Taylor Swift - American Girl Ukulele

No capo


Verse 1
E                     C#m F#
Well she was an American girl
A               B
    Raised on proses
E                    F#
  She couldnt help thinkin that there
      A
Was a little more to life
B
Somewhere else
                    E
After all it was a great big world
A                         F#m
     With lots of places to run to
B
and if she had to die
B
Tryin she had one little promise
B                   A
She was gonna keep

Chorus
      B    E
Oh yeah, all right
           C#m
Take it easy baby
               E
Make it last all night
          B            E
She was an American girl

Verse 2
E               F#
It was kind of cold that night
A                      B
She stood alone on her balcony
E                     F#
     She could the cars roll by
     Am
Out on 441
   B
Like waves crashin in the beach
                   D#   E
And for one desperate moment there
A                      F#m
He crept back in her memory
  B
God its so painful
Something thats so close
And still so far out of reach

Chorus
A       B         E
Oh yeah, all right
             C#m
Take it easy baby
Make it last all night
A           B           E
   She was an American girl

A   B   E

Chorus




How to play "American Girl" by Taylor Swift on ukulele

This rendition of "American Girl" captures a nostalgic and reflective mood 
through its chord progression and melodic flow. The song uses major and 
minor chords to bring depth to the storytelling.

Chords Used:
E, C#m, F#, A, B, Am, D#

Verse Structure:
- Start the verse with the E chord and then transition through C#m, F#, A, 
  and B to reflect the unfolding story.
- For example, "Well she was an American girl" should be played starting 
  on the E chord, transitioning into C#m and F# as the verse progresses.
- Pay attention to the narrative quality of the lyrics, letting the chords 
  provide a supportive backdrop.

Chorus:
- The chorus uses B, E, C#m to lift the mood, with the repetitive lines 
  "Oh yeah, all right, Take it easy baby, Make it last all night" creating 
  a memorable and catchy sequence.
- This part should feel more upbeat compared to the verses, reflecting the 
  freeing sentiment of the chorus.

Bridge:
- There's a shift in the bridge to include D#, which adds a different 
  harmonic color, enhancing the emotional intensity of "And for one desperate
  moment there."
- This section is pivotal in conveying the climax of the emotional narrative.

Strumming Pattern:
- A simple strumming pattern for this song would be:
  Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
- This pattern helps to maintain a steady, rhythmic feel which supports 
  the sing-along quality of the song.

Common Mistakes:
- Overstrumming can drown out the lyrics. It's important to keep the 
  strumming controlled and in harmony with the vocal delivery.
- Not maintaining the rhythm during the transition from the verse to the 
  chorus can disrupt the flow of the song. Practice these transitions to 
  ensure they're smooth.

General Tips:
- Practice each chord transition slowly to make sure you can move between 
  them effortlessly.
- Sing along as you play to integrate the lyrics and chords. This will 
  help in delivering the song more naturally and expressively.
- Focus on the emotional delivery; this song's reflective lyrics should 
  come through clearly and poignantly.

Meaning of the Lyrics:
- "American Girl" reflects on the dreams and aspirations of a young woman 
  looking for something more beyond her immediate surroundings. It's about 
  the yearning for a broader experience of life and holding onto hope and 
  promises made to oneself.