G Em

You don’t care, I know

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Verse 2

G

Wishin’ on a falling star

Em

Watchin’ for the early train

G

Sorry boy, but I’ve been hit

Em

By purple rain

G

Aw, come on, Joe, you can

Em

Always change your name

G Em

Thanks a lot, son, just the same

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Bridge

AmGAmG

Am G

Cause the free wind is blowin’ through your hair

Am G

And the days surround your daylight there

Am G

Seasons crying no despair

Am G

Alligator lizards in the air, in the air

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Practice tip: The verse alternates between G and Em — two of the easiest chords on guitar. Focus on making the D chord transition in the chorus smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ventura Highway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Dm, C and Am.

Is "Ventura Highway" 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 "Ventura Highway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ventura Highway"?

It was written by Dewey Bunnell, and released in 1972.

Gtap to play

Dmtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · Dm · C · Am

Ventura Highway Chords – Ukulele

America’s breezy folk-rock classic with a laid-back California vibe. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Breezy Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret for the original key. Keep the strumming light and airy to capture the song’s sunny feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Chewing on a piece of grass

Em

Walking down the road

G

Tell me, how long you gonna

Em

Stay here, Joe?

G

Some people say this town don’t

Em

Look good in snow

G Em

You don’t care, I know

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Verse 2

G

Wishin’ on a falling star

Em

Watchin’ for the early train

G

Sorry boy, but I’ve been hit

Em

By purple rain

G

Aw, come on, Joe, you can

Em

Always change your name

G Em

Thanks a lot, son, just the same

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Bridge

AmGAmG

Am G

Cause the free wind is blowin’ through your hair

Am G

And the days surround your daylight there

Am G

Seasons crying no despair

Am G

Alligator lizards in the air, in the air

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Practice tip: The verse alternates between G and Em — two of the easiest chords on guitar. Focus on making the D chord transition in the chorus smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ventura Highway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Dm, C and Am.

Is "Ventura Highway" 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 "Ventura Highway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ventura Highway"?

It was written by Dewey Bunnell, and released in 1972.

Gtap to play

Dmtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · Dm · C · Am

Ventura Highway Chords – Piano

America’s breezy folk-rock classic with a laid-back California vibe. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Breezy Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret for the original key. Keep the strumming light and airy to capture the song’s sunny feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Chewing on a piece of grass

Em

Walking down the road

G

Tell me, how long you gonna

Em

Stay here, Joe?

G

Some people say this town don’t

Em

Look good in snow

G Em

You don’t care, I know

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Verse 2

G

Wishin’ on a falling star

Em

Watchin’ for the early train

G

Sorry boy, but I’ve been hit

Em

By purple rain

G

Aw, come on, Joe, you can

Em

Always change your name

G Em

Thanks a lot, son, just the same

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Bridge

AmGAmG

Am G

Cause the free wind is blowin’ through your hair

Am G

And the days surround your daylight there

Am G

Seasons crying no despair

Am G

Alligator lizards in the air, in the air

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Practice tip: The verse alternates between G and Em — two of the easiest chords on guitar. Focus on making the D chord transition in the chorus smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ventura Highway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Dm, C and Am.

Is "Ventura Highway" 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 "Ventura Highway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ventura Highway"?

It was written by Dewey Bunnell, and released in 1972.

Gtap to play

Dmtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · Dm · C · Am

Ventura Highway Chords – Banjo

America’s breezy folk-rock classic with a laid-back California vibe. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Breezy Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret for the original key. Keep the strumming light and airy to capture the song’s sunny feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Chewing on a piece of grass

Em

Walking down the road

G

Tell me, how long you gonna

Em

Stay here, Joe?

G

Some people say this town don’t

Em

Look good in snow

G Em

You don’t care, I know

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Verse 2

G

Wishin’ on a falling star

Em

Watchin’ for the early train

G

Sorry boy, but I’ve been hit

Em

By purple rain

G

Aw, come on, Joe, you can

Em

Always change your name

G Em

Thanks a lot, son, just the same

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Bridge

AmGAmG

Am G

Cause the free wind is blowin’ through your hair

Am G

And the days surround your daylight there

Am G

Seasons crying no despair

Am G

Alligator lizards in the air, in the air

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Practice tip: The verse alternates between G and Em — two of the easiest chords on guitar. Focus on making the D chord transition in the chorus smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ventura Highway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Dm, C and Am.

Is "Ventura Highway" 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 "Ventura Highway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ventura Highway"?

It was written by Dewey Bunnell, and released in 1972.

Gtap to play

Dmtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · Dm · C · Am

Ventura Highway Chords – Mandolin

America’s breezy folk-rock classic with a laid-back California vibe. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Breezy Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret for the original key. Keep the strumming light and airy to capture the song’s sunny feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Chewing on a piece of grass

Em

Walking down the road

G

Tell me, how long you gonna

Em

Stay here, Joe?

G

Some people say this town don’t

Em

Look good in snow

G Em

You don’t care, I know

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Verse 2

G

Wishin’ on a falling star

Em

Watchin’ for the early train

G

Sorry boy, but I’ve been hit

Em

By purple rain

G

Aw, come on, Joe, you can

Em

Always change your name

G Em

Thanks a lot, son, just the same

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Bridge

AmGAmG

Am G

Cause the free wind is blowin’ through your hair

Am G

And the days surround your daylight there

Am G

Seasons crying no despair

Am G

Alligator lizards in the air, in the air

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Practice tip: The verse alternates between G and Em — two of the easiest chords on guitar. Focus on making the D chord transition in the chorus smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ventura Highway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Dm, C and Am.

Is "Ventura Highway" 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 "Ventura Highway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ventura Highway"?

It was written by Dewey Bunnell, and released in 1972.

Gtap to play

Dmtap to play

Ctap to play

Amtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · Dm · C · Am

Ventura Highway Chords – Harmonica

America’s breezy folk-rock classic with a laid-back California vibe. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Breezy Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret for the original key. Keep the strumming light and airy to capture the song’s sunny feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G

Chewing on a piece of grass

Em

Walking down the road

G

Tell me, how long you gonna

Em

Stay here, Joe?

G

Some people say this town don’t

Em

Look good in snow

G Em

You don’t care, I know

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Verse 2

G

Wishin’ on a falling star

Em

Watchin’ for the early train

G

Sorry boy, but I’ve been hit

Em

By purple rain

G

Aw, come on, Joe, you can

Em

Always change your name

G Em

Thanks a lot, son, just the same

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Bridge

AmGAmG

Am G

Cause the free wind is blowin’ through your hair

Am G

And the days surround your daylight there

Am G

Seasons crying no despair

Am G

Alligator lizards in the air, in the air

Chorus

D Em G

Ventura Highway in the sunshine

D

Where the days are longer

Em G

The nights are stronger than moonshine

D G

You’re gonna go, I know

Practice tip: The verse alternates between G and Em — two of the easiest chords on guitar. Focus on making the D chord transition in the chorus smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Ventura Highway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, Dm, C and Am.

Is "Ventura Highway" 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 "Ventura Highway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "Ventura Highway"?

It was written by Dewey Bunnell, and released in 1972.