Etta James - I’d Rather Go Blind Chords

ChordsA, F#m, Bm

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 G,C keys to play this song with easier chords.

ASomethingF#mtoldmeAitwasBmover

F#mheyeyeyBmey

whenIsawyouandherAtalking,

SomethingdeepdowninmyBmsoulsaid,‘CryGirl’,

AAhhhBmcry

whenIsawyouandthatAgirl,walkingout.

Iwouldrather,IwouldrathergoBmblindboy,

Thantoseeyou,walkawayfrommeAchild,andall.

OooooAsoyousee,IloveyousomuchF#m

BmThatIdon’twanttowatchyouleavemebaby,F#mBm

Mostofall,Ijustdon’t,Ijustdon’twanttobeAfreeno

Iwasjust,IwasBmjust,IwasjustsittingherethinkingF#mBm

Ofyourkissesandyourwarm Aembrace,yeah,

WhenthereflectionintheF#mglass

thatIBmheldtomylipsnowbaby,

F#myeyeyeyBmyey

RevealedthetearsthatwasonmyAface,yeah.

Andbaby,baby,IwouldratherbeBmblindboy

Thantoseeyouwalkaway,seeyouwalkawayfromAme,yeah

Baby,baby,baby,I’dratherbeBmblindnow

Thantoseeyouwalkaway,seeyouwalkawayfromAme,yeah

ArtistEtta James

AlbumTell Mama

GenresBlues, Soul

Year1968

KeyA

DifficultyAdvanced

How to play I'd Rather Go Blind on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Etta James - I'd Rather Go Blind on guitar requires 3 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'd Rather Go Blind uses these transitions most often: Bm → A (9), A → Bm (7), and F#m → Bm (6). 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 - F#m chord transition.

1. A → F#m chord transition

Switching from A to F#m:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 3 times.

2. A → Bm chord transition

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 7 times.

3. Bm → F#m chord transition

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

While playing Bm, lift your middle finger from B string fret 3.
Keep index finger on E string fret 2.
Lift your ring finger from D string fret 4 and place it on A string fret 4.
Slide your pinky from G string fret 4 to D string fret 4.

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

I'd Rather Go Blind chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in I'd Rather Go Blind.

I'd Rather Go Blind includes 30 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
I'd Rather Go Blind contains 1 of the top 25 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how I'd Rather Go Blind connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After Bm, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (25%), A (19%), and Em (13%).
- Bm → A: 19%
- Bm → F#m: 4%
After A, the most likely next chords across Chordier are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
- A → Bm: 8%
- A → F#m: 6%