Mark Knopfler & Chet Atkins - Poor Boy Blues Chords

ChordsA7, E, G, D

Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

A7EGA7D

DDoIwantyou,yesIdo

DoIneedyoubaby,youknowit’strue

GButIain’tgotnothin’,thatA7youcanDuse

SoI’mA7sittin’onmyownhere,GwiththeseA7poorboyDblues

DOneday,baby,youwillsee

You’regonnagiveallyourlovetome

GI’mtheone,babe,thatyou’reA7gonnaDchoose

A7Butinthemeantime,GIgottheseA7poorboyDblues

A7EGA7D

DGA7DA7EGA7D

DThingswon’talways,bethesame

Somedaysoon,everythingwillchange

GYou’lltellyourmama,herbaby’sA7gotgoodDnews

A7Butuntilthen,well,GIgottheseA7poorboyDblues

A7EGA7D

ArtistMark Knopfler & Chet Atkins

AlbumSingle

GenresCountry

Year1990

KeyF#

DifficultyEasy

How to play Poor Boy Blues on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Mark Knopfler & Chet Atkins - Poor Boy Blues on guitar requires 4 chords and 5 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.

Poor Boy Blues uses these transitions most often: A7 → D (12), G → A7 (12), and D → A7 (7). 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 A7 - E chord transition.

1. A7 → E chord transition

Switching from A7 to E:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

2. E → G chord transition

Here's how to move from E to G:

Lift your index finger from G 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 D string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

3. 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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 12 times.

4. 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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 12 times.

Poor Boy Blues chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Poor Boy Blues.

Poor Boy Blues includes 47 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
Poor Boy Blues contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
These transition patterns show how Poor Boy Blues connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
After A7, the most likely next chords across Chordier are D (41%), D7 (18%), and Dm (13%).
- A7 → D: 41%
- A7 → G: 4%
After D, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (29%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
- D → G: 29%
- D → A7: 1%

1. A7 → E chord transition

2. E → G chord transition

3. G → A7 chord transition

4. A7 → D chord transition

5. D → G chord transition