Green Day · Nimrod (1997)

Time of Your Life (Good Riddance) Chords

Full guitar & piano chord chart — No Capo · Key: G Major

Time of Your Life (Good Riddance) by Green Day is one of the most beloved fingerpicking guitar songs ever written. No capo needed — it uses G, Cadd9, D, Em, and C in the key of G major. The song became a generation-defining anthem and is perfect for acoustic fingerstyle playing.

Artist: Green Day Album: Nimrod (1997) Capo: No Capo Key: G Major Difficulty: Beginner Tuning: Standard EADGBE

Full Chord Chart

🎸 IntroG / G / Cadd9 / D G / G / Cadd9 / D
🎸 Verse 1G / Cadd9 / D G / Cadd9 / D Em / D / C / G Em / D / C / G
🎸 ChorusEm / G / Em / G Em / D / G
🎸 InterludeG / G / Cadd9 / D G / G / Cadd9 / D
🎸 Verse 2G / Cadd9 / D G / Cadd9 / D Em / D / C / G Em / D / C / G
🎸 Chorus 2Em / G / Em / G Em / D / G
🎸 Instrumental SoloG / G / Cadd9 / D G / G / Cadd9 / D G / G / Cadd9 / D G / G / Cadd9 / D Em / D / C / G Em / D / C / G
🎸 Final ChorusEm / G / Em / G Em / D / G
🎸 OutroG / G / Cadd9 / D G / G / Cadd9 / D G

Guitar & Piano Playing Tips

The Cadd9 chord (x32030) keeps your pinky and ring finger planted across the B and high-E strings while you switch between G, C and D — this 'anchor finger' technique is the key to smooth transitions. The original features fingerpicking (not strumming): thumb plays the bass string, fingers arpeggiate up. On piano, play a waltz-feel (3/4 time) left-hand pattern with the melody in the right hand.

Ready to master this song? Our online guitar classes and piano lessons at JBX Music cover these exact chord shapes and progressions for all skill levels — beginner to advanced.

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Chords transcribed for educational purposes. Want to learn guitar or piano? Check our online guitar classes and piano lessons. Book JBX Band for your event — contact us here.