Skip to song content

Elvis Presley - Big Boss Man Chords

ChordsG, C7, D7, G7
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to A,E keys to play this song with easier chords.

GBigbossman,can’tyouhearmewhenIcall?
BigbossC7man,can’tyouhearmewhenIGcall?
(Can’tyouhearmewhenIcall)
WellyouD7ain’tsobig,
C7you’rejusttallthat’sG7all,allright
WellyouGgotmeworkin’bossman
GWorkin’roundtheclock,
GIwannalittledrinkofwater
G7Butyouwon’tletmestop
BigbossC7mannowcan’tyouhearmewhenIGcall?Allright
IsaidyouD7ain’tsobig,
C7you’rejusttallthat’sG7all,
GBigbossman,can’tyouhearmewhenIcall?
BigbossC7man,can’tyouhearmewhenIGcall?
(Can’tyouhearmewhenIcall)
WellyouD7ain’tsobig,
C7you’rejusttallthat’sG7all,allright
GI’mgonnagetmeabossman
GOnewho’sgonnatreatmeright,
GIworkhardinthedaytime,
G7Resteasyatnight
BigbossC7mannowcan’tyouhearmewhenIGcall?
IsaidyouD7ain’tsobig,
C7you’rejusttallthat’sG7all
GI’mgonnagetmeabossman
GOnewho’sgonnatreatmeright,
GIworkhardinthedaytime,
G7Resteasyatnight
BigbossC7mannowcan’tyouhearmewhenIGcall?
IsaidyouD7ain’tsobig,
C7you’rejusttallthat’sGall
AlbumClambake Soundtrack
Year1967
KeyG
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Big Boss Man on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Elvis Presley - Big Boss Man on guitar requires 4 chords and 5 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Big Boss Man uses these transitions most often: C7 → G (6), D7 → C7 (5), and G → D7 (5). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with G - C7 chord transition.

1. G → C7 chord transition

Here's how to move from G to C7:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
  4. Place pinky on G string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

G to C7

2. G → D7 chord transition

To move from G to D7:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to G string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 3 to fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 5 times.

G to D7

3. D7 → C7 chord transition

To move from D7 to C7:

  1. Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
  2. Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger from E string fret 2 to A string fret 3.
  4. Place pinky on G string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 5 times.

D7 to C7

4. C7 → G7 chord transition

To move from C7 to G7:

  1. While playing C7, lift your pinky from G string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  4. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 1.

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

C7 to G7

5. G7 → G chord transition

To move from G7 to G:

  1. Keep index finger on A string fret 2.
  2. Keep middle finger on E string fret 3.
  3. Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 1 to fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Big Boss Man.

  • Big Boss Man includes 32 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Big Boss Man connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → G7: 2%
    • G → D7: 1%
    After C7, the most likely next chords across Chordier are F (62%), C (4%), and Gm (4%).
    • C7 → G: 4%
    • C7 → G7: 2%