jack and diane
solo acoustic chord progression
written & originally performed by : john mellencamp ( formerly john cougar mellencamp )
transcribed by ear by : eric norcross ( new york city )

note : this is one of the greatest american rock songs ever composed . so many
people dont play it the way they should . this transcription is designed to be
performed with one acoustic guitar and a vocalist if you have a voice you can
sing so dont be shy my young ones! feel free to improvise as well , you dont
have to play it exactly like john boy , play whats most comfortable and sounds
great!

chords used :

E A D Esusadd9 D * Asus
E – – – – – – – – – 0 – – – | – – – 0 – – – | – – – 2 – – – | – – – 0 – – – – – – – – – – | – – – 0 – – – | – – – – 0 – – – – – – – – – – – |
B – – – – – – – – – 0 – – – | – – – 2 – – – | – – – 3 – – – | – – – 0 – – – – – – – – – – | – – – 3 – – – | – – – – 3 – – – – – – – – – – – |
G – – – – – – – – – 1 – – – | – – – 2 – – – | – – – 2 – – – | – – – 1 – – – – – – – – – – | – – – 2 – – – | – – – – 2 – – – – – – – – – – – |
D – – – – – – – – – 2 – – – | – – – 2 – – – | – – – 0 – – – | – – – 2 – – – – – – – – – – | – – – 4 – – – | – – – – 2 – – – – – – – – – – – |
A – – – – – – – – – 2 – – – | – – – 0 – – – | – – – 0 – – – | – – – 0 – – – – – – – – – – | – – – 0 – – – | – – – – 0 – – – – – – – – – – – |
E – – – – – – – – – 0 – – – | – – – 0 – – – | – – – 0 – – – | – – – 0 – – – – – – – – – – | – – – 0 – – – | – – – – 0 – – – – – – – – – – – |

capo on 2

intro : A E A E D ( quick fast strum on the high strings to match the twang ) repeat
as many times as comfortable .

intro version 2 : A Asus A E D E A Asus A E D E ( strum is exactly like the first
interlude , this particular intro is better for acoustic than the original , as the
original is designed for an overdriven electric guitar ) .

verse 1 :
A E ( susadd9 ) D * E ( susadd9 )
a little ditty bout jack and diane
A E ( susadd9 ) D * E ( susadd9 )
two american kids grown up in the heartland
A E ( susadd9 ) D * E ( susadd9 )
jack , he’s gonna be a football star
A E ( susadd9 ) D * E ( susadd9 )
diane debutante , back seat of jacky’s car

interlude : A Asus A E D E A Asus A E D E

verse 2 :
A E ( susadd9 ) D * E ( susadd9 )
suckin’ on chili dog outside the tasty freeze
A E ( susadd9 ) D * E ( susadd9 )
diane sittin’ on jacky’s lap , he got his hands between her knees
A E ( susadd9 ) D * E ( susadd9 )
jacky says “hey diane , lets run off behind a shady tree”
A E ( susadd9 ) D * E ( susadd9 )
dribble off bobby brooks , let me do what i please , sayin’

chorus :
A E D E
ooh yeah , life goes on
A E D E
long after the thrill of livin’ is gone , sayin’
A E D E
ooh yeah , life goes on
A E D E
long after the thrill of livin’ is gone

verse 3 :

jack , he sits back , collects his thoughts for a moment

scratches his head and does his best james dean

“well there diane , we gotta run off to the city”

diane says , “baby we ain’t nothing” , but jacky says

chorus :

ooh yeah , life goes on

long after the thrill of livin’ is gone , sayin’

ooh yeah , life goes on

long after the thrill of livin’ is gone , rock on

play intro

drum solo ( on acoustic , just use the body of the guitar )

oh , let it rock , let it roll .
let the bible belt come and save my soul
holdin’ on to sixteen as long as you can
change is comin’ ’round real soon , make us women and men

interlude : A Asus A E D E A Asus A E D E

chorus ( slower , which light strumming ) :

ooh yeah , life goes on

long after the thrill of livin’ is gone , sayin’

ooh yeah , life goes on

long after the thrill of livin’ is gone , rock on

play intro

change up :
A E ( susadd9 ) D * E ( susadd9 )
a little ditty bout jack and diane
A E ( susadd9 ) D * E
two american kids done the best they can

intro until you decide to finish the damn song!

end