Skip to song content

Tom Petty - Runnin’ Down A Dream Ukulele Chords

ChordsE, D, A, G, C
Strumming↓↑-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to A,D,G keys to play this song with easier chords.

E
ItwasaEbeautifulday,thesunbeatdown,IhadtheDradioon,IwasEdriving
Treesflewby,meandDelwassingin’,littleDRunaway,IwasEflying
YeahI’mArunnin’GdownaEdream,thatneverwouldGcometoAme
DWorkin’onaGmystery,EgoingGwhereveritAleads,runnin’GdownaEdream
IEfeltsogood,likeanythingwaspossible,IhitDcruisecontrol,andrubbedmyEeyes
Thelastthreedays,therainwasun-stoppable,itwasDalwayscold,no Esunshine
YeahI’mArunnin’GdownaEdream,thatneverwouldGcometoAme
DWorkin’onaGmystery,EgoingGwhereveritAleads,runnin’GdownaEdream
COuouou,Dououou,Eououou,Cououou,Dououou,Eououou
IErolledon,astheskygrewdark,IputtheDpedaldown,tomakesomeEtime
There’ssomethinggood,waitingdownthisroad,I’mDpickingup,whatever’sEmine
YeahI’mArunnin’GdownaEdream,thatneverwouldGcometoAme
DWorkin’onaGmystery,EgoingGwhereveritAleads,runnin’GdownaEdream
COuouou,Dououou,Eououou,Cououou,Dououou,Eououou
ArtistTom Petty
AlbumFull Moon Fever
GenresPop, Pop Rock, Rock
Year1989
KeyE
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Runnin Down A Dream on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Tom Petty - Runnin Down A Dream on ukulele requires 5 chords and 8 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓↑-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Runnin Down A Dream uses these transitions most often: D → E (10), G → E (9), and A → G (6). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with E - D chord transition.

1. E → D chord transition

Here's how to move from E to D:

  1. Slide your index finger on G string from fret 4 to fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to C string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 6 times.

E to D

2. E → A chord transition

Here's how to move from E to A:

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 4 and place it on C string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 3 times.

E to A

3. A → G chord transition

Switching from A to G:

  1. Slide your index finger on C string from fret 1 to fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 6 times.

A to G

4. G → E chord transition

Here's how to move from G to E:

  1. While playing G, lift your ring finger from E string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from C string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 4.
  3. Keep middle finger on A string fret 2.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 9 times.

G to E

5. A → D chord transition

Switching from A to D:

  1. Lift your index finger from C string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to C string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 2.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 3 times.

6. D → G chord transition

Switching from D to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 2 to fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 3 times.

7. E → C chord transition

Switching from E to C:

  1. While playing E, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Place ring finger on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 4 times.

8. C → D chord transition

To move from C to D:

  1. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 2.
  2. Place index finger on G string fret 2.
  3. Place middle finger on C string fret 2.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 4 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Runnin Down A Dream.

  • Runnin Down A Dream includes 60 chord transitions, 8 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Runnin Down A Dream contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Runnin Down A Dream connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After E, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are A (25%), D (14%), and B (11%).
    • E → A: 25%
    • E → D: 14%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → A: 6%
    • G → E: 1%