How to Play Are the Good Times Really Over (Guitar Lesson)

I’m always trying to find a good topic to write a guitar lesson on. This week I found a Great Country song to teach you how to play are the good times over. Which some people think it’s called are the good times really over for good. Look what will be covered in this guitar lesson.

How to Play Are the Good Times Really Over (Guitar Lesson)

  1. How to Play Are the Good Times Really Over
  2. Are the Good Times Really Over Chords
  3. The Chord Progression
  4. Timing and strumming pattern
  5. Are the good times really over Lyrics
  6. Bonus – Chord Sheet
  7. Video Guitar Tutorial

If your ready to learn this great Merle Haggard song. Then grab your guitar and let the fun begin.

Are the Good Times Really Over Chords

The chords are easy open chords. And they are C F and G. I will show you the diagrams for these chords. But if you need help reading chord diagrams look at this quick reference on how to read chord charts.

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How to Play the C Chord

  • Place your first finger on the B string, at the first fret. (2nd string).
  • Your second finger is on the D string. 4th string, at the second fret.
  • Then your third finger is on the 5th string. At the third fret. Which is the A string.
  • When Strumming the C chord. You can strum all the strings.

Playing the F Bar Chord

  • Your first finger is across all the strings at the First fret. Like a Capo.
  • Place your second finger on the 3rd string. (G string). At the second fret.
  • Then place your third finger on the 5th string. The A string, on the 3rd fret.
  • Under the third finger is your pinkie. Also at the 3rd fret on the 4th string.
  • You can strum all the strings when playing the F# Bar Chord.

Yes there are different ways to play the F chord. Some even easier than the F bar Chord. But to get the Bass Note in there like you hear in the song. The F barre Chord is the way to go. But if your not good with playing bar chords yet. Take a look at these tips to play the F bar chord 5 ways. It will make playing the F barre chord easier for you.

How to Play the G Chord

  • Place Your first finger at the second fret of the A string. Which is the 5th string.
  • Put your second finger at the third fret on the E string. The 6th string.
  • Your Third Finger is at the third fret. On the B string.
  • Then place your pinkie on the third fret of the high E string. The 1st string.
  • When strumming the G chord you can play all the strings.

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The Chord Progression Are the Good Times Really Over

Here’s the Intro Chords: C C C C

Verse: C F G C C  F F C  G G C  the walk up to the chorus is played like this. Place your finger at the 3rd fret of the 6th string. Play the 6th string. Then play the open A string. Next place your finger at the 2nd fret of A string. Play the 5th string. Then place your finger at the 3rd fret of the A string. Pick the A string again. And then play the C. Which is the first chord in the chorus.

Chorus: C F G C C F F G G C


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Timing and Strumming Pattern

This song is in 3/4 timing. Most songs that you hear are in 4/4 time. Which simply means you are going to count 4 beats. 1 2 3 4. Which would be 4 strums. If you are counting 3/4 time. You are going to count 1 2 3, 1 , 2 3, 1, 2 3 and 1, 2 3.

The song is at a slow tempo, and really slow at the beginning. To play the chords in the song. In 3/4 timing, you could just strum. But this is how I play it and recommend you try it too.

First off when playing the C Chord. Pick the bass note of the C chord. Which is located at the third fret. On the A string. Which is the 5th string. Your third finger is already there. Since you are fretting the C chord. So pick the 5th string. Then you are going to strum down two times on the C chord.

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Next move your pinkie off the A string. And to the third fret of the E string. The 6th string. Pick the 6th string. Then strum two times playing the C chord.

This picking and strumming. Goes back and forth. And count while your doing this. When you pick that is 1 then you strum down two times. So you are playing in 3/4 time.

After Positioning your fretting hand for the F bar chord. Then you are going to pick the 6th string. Strum the chord 2 times and pick the 5th string and strum. Remember 1 2 3. Let’s take a look at the G chord, it’s next.

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When you play the G chord. You are going to pick the E string which is the 6th string. And then strum the G. Then pick the 5th string. And strum the G again. Got it? Now you give it a go.

I would recommend taking one chord. Get good at picking the bass notes and strumming. Counting as you go. Before you go to the next.

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Video Guitar Tutorial

Are the Good Times Really Over Lyrics

I wish a buck was still silver 
It was back when the country was strong
Back before Elvis and before the Vietnam war came along

Before the Beatles and yesterday
When a man could still work and still would
Is the Best of the free life behind us now 
And are the good times really over for good?

And are we rolling down hill like a snow ball headed for hell?
With no kind of chance for the flag or the Liberty bell

Wish a Ford and Chevy would still last ten years like they should
Is the best of the free life behind us now?
Are the good times really over for good?

I wish coke was still cola and a Joint was a bad place to be
It was back before Nixon lied to us all on TV

Before microwave ovens 
When a girl could still cook and still would
Is the best of the free life behind us now?
Are the good times really over for good?

Are we rolling down hill like a snow ball headed for hell?
With no kind of chance for the flag or the Liberty bell

Wish a Ford and Chevy would still last ten years like they should
Is the best of the free life behind us now?
Are the good times really over for good?

Stop Rolling down hill like a snow ball headed for hell
Stand up for the flag and lets all ring the Liberty bell
Let's make a Ford and Chevy still last ten years like they should

Cause the best of the free life is still yet to come 
And the good times ain't over for good. Source

Bonus – Chord Sheet


Related Questions

Who Wrote Are the Good Times Really Over?

If your wondering who wrote are the good times really over. Then wonder no more according to Wikipedia Merle Haggard wrote this song. It was released in 1982. And went all the way up the charts and landed Number 2 on the Hot Country Single Chart.

Are the Good Times Really Over became song of the year. And was on the album Big City. Just one of Merle Haggard Songs to be awarded song of the year by Academy of Country Music. Source


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YouTube Video of Merle Haggard

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