Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son Chords

ChordsG, F, C, D

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,D,E keys to play this song with easier chords.

GSomefolksareborn,Fmadetowavetheflag

COohthey’reredwhiteGandblue

GAndwhenthebandplaysFhailtothechief

COohtheypointthecannonsGatyou,y’all

GItain’tme,DItain’tme,CIain’tnosenatorssonGy’all

GItain’tme,ItDain’tme,Iain’tCnofortunateone,noG

GSomefolksareborn,Fsilverspooninhand

CLordtheydon’thelpGthemselves,y’all

GButwhenthetaxmanFcomestothedoor

CLordthehouselookslikearummagesaleGyeah

GItain’tme,DItain’tmeICain’tnomillionairesGson,no

GItain’tme,ItDain’tmeIain’tCnofortunateone,noG

GSomefolksinheritFstarspangledeyes

COohtheysendyoudownGtowar,Lord

GAndwhenyouaskemF”Howmuchshouldwegive?”

CTheyonlyanswer“More!GMore!More!”ohh

GItain’tme,DItain’tme,CIain’tnoGmilitaryson,son

GItain’tme,ItDain’tme,ICain’tnofortunateone,noG

GItain’tme,Ditain’tme,CIain’tnoGfortunateone,nonono

GItain’tme,it Dain’tme,I Cain’tno Gfortunateson,nonono

ArtistCreedence Clearwater Revival

AlbumWilly and the Poor Boys

GenresRock, Classic Rock

Year1969

KeyG

DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Fortunate Son on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son 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.

Fortunate Son uses these transitions most often: C → G (14), D → C (8), and G → D (8). 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 - F chord transition.

1. G → F chord transition

Switching from G to F:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 6 times.

2. F → C chord transition

To move from F to C:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 6 times.

3. 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 14 times.

4. G → D chord transition

Here's how to move from G to D:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

Fortunate Son chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Fortunate Son.

Fortunate Son includes 42 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
Fortunate Son contains 5 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how Fortunate Son 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 → D: 24%
- G → F: 9%
After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
- C → G: 35%

1. G → F chord transition

2. F → C chord transition

3. C → G chord transition

4. G → D chord transition

5. D → C chord transition