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Breakdown

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Capo on 5th fret
[Intro]
G   Bm   Em   D
G   Bm   Em   D
[Verse]
GI hope this old tBmrain breaks down
EmThen I could take a wDalk around
GAnd, see what there Bmis to see
EmAnd time is just a mDelody
With all the peGople in the street
Walk as fBmast as their feet can take them
EmI just roll through tDown
And though my wGindow's got a view, well
The frBmame Im looking through
Seems to Emhave no concern for nDow, so for now
[Chorus]
GI nG/F#eed this
EmOld train to brDeakdown
GOh G/F#please just
EmLet me please brDeakdown
[Instrumental]
G   Bm   Em   D
G   Bm   Em   D
[Verse]
GThis engine scBmreams out loud
EmCentipede gonna crDawl westbound
GSo I don't even mBmake a sound
EmIt's gunna sting me when I lDeave this town
All the pGeople in the street
That I'll nBmever get to meet
If these tEmracks don't bend somehDow
And GI got no town
That BmI got to get to
WEmhere I don't need to Dbe, so I
[Chorus]
GI nG/F#eed this
EmOld train to brDeakdown
GOh G/F#please just
EmLet me please brDeakdown
G
DI wanna bCreak on dGown
But I cant stop now
Let me break on down
[Instrumental]
D    C
[Verse]
But you cGant stop nothing
If you Bmgot no control
Of the thEmoughts in your mind
That you kDept in, you know
You dGon't know nothing
But you Bmdon't need to know
The wEmisdoms in the trees
Not the glDass windows
You cGant stop wishing
If you dBmon't let go
But tEmhings that you find
And you lDose, and you know
You kGeep on rolling
Put the Bmmoment on hold
The frEmames too bright
So put the blDinds down low
[Chorus]
GI nG/F#eed this
EmOld train to brDeakdown
GOh G/F#please just
EmLet me please brDeakdown
    G       Bm       Em    DI wanna break on down
    G       Bm       Em    DBut I cant stop now
[Outro]
G   Bm   Em   D
G   Bm   Em   D
G

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

This song captures a feeling of journey and introspection, having been written by Jack Johnson during a train ride between Paris and a well-known surf spot in France. It first appeared on the soundtrack for A Brokedown Melody before being included on his 2005 album, In Between Dreams. The song evokes the relaxed, surf-inspired acoustic style that Jack Johnson is known for, often reflecting his connection to the ocean and laid-back sensibility. Playing it can feel like settling into a moment of quiet reflection, watching the world pass by.

AI-written from these sources:Breakdown (Jack Johnson song) — Wikipedia ↗Jack Johnson (musician) — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Breakdown

by Jack Johnson

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

G/F#

Capo on 5th fret

[Intro]

G Bm Em D

[Verse]

G Bm

I hope this old train breaks down

Em D

Then I could take a walk around

G Bm

And, see what there is to see

Em D

And time is just a melody

With all the people in the street

Walk as fast as their feet can take them

Em D

I just roll through town

And though my window's got a view, well

The frame Im looking through

Em D

Seems to have no concern for now, so for now

[Chorus]

G G/F#

I need this

Em D

Old train to breakdown

G G/F#

Oh please just

Em D

Let me please breakdown

[Instrumental]

G Bm Em D

[Verse]

G Bm

This engine screams out loud

Em D

Centipede gonna crawl westbound

G Bm

So I don't even make a sound

Em D

It's gunna sting me when I leave this town

All the people in the street

That I'll never get to meet

Em D

If these tracks don't bend somehow

And I got no town

That I got to get to

Em D

Where I don't need to be, so I

[Chorus]

G G/F#

I need this

Em D

Old train to breakdown

G G/F#

Oh please just

Em D

Let me please breakdown

D C G

I wanna break on down

But I cant stop now

Let me break on down

[Instrumental]

D C

[Verse]

But you cant stop nothing

If you got no control

Of the thoughts in your mind

That you kept in, you know

You don't know nothing

But you don't need to know

The wisdoms in the trees

Not the glass windows

You cant stop wishing

If you don't let go

But things that you find

And you lose, and you know

You keep on rolling

Put the moment on hold

The frames too bright

So put the blinds down low

[Chorus]

G G/F#

I need this

Em D

Old train to breakdown

G G/F#

Oh please just

Em D

Let me please breakdown

G Bm Em D

I wanna break on down

G Bm Em D

But I cant stop now

[Outro]

G Bm Em D

About Breakdown Chords by Jack Johnson

Learn how to play Breakdown by Jack Johnson with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Breakdown chords”, “Breakdown guitar chords”, or “Jack Johnson Breakdown 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 Breakdown chords and for experienced players who want accurate Breakdown lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Bm, Em, D, G/F#, C.

FAQ — Breakdown by Jack Johnson

How do I play "Breakdown" by Jack Johnson on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Breakdown" by Jack 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 "Breakdown" by Jack Johnson free?

Yes. The chords for "Breakdown" by Jack Johnson are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Breakdown" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Breakdown"?

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

Is "Breakdown" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Breakdown" in?

The chords for "Breakdown" show the original chord names (including G, Bm, Em, D, G/F#, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.