I Got Stripes by Johnny Cash
I Got Stripes by Johnny Cash runs at 104 BPM in 4/4 and is in the key of Db major. It is built on 5 chords — Ab, Db, Bb, Eb, Cb. Released in 1959.
✓ Key sourced from the McGill Billboard Project's expert chord annotations — not auto-detected. See how we verify →
What to watch for
At least one shape here is a full barre — one finger pressing all six strings, no open strings to lean on. Fret it unplugged first; if a string buzzes, it's the barre, not the chord.
Practice at the right tempo
This song sits at 104 BPM. Start at 60% until the changes are clean — speed is a by-product of accuracy, not a goal.
Learn the theory
Play it on a live fretboard
Every shape, every voicing, and the scale that fits over them — on a board you can hear. Then just talk to it: Melody Monkey's personal music teacher controls the fretboard, so ask for a chord, a scale, a progression, or why any of it works, and watch it land under your fingers. Free to start.
Open the free app →Keep playing
More by Johnny Cash See all →
More Country songs See all →
More songs from 1959 See all →
Frequently asked questions
What key is I Got Stripes in?
I Got Stripes is in Db major, sourced from the McGill Billboard Project's expert chord annotations — not auto-detected.
What tempo is I Got Stripes?
I Got Stripes runs at 104 BPM (beats per minute).
What chords does I Got Stripes use?
I Got Stripes is built on 5 chords: Ab, Db, Bb, Eb, Cb.
Does I Got Stripes need barre chords?
Yes — at least one shape is a full barre (one finger across all six strings). Everything else on the page is a standard open shape.
What tuning is I Got Stripes in?
This recording sits about 22 cents flat of concert pitch (A=434.4Hz, not 440Hz). Tune to the track or you'll fight it the whole way.