Skip to song content

James Taylor - Our Town Chords

ChordsC, G, F, Am
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 D,A,G keys to play this song with easier chords.

CLongago,GbutnotsoveryClongago
TheFworldwasGdifferent,oh,Cyes,itwas
YousettledGdownandyouAmbuiltatownandmadeitthere
AndyouwatcheditGgrow,itwasFyourGtown
CG
CTimegoesbyandGtimebringschanges
AmYou’vechangedtoo
FNothingcomesthatGyoucan’thandle
CSoonyougo
CYouneverseeitGcoming
WhentheAmworldcavesCinonFyou
FOnyourGtown,FnothingyoucanGdo
CMainStreetisn’tFMainStreet Canymore
CLightsdon’tshineasFbrightlyastheyGshonebefore
AmTellthetruth,Clightsdon’tshineatFall
FInourGtown
CG
CThesuncomesupeachGmorningjustlikeit’sCalwaysdone
FGetup,gotoGworkandstarttheCday
YouCopenupforGbusiness
That’sAmneverCgonnaFcome
AstheFworldrollsAmbyaFmillionmiles Gaway
CMainStreetisn’tFMainStreet Canymore
CNooneseemstoFneedsusliketheyGdidbefore
It’sAmhardtofindaCreasonlefttoFstay
Butit’sFourGtown
FLoveit Ganyway
FComeAmwhatGmay
It’sourCtown
AlbumCars (Soundtrack)
Year2006
KeyC
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Our Town on Guitar (Step-by-step)

James Taylor - Our Town on guitar requires 4 chords and 6 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.

Our Town uses these transitions most often: F → G (12), G → C (12), and C → F (10). 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 C - G chord transition.

1. C → G chord transition

Here's how to move from C to G:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

C to G

2. C → F chord transition

Switching from C to F:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 10 times.

C to F

3. F → G chord transition

Here's how to move from F to G:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 12 times.

F to G

4. G → Am chord transition

Switching from G to Am:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 6 times.

G to Am

5. Am → F chord transition

To move from Am to F:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 2 times.

6. Am → C chord transition

To move from Am to C:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Our Town.

  • Our Town includes 64 chord transitions, 6 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Our Town contains 5 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Our Town connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → F: 16%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
    • G → Am: 13%