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Harry Nilsson - I’d Rather Be Dead Chords

Chord reference G, D, B7, A7, E
Rhythm tips ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

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

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

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

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

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

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

Artist Harry Nilsson
Album Son of Schmilsson
Genres Pop
Year 1972
Key G

How to Play I'd Rather Be Dead on Guitar?

Harry Nilsson - I'd Rather Be Dead can be played in the key of G using the G, D, B7, A7, E chords.

  • For G, To play G, press fret 2 on the A string with finger 2, let D, G, B ring open, mute low E, high E.
  • For D, To play D, press fret 2 on the low E string with finger 2, press fret 2 on the G string with finger 2, press fret 2 on the high E string with finger 2, let A, D ring open, mute B.
  • For B7, To play B7, press fret 2 on the low E string with finger 3, press fret 1 on the D string with finger 2, press fret 2 on the G string with finger 3, press fret 2 on the high E string with finger 3, let A, B ring open.
  • For A7, To play A7, let low E, A, G, high E ring open, mute D, B.
  • For E, To play E, press fret 1 on the G string with finger 2, let low E, B, high E ring open, mute A, D.

Barre: Use your index finger to press multiple strings on the same fret, keeping your finger flat.

You can play I'd Rather Be Dead with the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ strumming pattern.