Song Tabs

 Neil Diamond’s original recording of this song is energetic and has a gospel-tinged, rhythmic feel. Playing it on guitar can capture the lively spirit, even in a solo or small group setting.

Chords and Progression
The song uses simple open chords: D, G, and C. These are beginner-friendly and require minimal finger movement.

Strumming Tips
Keep the strumming pattern steady and energetic. A recommended pattern is down-down-up-up-down-up for each chord. For more drive, you can accentuate the second and fourth beats. In the chorus, try slightly stronger strums to match the song’s dynamic lift.

Chord Changes
Practice moving between D, G, and C smoothly. When switching from D to G, keep your ring finger as an “anchor” on the third fret (B string for D, high E for G) to speed up transitions. For G to C, pivot your index finger from the A string (G) to the B string (C).

Techniques
Keep your strumming hand loose for a brighter, percussive sound. Muting the strings lightly with the palm during some verses can add rhythmic variation, especially where the lyrics get softer before a chorus or spoken section.

Final Tips
Start at a slower tempo if needed, then gradually increase speed as you get comfortable. Sing along to help internalize chord changes and timing. Most importantly, have fun and let the rhythm drive the performance!