Melanie Safka - The Nickel Song Chords

ChordsF, Bb, C

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

FBbFCF

CWell,youFknowthatI’mnotagambler

ButI’mBbbeinggambledon

TheyputinaFnickelandICsingalittleFsong

FDaddadaddadaddadada

DadnBbdadaddadada

TheyputinaFnickelandICsingalittleFsong

FWellIdon’tmindthatthey’relucky,butitBbseemsliketheyalwayswin

Andgamblingis FillegalintheCstateofmindI’mFin

FAndifIhadanickelforeachBbtimethatI’vebeenputon

IwouldbetheFnickelmanandI’dCsinganickelFsong

Youknow,hey’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickel

AndtheyCwantadollarFsong

Oh,they’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickel

AndtheyCwantadollarFsong

FWell,youknowIknowIdon’tknowsomanythings

ButIBbknowwhat’sbeengoingon

We’reonlyputtinginaFlittletogetCridofalotthat’sFwrong

AndifwehadanickelforeachBbtimethatwe’vebeenputon

We’dallbetheFnickelmanandwe’dCsinganickelFsong,youknow

They’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickel

AndtheyCwantadollarFsong

Oh,they’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickel

AndtheyCwantadollarFsong

FWell,youknowthatI’mnotagambler

ButI’mBbbeinggambledon

TheyputinaFnickelandICsingalittleFsong

FDaddadaddadaddadada

DadnBbdadaddadada

DaddadaddaFdada,DadaCdaddadaFda

DadadaBbdadadnFdadada

CDadadadaFdaddadada

BbDadadadaFdaddadada

CDadadadaFdaddadada

They’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickelandtheyCwantadollarFsong

We’reonlyputtinginaFlittletogetCridofalot.

They’reBbonlyputtinginaFnickelandtheyCwantadollarFsong

ArtistMelanie Safka

AlbumThe Good Book

GenresFolk, Folk Rock, Rock

Year1971

KeyF

DifficultyAdvanced

How to play The Nickel Song on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Melanie Safka - The Nickel Song 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.

The Nickel Song uses these transitions most often: F → C (19), C → F (18), and Bb → F (17). 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 F - Bb chord transition.

1. F → Bb chord transition

To move from F to Bb:

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

This transition appears in the chorus, played 16 times.

2. 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 chorus, played 19 times.

3. C → Bb chord transition

To move from C to Bb:

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

This transition appears in the verse.

The Nickel Song chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in The Nickel Song.

The Nickel Song includes 71 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
The Nickel Song contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how The Nickel Song connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After F, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
- F → C: 40%
- F → Bb: 5%
After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
- C → F: 16%
- C → Bb: 2%