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Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel Chords

ChordsG, D, Em, C
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

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

GDEmCGDC
GHeadingdownsouthtotheDlandofthepines
EmI’mthumbingmywayintoCNorthCaroline
GStaringuptheroadandDpraytoGodIseeCheadlights
GImadeitdownthecoastinDseventeenhours
EmPickingmeabouquetofCdogwoodflowers
AndI’maGhopingforRaleigh,IcanDseemybaby Ctonight
SoGrockmemommalikeaDwagonwheel
EmRockmemommaanyCwayyoufeel
GHey,DmommaCrockme
GRockmemommaliketheDwindandtherain
EmRockmemommalikeaCsouthboundtrain
GHey,DmommaCrockme
GDEmCGDC
GRunningfromthecoldDupinNewEngland
IwasEmborntobeafiddlerinanColdtimestringband
MyGbabyplaysaguitar,DIpickabanjoCnow
Oh,GnorthcountrywinterskeepaDgettingmedown
IlostmyEmmoneyplayingpokersoIChadtoleavetown
ButIGain’tturningbacktoDlivingthatoldlifeCnomore
SoGrockmemommalikeaDwagonwheel
EmRockmemommaanyCwayyoufeel
GHey,DmommaCrockme
GRockmemommaliketheDwindandtherain
EmRockmemommalikeaCsouthboundtrain
GHey,DmommaCrockme
GDEmCGDC
GWalkingtothesouthDoutofRoanoke
IcaughtaEmtruckeroutofPhillyhadaCnicelongtoke
ButGhe’saheadingwestfromtheDCumberlandgap
ToGJohnsonCity,Tennessee
AndIGgottagetamoveonDbeforethesun
IhearmyEmbabycallingmynameandICknowthatshe’stheonlyone
AndGifIdiedinRaleighatDleastIwilldieCfree
SoGrockmemommalikeaDwagonwheel
EmRockmemommaanyCwayyoufeel
GHey,DmommaCrockme
GRockmemommaliketheDwindandtherain
EmRockmemommalikeaCsouthboundtrain
GHey,DmommaCrockme
SoGrockmemommalikeaDwagonwheel
EmRockmemommaanyCwayyoufeel
GHey,DmommaCrockme
GRockmemommaliketheDwindandtherain
EmRockmemommalikeaCsouthboundtrain
GHey,DmommaCrockme
GDEmCGDC
AlbumTrue Believers
GenresCountry
Year2013
KeyG
DifficultyEasy

How to play Wagon Wheel on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel 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.

Wagon Wheel uses these transitions most often: G → D (36), C → G (34), and D → Em (18). 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 G - D chord transition.

1. G → D chord transition

To move from G to D:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 36 times.

G to D

2. D → Em chord transition

Switching from D to Em:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 18 times.

D to Em

3. Em → C chord transition

To move from Em to C:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 18 times.

Em to C

4. 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 34 times.

C to G

5. D → C chord transition

Here's how to move from D to C:

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

This transition appears in the verse, played 17 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Wagon Wheel.

  • Wagon Wheel includes 124 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Wagon Wheel contains 5 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Wagon Wheel connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → D: 24%
    After D, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (29%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
    • D → G: 29%
    • D → Em: 17%