Now playing

Gangstas Paradise

Chords

5.0133 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Bminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Gangsta's Paradise                             - Coolio
[Intro]
  G    Em    F#    Bm(2x)
[Verse 1]
As I Gwalk through the valley of the Emshadow of death
I take a F#look at my life and reaBmlize there's nothin' left
Cause GI've been blasting and Emlaughing so long,
That F#even my mama thinks that my Bmmind is gone
But I ain't Gnever crossed a man that Emdidn't deserve it
Me be F#treated like a punk you know Bmthat's unheard of
You Gbetter watch how you're talking and Emwhere you're walking
Or F#you and your homies might be Bmlined in chalk
I Greally hate to trip but I Emgotta loc
As they F#croak, I see myself in the Bmpistol smoke, fool
GI'm the kinda G the little Emhomies wanna be like
On my F#knees in the night saying Bmprayers in the streetlight
[Chorus]
 GBeen spending Emmost their lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
 GBeen spending Emmost their lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
 GKeep spending Emmost our lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
 GKeep spending Emmost our lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
[Verse 2]
Look Gat the situation they Emgot me facin'
I can't F#live a normal life, I was Bmraised by the streets
So I Ggotta be down with the Emhood team
Too much F#television watching got me Bmchasing dreams
I'm an Geducated fool with Emmoney on my mind
Got my F#ten in my hand and a Bmgleam in my eye
I'm a Gloc'd out gangsta Emset trippin' banger
And my F#homies is down so don't aBmrouse my anger, fool
GDeath ain't nothing but a Emheartbeat away,
I'm living F#life, do or die, Bmwhat can I say
I'm Gtwenty three now, but will I Emlive to see twenty four
The F#way things are going I don't Bmknow
[Bridge]
Tell me Gwhy are Emwe so F#blind to Bmsee
That the Gones we Emhurt are F#you and Bmme
[Chorus]
 GBeen spending Emmost their lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
 GBeen spending Emmost their lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
 GKeep spending Emmost our lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
 GKeep spending Emmost our lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
[Verse 3]
GPower and the money, Emmoney and the power
F#Minute after minute, Bmhour after hour
GEverybody's running, but Emhalf of them ain't looking
What's going F#on in the kitchen, but BmI don't know what's cookin'
They Gsay I gotta learn, but noEmbody's here to teach me
If F#they can't understand it, Bmhow can they reach me
I Gguess they can't, I Emguess they won't
I guess they F#front, that's why I know my Bmlife is out of luck, fool
[Chorus]
 GBeen spending Emmost their lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
 GBeen spending Emmost their lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
 GKeep spending Emmost our lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
 GKeep spending Emmost our lives, living F#in the gangsta's Bmparadise
[Bridge]
Tell me Gwhy are Emwe so F#blind to Bmsee
That the Gones we Emhurt are F#you and Bmme
Tell me Gwhy are Emwe so F#blind to Bmsee
That the Gones we Emhurt are F#you and Bmme
[Outro]
  G    Em    F#    Bm(2x)

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Gangsta's Paradise" paints a vivid picture of life in a harsh reality, where the shadow of death looms large and survival is a daily struggle. The lyrics convey a sense of being trapped, an "educated fool with money on my mind," navigating a world where one's luck feels perpetually out. This powerful song, featuring L.V., became the lead single for both the Dangerous Minds film soundtrack and Coolio's album of the same name in 1995. Its core feeling is one of defiant resilience in the face of relentless adversity.

AI-written from these sources:Gangsta's Paradise — Wikipedia ↗Coolio — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Gangstas Paradise

Gangstas Paradise

🎸 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

Gangstas Paradise

by Coolio

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio

[Intro]

G Em F# Bm

(2x)

[Verse 1]

G Em

As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

F# Bm

I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left

G Em

Cause I've been blasting and laughing so long,

F# Bm

That even my mama thinks that my mind is gone

G Em

But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it

F# Bm

Me be treated like a punk you know that's unheard of

G Em

You better watch how you're talking and where you're walking

F# Bm

Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk

G Em

I really hate to trip but I gotta loc

F# Bm

As they croak, I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool

G Em

I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like

F# Bm

On my knees in the night saying prayers in the streetlight

[Chorus]

G Em F# Bm

Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

G Em F# Bm

Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

G Em F# Bm

Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

G Em F# Bm

Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

[Verse 2]

G Em

Look at the situation they got me facin'

F# Bm

I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the streets

G Em

So I gotta be down with the hood team

F# Bm

Too much television watching got me chasing dreams

G Em

I'm an educated fool with money on my mind

F# Bm

Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye

G Em

I'm a loc'd out gangsta set trippin' banger

F# Bm

And my homies is down so don't arouse my anger, fool

G Em

Death ain't nothing but a heartbeat away,

F# Bm

I'm living life, do or die, what can I say

G Em

I'm twenty three now, but will I live to see twenty four

F# Bm

The way things are going I don't know

[Bridge]

G Em F# Bm

Tell me why are we so blind to see

G Em F# Bm

That the ones we hurt are you and me

[Chorus]

G Em F# Bm

Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

G Em F# Bm

Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

G Em F# Bm

Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

G Em F# Bm

Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

[Verse 3]

G Em

Power and the money, money and the power

F# Bm

Minute after minute, hour after hour

G Em

Everybody's running, but half of them ain't looking

F# Bm

What's going on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cookin'

G Em

They say I gotta learn, but nobody's here to teach me

F# Bm

If they can't understand it, how can they reach me

G Em

I guess they can't, I guess they won't

F# Bm

I guess they front, that's why I know my life is out of luck, fool

[Chorus]

G Em F# Bm

Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

G Em F# Bm

Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

G Em F# Bm

Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

G Em F# Bm

Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta's paradise

[Bridge]

G Em F# Bm

Tell me why are we so blind to see

G Em F# Bm

That the ones we hurt are you and me

G Em F# Bm

Tell me why are we so blind to see

G Em F# Bm

That the ones we hurt are you and me

[Outro]

G Em F# Bm

(2x)

About Gangstas Paradise Chords by Coolio

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

FAQ — Gangstas Paradise by Coolio

How do I play "Gangstas Paradise" by Coolio on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Gangstas Paradise" by Coolio 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 "Gangstas Paradise" by Coolio free?

Yes. The chords for "Gangstas Paradise" by Coolio are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Gangstas Paradise" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Gangstas Paradise"?

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

Is "Gangstas Paradise" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Gangstas Paradise" in?

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