Jimmie Rodgers - Frankie and Johnny Chords
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,D keys to play this song with easier chords.
Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar C7 chord diagram
Guitar F chord diagram
Guitar G7 chord diagram
[Opening]
[C]Frankie and Johnny were lovers, oh how they could [C7]love
They [F]promised to be true to each other, true as the stars a[C]bove
He was her [G7]man, he wouldn’t do her no [C]wrong [F] [C]
[verse 2]
[C]Frankie went down to the corner, to get a pint of [C7]beer
She [F]asked that old bartender, “has my lovin’ Johnny been [C]here?”
He’s my [G7]man, he wouldn’t do me no [C]wrong [F] [C]
[verse 3]
[C]Well, I ain’t gonna tell you no story, ain’t gonna tell you no [C7]lie
He’s [F]here bout’ an hour ago with a gal named Nelly [C]Blie
He may be your [G7]man, but he’s doin’ you [C]wrong [F] [C]
[verse 4]
[C]Frankie went down to the hotel, didn’t go there for [C7]fun
Under [F]neath her red kimono, she was packin’ a 44 [C]gun
To shoot her [G7]man, cause he’s doin’ her [C]wrong [F] [C]
[verse 5]
[C]Johnny took off his Stetson hat, Said, “Baby please don’t [C7]shoot!”
She put her [F]finger on the trigger and the gun went Blooty [C]Too!
She killed her [G7]man, cause he was doin’ her [C]wrong [F] [C]
[verse 6]
[C]That’s the end of my story, that’s the end of my [C7]song
They got [F]Frankie in the county jail and the gal’s been there so [C]long
She killed her [G7]man, cause he was doin’ her [C]wrong [F] [C]
[Closing]
She killed her [G7]man, cause he was doin’ her [C]wrong [F] [C]
How to play Frankie and Johnny on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Jimmie Rodgers - Frankie and Johnny on guitar requires 4 chords and 4 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.
Frankie and Johnny uses these transitions most often: F → C (13), C → F (7), and C → G7 (7). 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 - C7 chord transition.
1. C → C7 chord transition
To move from C to C7;
- Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
- Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.
- Place pinky on G string fret 3.
2. C7 → F chord transition
To move from C7 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.
- Lift your pinky from G string fret 3 and place it on D string fret 3.
3. 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.
4. C → G7 chord transition
To move from C to G7;
- 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 1.
Frankie and Johnny chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Frankie and Johnny.
- Frankie and Johnny includes 46 chord transitions, 4 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Frankie and Johnny contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Frankie and Johnny 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 → F: 16%
- C → G7: 2%
After F, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).- F → C: 40%