Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Survive

Chords

4.812 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/26

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 26Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Survive
Words and Music by Jimmy Buffett and Michael Utley
Note: Harmonica melody tabbed in the Intro and Bridge
[Intro]
e|--C---0-----------|--Fmaj70---------------|--C7----------------|--Fmaj7-----------------|
B|-----------------|-----1----1-------|------------------|-------------------|
G|-----------------|------------------|--3---------------|--2----------------|
D|-----------------|------------------|------------------|-------------------|
A|-----------------|------------------|------------------|-------------------|
E|-----------------|------------------|------------------|-------------------|
[Verse 1]
  CI plaC7y   the Fmaj7stereo loud
 EWhen I'm aE7way from the Ammaddening crowCd
D7Smokin', jokin', C/Gclowns Gwe Amall G/Bare
  CSometimesC7, I kinda Fmaj7get real ill
 Ewhen I reE7ceive my monthly Amtelephone bilGl
But you D7say it, and I'll pay it,
'cause it C/Gjust Ghelps Amme G/Bto
[Chorus]
  CSurviDmve, (C/ESurviFve) stay aliDmve,
  GTill I Amsee you G/Ba - CgainG/B  
  AmSurvive,    Fstay aliDmve
  Gcan't Amsay where G/Bit  Cends
[Verse 2]
  CClouds liftC7, and there are Fmaj7mountains below
  EBeen a whiE7le since I've Amseen any snoGw
D7Chillin', so thrillin', so C/Ggood Gto Ambe G/Bback
  CFeels niceC7,   to be Fmaj7home for a while
 ELet's sip chamE7pagne till we breaAmk into smiGles
We'll go D7dancin', romancin', 'cause C/Gyou're Gthe Amrea - G/Bson
[Chorus]
CI SurviveDmd,  (C/ESurvivFed) stay aliDmve
  GThrough the Amthick and G/Bthe CthinG/B  
  AmSurvive,    Fstay aliDmve
  GWhere Amwill it G/Ball Cend.
[Bridge]
e|--Em7-----------------|--Am-----------|--Em7-----------------|--Am-------------------|
B|-----0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|--0-1--1-----|-----0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|--0-1--1-------------|
G|-------------------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------|
D|-------------------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------|
A|-------------------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------|
E|-------------------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------|
But my Fbags ain't unC/Epacked,
cause I've goDmt to go bacC/Ek and C/Gplay,G  
But C/GI   Gknow Amwe'll G/Bboth...
[Chorus]
  CSurviDmve, (C/ESurviFve) stay aliDmve,
  GThrough the Amthick and G/Bthe CthinG/B  
  AmSurvive,    Fstay aliDmve
   GUnAmtil it G/Ball Cends.   Oh we'll
  CSurviDmve, (C/ESurviFve) stay aliDmve,
   GWhen Amwill it G/Ball Cend.G/B  
  AmSurvive,    Fstay aliDmve
   GUnAmtil I see G/Byou Cagain.
[Outro]
C      Dm  C/E  F   Dm
G      Am  G/B  C     G/B
Am              F    Dm
G      Am  G/B  C
C      Dm  C/E  F   Dm
G      Am  G/B  C     G/B
Am              F    Dm
G      Am  G/B  C

All chords in this song (14)

The story behind the song

Jimmy Buffett was known for his tropical music sound, blending country, rock, folk, and calypso, often portraying a lifestyle of "island escapism" and promoting enjoyment of life and following passions. While the song "Survive" isn't among his most famous, it likely carries the spirit of resilience and enduring through challenges, fitting within his broader message. Playing it, you can channel the feeling of finding strength and continuing on, even when facing rough seas.

AI-written from these sources:Jimmy Buffett — Wikipedia ↗

🎸 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

Survive

by Jimmy Buffett

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Fmaj7

C/G

G/B

C/E

Em7

Survive

Words and Music by Jimmy Buffett and Michael Utley

Note: Harmonica melody tabbed in the Intro and Bridge

[Intro]

C Fmaj7 C7 Fmaj7

e|-----0-----------|--0---------------|------------------|-------------------|

B|-----------------|-----1----1-------|------------------|-------------------|

G|-----------------|------------------|--3---------------|--2----------------|

D|-----------------|------------------|------------------|-------------------|

A|-----------------|------------------|------------------|-------------------|

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

[Verse 1]

C C7 Fmaj7

I play the stereo loud

E E7 Am C

When I'm away from the maddening crowd

D7 C/G G Am G/B

Smokin', jokin', clowns we all are

C C7 Fmaj7

Sometimes, I kinda get real ill

E E7 Am G

when I receive my monthly telephone bill

But you say it, and I'll pay it,

C/G G Am G/B

'cause it just helps me to

[Chorus]

C Dm C/E F Dm

Survive, (Survive) stay alive,

G Am G/B C G/B

Till I see you a - gain

Am F Dm

Survive, stay alive

G Am G/B C

can't say where it ends

[Verse 2]

C C7 Fmaj7

Clouds lift, and there are mountains below

E E7 Am G

Been a while since I've seen any snow

D7 C/G G Am G/B

Chillin', so thrillin', so good to be back

C C7 Fmaj7

Feels nice, to be home for a while

E E7 Am G

Let's sip champagne till we break into smiles

D7 C/G G Am G/B

We'll go dancin', romancin', 'cause you're the rea - son

[Chorus]

C Dm C/E F Dm

I Survived, (Survived) stay alive

G Am G/B C G/B

Through the thick and the thin

Am F Dm

Survive, stay alive

G Am G/B C

Where will it all end.

[Bridge]

Em7 Am Em7 Am

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

B|-----0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|--0-1--1-----|-----0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|--0-1--1-------------|

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

D|-------------------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------|

A|-------------------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------|

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

F C/E

But my bags ain't unpacked,

Dm C/E C/G G

cause I've got to go back and play,

C/G G Am G/B

But I know we'll both...

[Chorus]

C Dm C/E F Dm

Survive, (Survive) stay alive,

G Am G/B C G/B

Through the thick and the thin

Am F Dm

Survive, stay alive

G Am G/B C

Until it all ends. Oh we'll

C Dm C/E F Dm

Survive, (Survive) stay alive,

G Am G/B C G/B

When will it all end.

Am F Dm

Survive, stay alive

G Am G/B C

Until I see you again.

[Outro]

C Dm C/E F Dm

G Am G/B C G/B

Am F Dm

G Am G/B C

C Dm C/E F Dm

G Am G/B C G/B

Am F Dm

G Am G/B C

About Survive Chords by Jimmy Buffett

Learn how to play Survive by Jimmy Buffett with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Survive chords”, “Survive guitar chords”, or “Jimmy Buffett Survive 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 Survive chords and for experienced players who want accurate Survive lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Fmaj7, C7, B, G, D.

FAQ — Survive by Jimmy Buffett

How do I play "Survive" by Jimmy Buffett on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Survive" by Jimmy Buffett 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 "Survive" by Jimmy Buffett free?

Yes. The chords for "Survive" by Jimmy Buffett are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Survive" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Survive"?

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

Is "Survive" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Survive" in?

The chords for "Survive" show the original chord names (including C, Fmaj7, C7, B, G, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.