Song Tabs
Song Index Songs by Chords Guide to Guitar Chords About
EADGBEXX D
EADGBEXX Dsus4
EADGBE G
EADGBEX A7
EADGBEX A
EADGBEXX D7
Other songs by Jimmy Buffett
Margaritaville Jimmy Buffett

 Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" is a classic laid-back, beachy tune known for its relaxed tempo and singalong chorus. The original version is built around simple open chords, making it approachable for beginner guitarists.

Chords:
The song mainly uses open chords: D, Dsus4, D7, G, A, A7. These are beginner-friendly shapes. Practice switching smoothly between them, especially D to D7 and G to A/A7, as these transitions happen frequently.

Strumming Pattern:
A standard strumming pattern for this song could be down-down-up-up-down-up for each measure. Keep your strumming relaxed to match the song’s easygoing feel. For the intro and bridge, you can accentuate the Dsus4 by briefly hammering your pinky onto the high E string (third fret) then releasing to D.

Tips for Beginners:

    • Practice the intro and outro slowly, focusing on the D to Dsus4 movement.
    • When moving between D and D7, keep your index finger anchored and just adjust your other fingers.
    • For the A and A7 chords, try to keep your fingers close to the fretboard to minimize movement.
    • If the A chord is tricky, you can play it with just one finger barring the second fret of the D, G, and B strings.*

Sing Along:
This song is great for group singing, so once comfortable with chords and strum, try singing the lyrics while playing.

EADGBEXX D
EADGBEXX Dsus4
EADGBE G
EADGBEX A7
EADGBEX A
EADGBEXX D7
Intro
D D D Dsus4 D
D D D Dsus4 D
G G G G
G A7 D
Verse 1
D Nibblin' onD spongeD cake, watchin' theD sunD bake
All of those tourists covered withA oil
A Strummin' myA sixA string, on my frontA porchA swing
A Smell of shrimp dip beginning toD boilD7
Chorus
G Wastin' aA way again in MargaD ritavilleD7
G Searchin' for myA lost shaker ofD saltD7
G Some peopleA claim that there's aD wo-man toG blame
But IA know, it's nobodysD faultD A D
Verse 2
Don't know theD reaD son, stayed here allD seaD son
Nothin' to show but this brand new taA too
A But it's a realA beauA ty, a MexicanA cuA tie
A How it got here I haven't aD clueD7
Chorus
G Wastin' aA way again in MargaD ritavilleD7
G Searchin' for myA lost shaker ofD saltD7
G Some peopleA claim that there's aD wo-man toG blame
Now IA think, "Hell it could be myD fault"D A D
Bridge
D D D Dsus4 D
D D D Dsus4 D
D D A
G A D A G
A A A D D
Verse 3
I blew out myD flipD flop, stepped on aD popD top
Cut my heel had to cruise on backA home
A But there's booze in theA blenA der, and soon it willA renA der
A That frozen concoction that helps me hangD onD7
Chorus
G Wastin' aA way again in MargaD ritavilleD7
G Searchin' for myA lost shaker ofD saltD7
G Some peopleA claim that there's aD wo-man toG blame
But IA know, it's my own damnedD faultD A D
Outro
Yes and,G some peopleA claim that there's aD wo-man toG blame
And IA know, it's my own damnedD faultD D D D
G G G G
G A7 D
Other songs by Jimmy Buffett