This is so much more than just simply Everything is Cool chords by John Prine. This is a complete guitar lesson. After checking this out you will be able to play the song and sound just like the record.
See what’s covered in Everything Is Cool Chords by John Prine.
- Learn how to play Everything is Cool Chords.
- The chord progression for everything is cool.
- Chord embellishments.
- Runs to get from one chord to the next.
- Lyrics to everything is cool.
- How to Arpeggiate the chords.
- Bonus Video
If your ready to learn this John Prine song Everything is cool. Then grab your guitar and lets begin.
The first thing we are going to cover are what chords are in the song. This is one reason this song is so much fun to play. Is there are primarily 3 easy chords.
Except for at the very beginning of the song. There are two chords that are played up the neck. But once you get your fingers in position they too are fairly easy too.
Bonus Video
So here are the chords that are in the very beginning of the song.
As You can see there are a couple of chords that you may not have played before. The E chord and Eb is at the very beginning of the song. Basically if you know how to position your fingers to play the C chord in the open position. Take that chord and slide up to where your first finger is on the 5th fret of the B string.
Keeping all your fingers in the same position. Simply slide up.
I will go over finger positions of all the chords. Then explain how to play them so that they sound just like the song.
Related Article: How to Play the G Chord on Guitar.
Playing the E Major Chord at the 5th Fret
- Place Your first finger on the B string at the 5th fret. The 2nd string.
- Your second finger is on the D string. 4th string, at the sixth fret.
- Then your third finger is on the 5th string. At the seventh fret. Which is the A string.
When Playing the Eb Chord you are going to move down a half step, So that your first finger is on the 4th string. Your second finger is on the 5th and third finger is on the 6th string. Keeping your fingers in the same position. Simply slide down.
How to Play the A Major Chord Finger Position
- Place Your first finger on the 4th string. The D string. At the second fret.
- Your second finger is on the 3rd string. Which is the G string. Also at the second fret.
- Then your third finger is on the B string. At the second fret. This is the 2nd string.
- Strum from the 5th string down, and don’t play the 6th strings.
E Major Chord Finger Position
- Place your first finger on the 3rd string. (G string). At the first fret.
- Your second finger is on the A string. (5th string). Also at the second fret.
- Then your third finger is on the D string. 4th string, second fret.
- When strumming the E chord you can strum all the strings.
B7 Finger Position
- Place your first finger on the 4th string at the 1st fret. The D string.
- Next place your second finger on the 5th string at the second fret. (A string).
- Your third finger is on the 3rd string at the 2nd fret. (G string).
- Then your Pinkie is on the 1st string at the second fret. (E string).
- Strum the first 5 strings only.
When Playing the B7 You can play it without using your pinkie. If you don’t play the 1st string then don’t play the first string. Just play strings 5 4 3 2.
If you want to learn more about guitar chords and how to transition between them. And techniques that will enhance your playing. Then check out the Guitar Bootcamp Course Here. It’s on Sale!
How to Arpeggiate the Chords
At the beginning of the song your going to play the E chord as described previously. When you get your fingers in position. Then you are going to pick these strings.
6 5 4 2, 5 4 5. Those are the strings you are going to pick individually. Playing it through 4 times or one bar. Then your going to keep your fingers on the same strings. And slide down one fret or a half step. And pick the strings. Picking them two times through.
Then slide back to the E chord and play the same notes two times through. Then it ends on E. By picking the open E string. The 6th string.
Then your going to start playing the A chord.
But what I would do is listen to the song. And get a handle on how it sound. And practice moving from the E to the Eb. Then check out the rest of the progression.
Related Article: Angel of the Morning Guitar Chords.
The Chord Progression for Everything is Cool
After playing the arppegiated chords. You are still at a slow tempo, but now you are going to strum. Starting with the A chord. Then it goes to the E chord. The open E chord, and then to the B7 chord. almost all the way through the song. There are some embellishments and runs that make this song really cool. To get the tab and chords check it out below.
Related Article: How to Play You’ll Always Be My Baby By Alan Jackson.
How to Play Everything is Cool Chords
Okay so I explained how to arpeggiate the first two chords. If you missed that check it out under How to arpeggiate the chords. Now when your strumming the chords. You want to get that Country flavor or sound.
Which is a lot easier than you may think. When you are playing the A chord You are picking the A string and strumming the chord.
Then it goes to the E chord. Once your fingers are ready to play the E chord. You want to pick the E string and strum the chord.
The song is in 4/4 timing. Which means your counting to 4 all the time. So when you pick the string that’s 1 then you are strumming for three strums.
When you play the B7 chord. You are going to pick the 5th string. And strum the chord.
If you listen to the song that’s the beat you will hear. And remember he is using a thumb pick and fingers. The way I am explaining this is with a flat pick. But it will work and is easier for those who are not used to playing with a thumb pick.
To make the song even more fun to play there are some runs or notes leading up to the A chord and B7. I’ll explain them to you in a minute.
Related Article: 6/8 time signature songs for You to Learn on Guitar.
Notes & Runs to Get from One Chord to the Next
When you are playing the A chord and you want to get to the E chord. You can play notes that are “runs,” this really makes it fun to play. Check it out.
The walk up to the A chord is open E string. 6th string, 2 on the E and open A string. Then strum the A chord.
Getting from the E chord to the B7 you are going to pick these notes. Pick the open A string. Place your first finger on the A string, at the first fret. Picking the A string again. Then your second finger going to fret the 2nd fret of the A string. Picking the A string again.
Then you are placing the rest of your fingers in position to play the B7 chord. Then to E and back to the A chord. To get from the E chord to the A chord play this: frets 02 on the low E string and then an open A string.
It’s like this all the way through. Then there is a solo. Which is after the second time John Prine is singing everything is cool every things okay.
Related Article: Ultimate Guitar Tuning Guide How to Tune Your Guitar.
Chord Embellishments
In the middle of the song there is a solo. And this is how your going to play the A Chord. Pick strings 5432434.
Playing the B7 is 012, Then it’s 432434. 012 is the run up to the B7.
Then it goes to the E chord. Pick the E string and the D string. This after you have your fingers in the E major finger position.
After the E chord you go back to the A chord. If this sounds a little confusing. Get the Tab and chord sheet when you become a Patron.
Related Article: Easy Beatles Songs on Guitar.
Everything is Cool Lyrics
Everything is cool, every things okay Why just before last Christmas, My baby went away Cross the sea to an Island While the bridges brightly burned So Far away from my land The valley of the unconcerned I was walking down the road, man Just a looking at my shoes. When God sent me an Angel For to chase away my blues. I saw a hundred thousand black birds Just a flying through the sky They seem to form a tear drop From a black haired angels eye. Those tears fell all around me and they washed my sins away Now every thing is cool, every things okay And I find it so surprising From my self to hear me say That everything is cool every things okay (Repeat) While it was just before last Christmas my baby went away.
Related Questions
John Prine
John Prine the American singer and song writer. Was born October 10, 1946, And died April 7, 2020 due to complications of the Corona Virus. John was 73 when he passed. And still active in music.
John Prine Songs
- Everything is Cool
- Angel from Montgomery
- Illegal Smile
- Hello in There
- The Missing Years