Basic Guitar Chord Progression G-C-D

Of all the basic guitar chord progressions, I didn't think it would be difficult to find songs for the G-C-D progression, but it was NOT easy! Maybe I just didn't "cast the net" far enough out.

It seems the G-D-C progression is a lot more popular with writers and performers. Anyway, not to worry – I dug up some classics.

This is a pretty basic guitar chord change-up. It's a bit easier with the bar chords instead of playing the open chords, but with some tunes you'll get a better rendition of the song with the open chords.

G MajorC MajorD Major

"You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC

The barre chords work well for an easy version of this classic by AC/DC. Off the Back In Black album from 1980, we have "You Shook Me All Night Long". The tabs show how to play the intro, and as you get to the verses of the song, playing the G-C-D progression. "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC

"Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" by The Beatles

Another example of the G-C-D progression is the chorus in "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" by The Beatles. This is a pretty complex song, so for now, let's just recognize that our chords are used in the chorus.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney recorded this in 1967 for the "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" album. The G-C-D chord progression is used for the chorus. If you want to give it a shot, here are some good tabs: "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" by The Beatles

"You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" by The Beatles

Here's a hit song by Lennon/McCartney recorded in 1965 from the "Help!" album. The G-C-D progression is used for the chorus roughly with Dsus included in the mix. Of course you'll recognize the G-D-C progression from the last lesson we studied – The Beatles start this song with the G-D-C progression then swap the D and C chords for the chorus. Let's take a look at the tabs for "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" by The Beatles.

That should be a good start for basic guitar chord progressions.