INTRO: D/G/A/Bm/D/G/A/G/D
DG I never was a straight lace, straight-A student
AD Teacher's pet or child prodigy
G I wasn't gonna get rich throwin' a football
AGD It'd take too long to get a law degree
G So I sat down with mama and daddy
AEm They tried to talk some sense into my big head
DGAGD But the best advice that I ever got was from my sister's rock star boyfriend
 CHORUS: 
AGD Just get your guitar and learn how to play
AGD Cut up some jeans, come up with a name
AGBmG When you're living in a world that you don't understand
DA Find a few good buddies
DA DD/G/A/Bm/D/G/A/G/D Start a band, start a band, start a band
 
DG And all those girls that were too cool to talk to
ABm They'll be waitin' in the line out back
DG Might get your picture in your hometown paper
AGD Maybe buy your mama that Cadillac
 CHORUS: 
DAGD Just get your guitar and learn how to play
AGD Cut up some jeans, come up with a name
AGBmG When you're livin' in a world that you don't understand
D Find a few good buddies
ADG Start a band, start a band scrape up some money
ADGA Buy a van, learn free bird and ramblin' man
BmGA/D/G/A/Bm/D/G/A/Bm/D/G/D/Bm/G/D/A/G/Bm/A Never buy another beer again
 QUIETER: 
AGD Just get your guitar and learn how to play
AGD Grow out your hair, come up with a name
AGBmDD(draw the D out until With a little bit of luck you'll be packin' the stands it stops)
 LOUD AGAIN: 
AD Find a few good buddies, start a band
AD No need to study, start a band
GAD Call up some buddies, man, start a band
 
OUTRO: D/G/A/Bm/D/G/AG-D (REPEAT 'TIL END)