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Footlights

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Footlights
Written and recorded by Merle Haggard
Tuning: Standard 440
Difficulty: easy
Beginner
[Verse 1]
GI live the kinda life  Cmost men only Gdream of
I make my livin' writin' D7songs  and singin' Gthem
But I'm forty-one years old and I ain't Cgot no place to go when it's Gover
But I'll hide my age and make the stage 
And D7try to kick the footlights out Gagain
[Verse 2] 
I throw my old guitar across the Cstage and then my bass-man takes the Gball
And the crowd goes nearly D7wild to see my guitar nearly Gfall
After twenty years of pickin' we're Cstill alive and kickin' down the Gwall
Tonight I'll kick the footlights out and D7walk away without a curtain Gcall
[Chorus]
ToCnight I'll kick the footlights out again
And try to hide the mood I'm really Gin
And put on my old instamatic D7grin
Tonight I'll kick the footlights out Gagain
[Verse 3]
GI live the kinda life  Cmost men only Gdream of
I make my livin' writin' D7songs  and singin' Gthem
But I'm forty-one years old and I ain't Cgot no place to go when it's Gover
But I'll hide my age and make the stage 
And D7try to kick the footlights out Gagain 

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

Merle Haggard was a central pioneer of the Bakersfield sound, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in country music, with a career spanning over five decades. He gained popularity with songs that often explored themes of the working class. "Footlights" appeared on the album "Serving 190 Proof." It plays like a reflection on the life and experiences of a performer.

AI-written from these sources:Merle Haggard — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Footlights

by Merle Haggard

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Footlights

Written and recorded by Merle Haggard

Tuning: Standard 440

Difficulty: easy

Beginner

[Verse 1]

G C G

I live the kinda life most men only dream of

D7 G

I make my livin' writin' songs and singin' them

C G

But I'm forty-one years old and I ain't got no place to go when it's over

But I'll hide my age and make the stage

D7 G

And try to kick the footlights out again

[Verse 2]

C G

I throw my old guitar across the stage and then my bass-man takes the ball

D7 G

And the crowd goes nearly wild to see my guitar nearly fall

C G

After twenty years of pickin' we're still alive and kickin' down the wall

D7 G

Tonight I'll kick the footlights out and walk away without a curtain call

[Chorus]

Tonight I'll kick the footlights out again

And try to hide the mood I'm really in

And put on my old instamatic grin

Tonight I'll kick the footlights out again

[Verse 3]

G C G

I live the kinda life most men only dream of

D7 G

I make my livin' writin' songs and singin' them

C G

But I'm forty-one years old and I ain't got no place to go when it's over

But I'll hide my age and make the stage

D7 G

And try to kick the footlights out again

About Footlights Chords by Merle Haggard

Learn how to play Footlights by Merle Haggard with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Footlights chords”, “Footlights guitar chords”, or “Merle Haggard Footlights chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Footlights chords and for experienced players who want accurate Footlights lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D7.

FAQ — Footlights by Merle Haggard

How do I play "Footlights" by Merle Haggard on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Footlights" by Merle Haggard on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Footlights" by Merle Haggard free?

Yes. The chords for "Footlights" by Merle Haggard are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Footlights" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Footlights" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Footlights"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Footlights" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Footlights" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Footlights" by Merle Haggard with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Merle Haggard below.

What key is "Footlights" in?

The chords for "Footlights" show the original chord names (including G, C, D7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.