Harry Nilsson - I’d Rather Be Dead Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram
Guitar B7 chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar A7 chord diagram
Guitar E chord diagram
Guitar A chord diagram
[chorus]
I’d rather be [G]dead, I’d rather be [D]dead
I’d rather be dead than wet my [G]bed
I’d rather be dead, I’d rather be [D]dead
I said [B7]dead than wet my [G]bed
[Opening]
Oh, I’d rather be [C]gone than carry [G]on
I’d rather go a[A7]way than feel this [D]way
Oh, I’d rather be [G]there where you haven’t got a [D]care
And you’re better off dead though it doesn’t seem [G]fair
[chorus]
I’d rather be [E]dead, I’d rather be [A]dead
I’d rather be dead than wet my [E]bed
I’d rather be dead, I’d rather be [A]dead
I said [B7]dead than wet my [E]bed
[verse 2]
I’d rather keep my [D]health and dress my[A]self
But you’re better off [B7]dead than sitting on a [E]shelf
I’ll tie my [A]tie ’till the day I [E]die
But if I have to be fed then I’d rather be [A]dead
[Closing]
And when he takes my [D]hand on the very last [A]day
I will under[B7]stand because, it’s better that [E]way
Oh! It’s nice to be [A]alive when the dream comes [E]true
You’ll be better off dead, it could happen to [A]you
[chorus]
I’d rather be [E]dead, I’d rather be [A]dead
I’d rather be [B7]dead than wet my [E]bed
I’d rather be dead, I’d rather be [A]dead
I said [B7]dead than wet my [E]bed
How to play I'd Rather Be Dead on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Harry Nilsson - I'd Rather Be Dead on guitar requires 7 chords and 12 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'd Rather Be Dead uses these transitions most often: E → A (8), A → B7 (5), and B7 → E (5). 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 - D chord transition.
1. G → D chord transition
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.
2. D → B7 chord transition
To move from D to B7;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Place pinky on E string fret 2.
3. B7 → G chord transition
To move from B7 to G;
- While playing B7, lift your pinky from E string fret 2.
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.
4. G → C chord transition
To move from G to C;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
5. G → A7 chord transition
To move from G to A7;
- While playing G, lift your ring finger from E string fret 3.
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to B string fret 2.
6. A7 → D chord transition
To move from A7 to D;
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from B string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on B string fret 3.
7. G → E chord transition
To move from G to E;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to A string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on D string fret 2.
8. E → A chord transition
To move from E to A;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 1 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from D string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 2.
9. A → B7 chord transition
To move from A to B7;
- Slide your index finger on D string from fret 2 to fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Place pinky on E string fret 2.
10. B7 → E chord transition
To move from B7 to E;
- While playing B7, lift your pinky from E string fret 2.
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
11. E → D chord transition
To move from E to D;
- Slide your index finger on G string from fret 1 to fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from D string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 3.
12. D → A chord transition
To move from D to A;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 3 to fret 2.
I'd Rather Be Dead chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in I'd Rather Be Dead.
- I'd Rather Be Dead includes 39 chord transitions, 12 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- I'd Rather Be Dead contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how I'd Rather Be Dead connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After E, the most likely next chords across Chordier are A (25%), D (14%), and B (11%).
- E → A: 25%
- E → D: 14%
After A, the most likely next chords across Chordier are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).- A → D: 29%
- A → E: 12%