Bob Dylan - I Shall Be Released Chords

ChordsA, Bm, C#m, E7

Strumming↓↑-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

ATheysayeverythingcanbeBmreplaced

C#mYeteveryBmdistanceisnotAnear

ASoIremembereveryBmface

C#mOfeveryBmmanwhoputmeAhere.E7

AIseemylightcomeBmshining

C#mFromtheBmwestuntotheAeast.

AAnydaynow,

BmAnydaynow,

C#mIBmshallbeAreleased

ATheysayeverymanneedsBmprotection.

C#mTheysayeveryBmmanmustAfall.

AYetIswearIseemyBmreflection,

C#mSomewheresoBmhighabovetheAwall.E7

AIseemylightcomeBmshining

C#mFromtheBmwestuntotheAeast.

AAnydaynow,

BmAnydaynow,

C#mIBmshallbeAreleased

AWellyonderstands

amaninthisBmlonelycrowd,

C#mAmanwhoBmswearshenottoAblame.

AAlldaylongIhearhimcryBmshoutingloud,

C#mCallingoutBmthathe’sbeenAframed.

AIseemylightcomeBmshining

C#mFromtheBmwestuntotheAeast.

AAnydaynow,

BmAnydaynow,

C#mIBmshallbeAreleased

ArtistBob Dylan

AlbumBob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II

GenresFolk, Folk Rock, Rock

Year1971

KeyA

DifficultyAdvanced

How to play I Shall Be Released on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Bob Dylan - I Shall Be Released on guitar requires 4 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.

I Shall Be Released uses these transitions most often: A → Bm (12), Bm → A (12), and Bm → C#m (12). 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 A - Bm chord transition.

1. A → Bm chord transition

Here's how to move from A to Bm:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 12 times.

2. Bm → C#m chord transition

Here's how to move from Bm to C#m:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 12 times.

3. A → E7 chord transition

Here's how to move from A to E7:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 6 times.

I Shall Be Released chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in I Shall Be Released.

I Shall Be Released includes 60 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
I Shall Be Released contains 1 of the top 25 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how I Shall Be Released connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After A, the most likely next chords across Chordier are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
- A → Bm: 8%
- A → E7: 4%
After Bm, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (25%), A (19%), and Em (13%).
- Bm → A: 19%
- Bm → C#m: 1%