Jimmie Rodgers - Frankie and Johnny Chords

ChordsC, C7, F, 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,D keys to play this song with easier chords.

CFrankieandJohnnywerelovers,ohhowtheycouldC7love

TheyFpromisedtobetruetoeachother,trueasthestars Cabove

HewasherG7man,hewouldn’tdohernoCwrongFC

CFrankiewentdowntothecorner,togetapintofC7beer

SheFaskedthatoldbartender,“hasmylovin’JohnnybeenChere?”

He’smyG7man,hewouldn’tdomenoCwrongFC

CWell,Iain’tgonnatellyounostory,ain’tgonnatellyounoC7lie

He’sFherebout’anhouragowithagalnamedNellyCBlie

HemaybeyourG7man,buthe’sdoin’youCwrongFC

CFrankiewentdowntothehotel,didn’tgothereforC7fun

UnderFneathherredkimono,shewaspackin’a44Cgun

ToshootherG7man,causehe’sdoin’herCwrongFC

CJohnnytookoffhisStetsonhat,Said,“Babypleasedon’tC7shoot!”

SheputherFfingeronthetriggerandthegunwentBlootyCToo!

ShekilledherG7man,causehewasdoin’herCwrongFC

CThat’stheendofmystory,that’stheendofmyC7song

TheygotFFrankieinthecountyjailandthegal’sbeentheresoClong

ShekilledherG7man,causehewasdoin’herCwrongFC

ArtistJimmie Rodgers

AlbumSingle

GenresCountry

Year1930

KeyC

DifficultyAdvanced

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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 6 times.

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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 6 times.

3. F → C chord transition

Switching 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 13 times.

4. C → G7 chord transition

Switching 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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 7 times.

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%