Olivia Rodrigo - 1 step forward, 3 steps back: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "1 step forward, 3 steps back" on your guitar with our detailed chord guide and lyrics. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

Learn 1 step forward, 3 steps back Guitar Chords and Lyrics by Olivia Rodrigo

This section will guide you through each part of the song, providing the guitar chords placed directly above the lyrics for easy playing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, these elements will help you perform "1 step forward, 3 steps back" smoothly on your guitar.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

                    D        D/A  Gmaj7
Called you on the phone today
                 D          D/A Gmaj7
Just to ask you how you were
                     D      D/A Gmaj7
All I did was speak normally
                          D   D/A Gmaj7
Somehow I still struck a nerve
                             D        D/A Gmaj7
You got me fucked up in the head, boy
                 D      D/A    Gmaj7
Never doubted myself so much
                        D       D/A  Gmaj7
Like am I pretty, am I fun, boy
                        D          D/A         Gmaj7
I hate that I give you power over that kind of stuff

Chorus:
                D         F#m         Gmaj7       D
Cuz it's always one step forward and three steps back
         D            F#m          Gmaj7    D
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
            D         F#m        Gmaj7        D
It's always one step forward and three steps back
        D                F#m             Gmaj7        D
Do you love me, want me, hate me, boy, I don't understand
      Gmaj7        D
No, I don't understand

And maybe in some masochistic way
I kind of find it all exciting
Like, which lover will I get today?
Will you walk me to the door or send me home crying?

Chorus:
It's one step forward and three steps back
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me?
Boy, I don't understand

          D        F#m        Gmaj7           D
No, it's back and forth did I say something wrong
      D         F#m        Gmaj7      D
It's back and forth going over everything I said
      D        F#m        Gmaj7          D
It's back and forth did I do something wrong
      D         F#m        Gmaj7       D
It's back and forth maybe this is all your fault instead

Chorus:
It's one step forward and three steps back
And I'd leave you, but the rollercoaster's all I've ever had
Yeah, it's one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me?
Boy, I don't understand
No, I don't understand


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

A

Guitar chord A

D

Guitar chord D

F#m

Guitar chord F#m

Gm

Guitar chord Gm

Gmaj7

Guitar chord Gmaj7

Gmaj

Guitar chord Gmaj

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "1 step forward, 3 steps back" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "1 step forward, 3 steps back" by Olivia Rodrigo.