This is how I play this tune when singing it solo. I play it drop D / Half Step down (Drop C# tuning)
I don't think A Lewis plays it like this live but I find it easier to play the fills and bass notes when
tuned this way. I didn't include all the strums, just listen to the song for strumming pattern.
[Intro]
intro fill D9 Cadd9 Gmaj intro fill D9
e|------------0------------3-----------3----------------------0--------------|
B|------------2------------3-----------3----------------------2--------------|
G|------------3------------0-----------0----------------------3--------------|
D|-3-0--------0------------2-----------0--------3-0-----------0--------------|
A|-----3------0------------3-----------2------------3---------0--------------|
E|------3br-0-0------------0-----------x--------------3br-0-0-0--------------|
[Verse]
Chords
G********* D9**** G******** D9**** Cadd9**** Gmaj**** ****
e|-x----------0------x---------0-------3---------3-------------------0-------|
B|-3----------3------3---------3-------3---------3-------------------3-------|
G|-0----------2------0---------2-------0---------0-------------------2-----*-|
D|-0----------0------0---------0-------2---------0------3-0----------0-----*-|
A|-x----------0------x---------0-------3---------2----------3--------0-------|
E|-5----------0------5---------0------------------------------3br-0--0-------|
[Bridge]
Chords
G********* D9********** Cadd9** Gmaj**
e|-x----------0---------------3------3-------------------0-----------|
B|-3----------3---------------3------3-------------------3-----------|
G|-0----------2---------------0------0-------------------2-----------|
D|-0----------0---------------2------0------3-0----------0-----------|
A|-x----------0---------------3------2----------3--------0-----------|
E|-5----------0---------------0------------------3b-0----0-----------|
[Verse 1]
G D9
There's a thousand miles and eighteen hours I've got a double drive down southbound 35
G Dm
Got the hammer down, Detroit made 525 pushing my ass right down that line
Cadd9 Gmaj intro fill D9
And that smell of burning diesel fuel just tells me that I'm back out on the road
G
I've got a full-grown creeping up on my tail and I won't make bail in this small town jail
D9
no not round here
G D9
I've got the bird dog on, radio cranked, gear jamming, lane changing son of a bitch you betcha son
Cadd9 Gmaj intro fill D9
And that smell of burning diesel fuel just tells me that I'm back out on the road
[Bridge]
G********* D9********** Cadd9** Gmaj**
e|-x----------0---------------3------3-------------------0-----------|
B|-3----------3---------------3------3-------------------3-----------|
G|-0----------2---------------0------0-------------------2-----------|
D|-0----------0---------------2------0------3-0----------0-----------|
A|-x----------0---------------3------2----------3--------0-----------|
E|-5----------0---------------0------------------3b-0----0-----------|
[Verse 2]
G D9
Just left the jail with a handful of pills and I won't quit until I hit the crew up in Abiline
G D9
I'm almost there, there's just a few more miles, I'll make the drop, I'll turn and burn I'm outta here
Cadd9 Gmaj intro fill D9
And that smell of burning diesel fuel just tells me that I'm back out on the road
Cadd9 Gmaj intro fil D9
And that smell of burning diesel fuel just tells me that I'm back out on the road
In the verse I throw this in while playing the D9 chord. You can hear this in the song
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|---3-0---------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------3-0-----------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
You can also play a power chord G instead of the one I have listed here. I just like the open G sound
e|------------x-----------------------------------------------------------|
B|------------3-----------------------------------------------------------|
G|---7--------0-----------------------------------------------------------|
D|---5---vs---0-----------------------------------------------------------|
A|---5--------x-----------------------------------------------------------|
E|---5--------5-----------------------------------------------------------|
It's not perfect and there are a lot more fills but this gets you close enough to sing it solo
************************************
| x Dead note
| br Bend release
| b Bend
************************************The Road chords and lyrics
Free chords for The Road by Aaron Lewis. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.
This is how I play this tune when singing it solo. I play it drop D / Half Step down (Drop C# tuning) I don't think A Lewis plays it like this live but I find it easier to play the fills and bass notes when tuned this way. I didn't include all the strums, just listen to the song for strumming pattern. [Verse 1] [Verse 2] You can also play a power chord G instead of the one I have listed here. I just like the open G sound It's not perfect and there are a lot more fills but this gets you close enough to sing it solo ************************************ | x Dead note | br Bend release | b Bend ************************************
The Road Chords by Aaron Lewis
Learn how to play The Road by Aaron Lewis with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Road chords”, “The Road guitar chords”, or “Aaron Lewis The Road 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 The Road chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Road lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, C, A, D9, Cadd9, Gmaj.
Frequently asked questions about The Road
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What key is "The Road" in?
The chords for "The Road" show the original chord names (including D, C, A, D9, Cadd9, Gmaj). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.