Johnny Cash - Cocaine Blues Chords

ChordsC, G, F

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 D,A,G keys to play this song with easier chords.

CEarlyonemornin’whilemakin’therounds,ItookashotofcocaineandI

GShotmywomandown.IwentrighthomeandIwenttobed.

CIstuckthatlovin’.44beneathmyhead

CGotupnextmornin’andIgrabbedthatgun,tookashotofcocaineand

GAwayIrun.MadeagoodrunbutIruntooslow

CTheyovertookmedowninJuarez,Mexico.

CLateinthehotjointstakin’thepills,inwalkedthesherifffrom

GJerichoHill.HesaidWillyLeeyournameisnotJackBrown.

CYou’rethedirtyhackthatshotyourwomandown.

CSaidyes,ohyesmynameisWillyLee,ifyou’vegotthewarrantjust

GA-readittome.Shotherdownbecauseshemademeslow.

CIthoughtIwasherdaddybutshehadfivemore.

CWhenIwasarrestedIwasdressedinblack,theyputmeonatrainandthey

GTookmeback.Hadnofriendfortogomybail.

CTheyslappedmydriedupcarcassinthatcountyjail

CEarlynextmornin’aboutahalfpastnine,Ispiedthesheriffcoming

GDowntheline.Talkedandhecoughedasheclearedhisthroat,hesaid

CComeonyoudirtyheckintothatdistrictcourt.

CIntothecourtroommytrialbeganwhereIwashandledby

GTwelvehonestmen.Justbeforethejurystartedout

CIsawthelittlejudgecommencetolookabout.

CInaboutfiveminutesinwalkedaman,Holdingtheverdictin

GHisrighthand.Theverdictreadinthefirstdegree.

CIholleredLawdyLawdy,haveamercyonme.

CThejudgehesmiledashepickeduphispen99yearsinthe

GFolsompen.99yearsunderneaththatground.

CIcan’tforgetthedayIshotthatbadbitchdown.

CComeonyou’vegottalisten

FUntome,GlayoffthatwhiskeyandletthatcocaineCbe.

ArtistJohnny Cash

AlbumAt Folsom Prison

GenresCountry

Year1968

KeyC

DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Cocaine Blues on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Johnny Cash - Cocaine Blues on guitar requires 3 chords and 3 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.

Cocaine Blues uses these transitions most often: G → C (10), C → G (9), and C → F (1). 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 C - G chord transition.

1. C → G chord transition

Switching from C to G:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 9 times.

2. C → F chord transition

To move from C to F:

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

This transition appears in the verse.

3. F → G chord transition

Switching from F to G:

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

This transition appears in the verse.

Cocaine Blues chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Cocaine Blues.

Cocaine Blues includes 21 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
Cocaine Blues contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how Cocaine Blues connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
- C → G: 35%
- C → F: 16%
After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
- G → C: 25%