Song Tabs

 About the Original
Highway 101’s original version is a classic country song with a strong backbeat and a steady, driving rhythm. The arrangement features prominent acoustic guitar strumming, which is key to capturing the song’s feel.

Chords and Progression
The song uses basic open chords: D, G, A, Em, and Bm. All are beginner-friendly except Bm, which is a barre chord. For Bm, beginners can try playing only the top three strings (Bm7 shape) or practice the full barre shape slowly.

Strumming Pattern
A simple country strum works well: try down-down-up-up-down-up (D-D-U-U-D-U) for each measure. Focus on steady timing. For dramatic effect in the chorus, you can play a slightly stronger strum or emphasize the first downbeat.

Chord Transitions
Practice moving between D and G, as this change happens frequently. Use your ring finger as a pivot finger when switching. The A chord comes up often; try sliding your fingers together to keep transitions smooth. For Em, keep fingers close to the strings to minimize movement.

Tips for Beginners
Start slow and play along with the song, listening for chord changes at the start of most lines. Use a capo if you want to match the original key but find the chords difficult to sing. Focus on rhythm and clean chord sounds before speeding up.