Now playing

Gotta Be Me

Chords

4.814 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/50

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 50Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Gotta Be Me – Cody Johnson      Capo 5          Intro: C, G, C
     (doCwn)        (up)       (down)        (up)        strums between each riff
e|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
B|-1-----4\----|-1-----\3--|-1---------|-1---------|
G|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
D|---2---------|---2-------|---2-------|---2-------|
A|-----3-------|-----3-----|------3----|------3----|
E|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
     (doCwn)        (up)       (down)        (up)
e|-------------|-----------|-----------|------3----|
B|-1-----4\----|-1-----\3--|-1---------|-1---------|
G|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
D|---2---------|---2-------|---2-------|---2-------|
A|-----3-------|-----3-----|------3----|------3----|
E|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
     (doCwn)        (up)       (down)        (up)
e|-------------|-----------|-----------|------3----|
B|-1-----4\----|-1-----\3--|-1---------|-1---------|
G|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
D|---2---------|---2-------|---2-------|---2-------|
A|-----3-------|-----3-----|------3----|------3----|
E|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
     (doCwn)        (down)     
e|-------------|-----------|
B|-1-----4\3---|-1---------|
G|-------------|-----------|
D|---2---------|---2-------|
A|-----3-------|-----3-----|
E|-------------|-----------|
[Verse 1]
CI’m a long country mile from being in style, dirty hat and cowboy boots
CI cut my teeth on them old outlaw songs my daddy used to listen to
CGuess it’s in my genFesF#, I Ggotta be Cme
[Verse 2]
CYeah, I say what I think, sometimes I drink and when I do I drink too much
CI wind up on my back, eye shining black and I know it’s all because
CBad as it might FbeF#, hGey I gotta be Cme
[CHORUS]
CYou can Fwine me up and dine me, you can polish up and shine me
But the Creal thing is goin’ shine through
It ain’t Dalways pretF#/Dty but the Dcowboy in F#/Dme couldn’t Gchange if he wanted to
[BRIDGE: C]
[Verse 3]
CYeah, I had a girl, her name was Pearl; I think she’s up in Arkansas
CShe raised her voice and gave me a choice ‘tween singing in a honkytonk or a j.oF.b
Ha, F#as you can Gsee, I gotta be Cme
[CHORUS]
Yeah, Cyou can Fwine me up and dine me, you can polish up and shine me
But the Creal thing is goin’ shine through
It ain’t Dalways pretF#/Dty but the Dcowboy in F#/Dme couldn’t Gchange if he wanted to
[BRIDGE: C, G, C]
[Verse 4]
CHey I’m a rusty old truck you see at front ‘tween the Lexus and the Coup de Ville
CA one of a kind that some try to find, some are hoping that never will
CStill I do my thFinF#g, G‘cause I gotta be Cme
CYeah, like it or Fnot, this is F#all I Ggot
I gotta be Cme           OUTRO: C (Riff)
*I tried my best to make the tablature for the opening riff. If you have any suggestions, please let me know*

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Gotta Be Me

by Cody Johnson

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 5 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

F#/D

Gotta Be Me – Cody Johnson Capo 5 Intro: C, G, C

(down) (up) (down) (up) strums between each riff

e|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|

B|-1-----4\----|-1-----\3--|-1---------|-1---------|

G|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|

D|---2---------|---2-------|---2-------|---2-------|

A|-----3-------|-----3-----|------3----|------3----|

E|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|

(down) (up) (down) (up)

e|-------------|-----------|-----------|------3----|

B|-1-----4\----|-1-----\3--|-1---------|-1---------|

G|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|

D|---2---------|---2-------|---2-------|---2-------|

A|-----3-------|-----3-----|------3----|------3----|

E|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|

(down) (up) (down) (up)

e|-------------|-----------|-----------|------3----|

B|-1-----4\----|-1-----\3--|-1---------|-1---------|

G|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|

D|---2---------|---2-------|---2-------|---2-------|

A|-----3-------|-----3-----|------3----|------3----|

E|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|

(down) (down)

e|-------------|-----------|

B|-1-----4\3---|-1---------|

G|-------------|-----------|

D|---2---------|---2-------|

A|-----3-------|-----3-----|

E|-------------|-----------|

[Verse 1]

I’m a long country mile from being in style, dirty hat and cowboy boots

I cut my teeth on them old outlaw songs my daddy used to listen to

C F F# G C

Guess it’s in my genes, I gotta be me

[Verse 2]

Yeah, I say what I think, sometimes I drink and when I do I drink too much

I wind up on my back, eye shining black and I know it’s all because

C F F# G C

Bad as it might be, hey I gotta be me

[CHORUS]

C F

You can wine me up and dine me, you can polish up and shine me

But the real thing is goin’ shine through

D F#/D D F#/D G

It ain’t always pretty but the cowboy in me couldn’t change if he wanted to

[BRIDGE: C]

[Verse 3]

Yeah, I had a girl, her name was Pearl; I think she’s up in Arkansas

C F

She raised her voice and gave me a choice ‘tween singing in a honkytonk or a j.o.b

F# G C

Ha, as you can see, I gotta be me

[CHORUS]

C F

Yeah, you can wine me up and dine me, you can polish up and shine me

But the real thing is goin’ shine through

D F#/D D F#/D G

It ain’t always pretty but the cowboy in me couldn’t change if he wanted to

[BRIDGE: C, G, C]

[Verse 4]

Hey I’m a rusty old truck you see at front ‘tween the Lexus and the Coup de Ville

A one of a kind that some try to find, some are hoping that never will

C F F# G C

Still I do my thing, ‘cause I gotta be me

C F F# G

Yeah, like it or not, this is all I got

I gotta be me OUTRO: C (Riff)

*I tried my best to make the tablature for the opening riff. If you have any suggestions, please let me know*

About Gotta Be Me Chords by Cody Johnson

Learn how to play Gotta Be Me by Cody Johnson with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Gotta Be Me chords”, “Gotta Be Me guitar chords”, or “Cody Johnson Gotta Be Me 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 Gotta Be Me chords and for experienced players who want accurate Gotta Be Me lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, B, D, A, E.

FAQ — Gotta Be Me by Cody Johnson

How do I play "Gotta Be Me" by Cody Johnson on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Gotta Be Me" by Cody Johnson 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 "Gotta Be Me" by Cody Johnson free?

Yes. The chords for "Gotta Be Me" by Cody Johnson are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Gotta Be Me" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Gotta Be Me"?

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

Is "Gotta Be Me" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Gotta Be Me" by Cody Johnson with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Cody Johnson below.

What key is "Gotta Be Me" in?

The chords for "Gotta Be Me" show the original chord names (including C, G, B, D, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.