House of the Rising Sun Chords
The classic picking song. Five chords that roll around and around, with a full F barre to earn your stripes.
The Animals · 1964 · Traditional
- Key: Am
- 6/8
- Rolling
- 5 chords
- Intermediate
Chords in this song
Play along, bar by bar
Each box is one bar of 6/8: six beats, counted 1 2 3, 4 5 6. Press play, or tap a bar to start there.
First chord
Am
Next
C
Verse×4
How to play it
Strum
- ↓1
- ↓2
- ↓3
- ↓4
- ↓5
- ↓6
Or pick it
- Bass1
- 32
- 23
- 14
- 25
- 36
Strings count from the thinnest: 1 is the high E. Bass is the chord’s lowest note.
Picking is the classic way to play it. Let every note ring into the next.
Want more? All songs with chords or learn more chords.
Frequently asked questions
What key is House of the Rising Sun in?
The Animals recorded it in Am. It uses 5 chords: Am, C, D, F, E.
Is House of the Rising Sun hard to play on guitar?
It's a intermediate song. Learn the chord changes slowly first, then add the strumming.