GuitarTuna Pick
GuitarTuna

Get the full experience in app

Open

Prime Time chords by
Don Mclean
Don Mclean
Logo

N/A•2 views•
Key: A major•
Verse 1
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime time
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' in the U. S. A.
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime Time
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' the American way
Verse 2
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

I was ridin' on the subway in the afternoon
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

I saw some kids 'a beatin'
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

out a funky tune

The lady right in front of me
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

was old and brown
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

The kids began to push her,
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

they knocked her down
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

I tried to help her out but
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

there was just no way
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

A life ain't worth a damn
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

on the street today
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

I passed the ambulance
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

and the camera crews
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

I saw the instant replay on
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

the evening news
Verse 3
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime time
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' in the U. S. A.
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime Time
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' the American way
Verse 4
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well will you take the car,
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

or will you take the trip?
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Remove annoying hair from
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

your upper lip

What's it really worth?
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Does she really care?
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

What's the best shampoo
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

that I can use on my hair?
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Hey what's the real future of
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Cm
Cm
3

View detailed Cm chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

democracy?
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

How're we gonna streamline
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

the bureaucracy?
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Hey, hey, the cost of life
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

has gone sky-high
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Does Does the deodorant I'm
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

using really keep me dry?
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Well this is
Verse 5
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

life, this is Prime time
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' in the U. S. A.
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime Time
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' the American way
Verse 6
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well spin the magic wheel and

try to break the bank
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Think about your life when
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

you fill in the blank

Here's a game that's
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

real if you wanna try
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

One spot on the wheel that
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

says you must die
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

American roulette is the game we play
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

But no-one wants wants to
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

have to be the one to pay
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

You get to pass "GO",
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

you get to pass away
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

But before we start our show,
Cm
Cm
3

View detailed Cm chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

here's our sponsor to say:
Verse 7
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

"Well this is life, this is Prime time
Ab
Ab
4

View detailed Ab chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Cm
Cm
3

View detailed Cm chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Cm
Cm
3

View detailed Cm chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Eb
Eb
6

View detailed Eb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime time
Cm
Cm
3

View detailed Cm chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' in the U. S. A.
Cm
Cm
3

View detailed Cm chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime Time
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' the American way"
Verse 8
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well down in Mexico,
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

the laundry's on the line
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

There's where you can go if
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

you land on the nine
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Canada is nice if you're fond of ice
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Cm
Cm
3

View detailed Cm chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

If you land on the two then
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

we'll send you there twice
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

We interrupt this game for a news release:
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

A man has gone insane and
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

been killed by police!
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Now back to the game,
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

that's a dangerous play
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

'Cause if they see you in C-U-B-A
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

you you you you must pass away
Verse 9
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime time
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' in the U. S. A.
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime Time
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' the American way
Verse 10
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

My supper's on the stove,
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

the war is on the screen
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Pass the bread and butter

while I watch the Marine
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

The shot him in the chest--Pass
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

the the chicken breast!
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

The general is saying that

he's still unimpressed.
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

"We had to burn the city
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

'cause they wouldn't agree
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

That things go better with democracy!"
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

The weather will be fair,
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

forget the ozone layer,
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

But strontium showers will
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

be here and there
Verse 11
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime time
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' in the U. S. A.
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime Time
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' the American way
Verse 12
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well livin' in the country
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

watchin' shadows fall
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

My reception ain't too good
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

in a power stall
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Bombers in the air, missiles in the sea
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Chemicals in everything, including me
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

They don't keep their promise
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

in the promised land
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

It's getting mighty hard
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

to find an honest man
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

But coming very soon,
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

a show you'll die to see
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

It's called "The End Of The World",
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

on channel "C"
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Well this is
Verse 13
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

life, this is Prime time
Ab
Ab
4

View detailed Ab chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' in the U. S. A.
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Cm
Cm
3

View detailed Cm chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Eb
Eb
6

View detailed Eb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime time
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' in the U. S. A.
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
Bb
Bb

View detailed Bb chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

Well this is life, this is Prime Time
G
G

View detailed G chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
C
C

View detailed C chord diagram in our app.

Open in app
F
F

View detailed F chord diagram in our app.

Open in app

This is livin' the American way

How did you like the song?

You need to log in to leave a rating.
An acoustic guitar head with tuning pegs

Tuning:Standard Open Tuner
Chords

  • F

  • G

  • Bb

  • C

  • Cm

    3

  • Ab

    4

  • Eb

    6

Capo: 2

Transpose: 0

0

Autoscroll20%

More songs by Don McLean

Discover chords for more songs to play

Don McLean

American Pie

Don McLean

Vincent

Don McLean

Winterwood

Don McLean

I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome (Blue and Lonesome Too) [Previously Unreleased Track]

Don McLean

Dreidel [Live]

Don McLean

And I Love You So

Don McLean

Castles In The Air

See More

Related songs

Discover chords for more songs to play

Don McLean

American Pie

Don McLean

Ed Sheeran

Perfect

Ed Sheeran

The Animals

The House Of The Rising Sun

The Animals

Coldplay

Yellow

Coldplay

Elvis Presley

Can't Help Falling In Love

Elvis Presley

Don McLean

Vincent

Don McLean

The Beatles

Let It Be

The Beatles

See More

Popular chords globally

Most played chords & tabs across all users

1

Perfect

Ed Sheeran

2

Creep

Radiohead

3

Yellow

Coldplay

4

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

Green Day

5

Zombie

The Cranberries

6

Wonderwall

Oasis

7

Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Bob Dylan

Recently added

Recently added chords & tabs

Feel Good Inc.

Mert Can, LOOP

Bester Sommer

Lina Larissa Strahl, Bibi und Tina: Mädchen gegen Jungs

Labios rojos

LDNE

Cosas indecentes

LDNE

Loser, Baby

Keith David, Andrew Underberg, Hazbin Hotel

Dancing Through Life

Jonathan Bailey, Ariana Grande, Wicked

The Boxer

Jerry Douglas, Mumford & Sons, Paul Simon

Frequently asked questions

The original key of Prime Time by Don McLean is A major.

The primary chords used in Prime Time are G, A, C, D, Dm, Bb.

To play in the original key, place your capo on the 2 fret.

Yes, this version uses open chords like G, A, C, D, making it a great song for beginner guitarists.

The tempo of Prime Time is approximately 130 beats per minute.

You can easily change the key of Prime Time using our Transpose button located in the toolbar. This will automatically update all chord diagrams on the page to match your new key.

Yes! Click the Print icon to generate a clean, one-page version of the chords and lyrics for Prime Time. This is perfect for practicing offline or adding to a physical songbook.

Yes, we have integrated a Mini-Tuner directly on this page. Use it to quickly check your string pitch (Standard Tuning: E A D G B E) before you start playing along with Don McLean.

Absolutely. Click the Save or Heart icon to add Prime Time to your account. You can access all your saved songs under My Library at any time.

You can view the full chord sheet and lyrics for Prime Time by Don McLean on this page for free. We provide high-quality, verified chords to help you start playing immediately.