--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All I have is this guitar, these chords…" description: "\"All I have is this guitar, these chords and the truth.\" — Jon Bon Jovi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/jon-bon-jovi-2929_chords_all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-a_3200789.jpg" --- # All I have is this guitar, these chords and the truth. ![“All I have is this guitar, these chords and the truth.” quote by Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/jon-bon-jovi-2929_chords_all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-a_3200789.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/jon-bon-jovi-2929_chords_all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-a_3200789.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/jon-bon-jovi-2929_chords_all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-a_3200789.jpg) > “All I have is this guitar, these chords and the truth.” [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A musician relies on his instrument, chords, and honesty to convey truth and authenticity. **In simple terms:** Music, chords, and truth define his art. Key Takeaway Stay authentic and let your craft speak. Themes authenticity music truth creativity Mood inspirational reflective passionate Type musical personal philosophical When to use this quote - Performing live - songwriting - recording - personal branding Key Concepts Artistic integrity self-expression musical storytelling Questions to Reflect On - What does “truth” mean in music? - How can authenticity be measured? A Different Perspective Truth may be subjective and interpreted differently. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitar/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [I bought one of those Learn How to Play Guitar Chords By Yourself and it shows you the diagram where to put your hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-jett/i-bought-one-of-those-learn-how-to-play-guitar-chords-by-yourself-and/) [Joan Jett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-jett/) > [Except for a few guitar chords, everything I've learned in my life that is of any value I've learned from women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-frey/except-for-a-few-guitar-chords-everything-i-ve-learned-in-my-life/) [Glenn Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-frey/) > [I really love country music, just this idea of three chords and the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ragnar-kjartansson/i-really-love-country-music-just-this-idea-of-three-chords-and-the/) [Ragnar Kjartansson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ragnar-kjartansson/) > [When I started, they told me I only needed 3 chords and the truth... It turned out I could manage with 2 and some vague ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-strummer/when-i-started-they-told-me-i-only-needed-3-chords-and-the-truth-it/) [Joe Strummer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-strummer/) > [Three chords and the truth - that's what a country song is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-nelson/three-chords-and-the-truth-that-s-what-a-country-song-is/) [Willie Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-nelson/) > [Country music is three chords and the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-howard/country-music-is-three-chords-and-the-truth/) [Harlan Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-howard/) > [I always wanted to do country music because I'm just such a country music fan. And I feel like 'three chords and the truth'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jelly-roll/i-always-wanted-to-do-country-music-because-i-m-just-such-a-country/) [Jelly Roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jelly-roll/) > [My father would say, 'Play a scale,' and I'd play one and he'd say, 'What about the rest? There must be one above,' so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/my-father-would-say-play-a-scale-and-i-d-play-one-and-he-d-say-what/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [I was a big fan of Jim Hall as well. I liked his comping style, his accompanying. And that he played, generally, four note…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-burton/i-was-a-big-fan-of-jim-hall-as-well-i-liked-his-comping-style-his/) [Gary Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-burton/) > [There are no rules or certain methods. I usually start with the guitar or piano and sing melodies over the chords. The lyrics seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-reeves/there-are-no-rules-or-certain-methods-i-usually-start-with-the-guitar/) [Jason Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-reeves/) > [I don't want to discredit people's opinions of me, but you talk about the violin or the cello or lead guitar where you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/i-don-t-want-to-discredit-people-s-opinions-of-me-but-you-talk-about/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) > [I can't remember the first song I learned to play on bass, but the first song I learned to play on guitar was 'For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geddy-lee/i-can-t-remember-the-first-song-i-learned-to-play-on-bass-but-the/) [Geddy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geddy-lee/) > [When Johnny Cash died, ... I picked up my guitar and got the idea that Bob Dylan was the last man standing, the last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/when-johnny-cash-died-i-picked-up-my-guitar-and-got-the-idea-that-bob/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [Every time I finish a song... most of the time it's in my own head, like this sounds too much like a Townes Van…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/every-time-i-finish-a-song-most-of-the-time-it-s-in-my-own-head-like/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) ## More by Jon Bon Jovi > [Women rule the world. It's not really worth fighting because they know what they're doing. Ask Napoleon. Ask Adam. Ask Richard Burton or Richie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/women-rule-the-world-it-s-not-really-worth-fighting-because-they-know/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [There's a vintage which comes with age and experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/there-s-a-vintage-which-comes-with-age-and-experience/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [I just want to live while I'm alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/i-just-want-to-live-while-i-m-alive/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [ I didn't vote for \[President Bush\]. But I've never said anything bad about the guy because I have respect for the office. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/i-didn-t-vote-for-president-bush-but-i-ve-never-said-anything-bad/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [It's all the same, only the names will change. Everyday it seems we're wasting away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/it-s-all-the-same-only-the-names-will-change-everyday-it-seems-we-re/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [Believe in your dreams. If you don't, who will?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/believe-in-your-dreams-if-you-don-t-who-will/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [My health and my family are the core of my being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/my-health-and-my-family-are-the-core-of-my-being/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [And I laughed so hard I think I died](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/and-i-laughed-so-hard-i-think-i-died/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [You just stay the course, and do what it is that you do, and grow while you're doing it. Eventually it will either come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/you-just-stay-the-course-and-do-what-it-is-that-you-do-and-grow-while/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [In our town, the most popular way out was joining the service. So my three best friends joined the Navy to get out. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/in-our-town-the-most-popular-way-out-was-joining-the-service-so-my/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [When Johnny Cash died, ... I picked up my guitar and got the idea that Bob Dylan was the last man standing, the last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/when-johnny-cash-died-i-picked-up-my-guitar-and-got-the-idea-that-bob/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [My mom was the poster girl for the Marines. So she was in the poster saying, "I want you." My parents were both Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/my-mom-was-the-poster-girl-for-the-marines-so-she-was-in-the-poster/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [I don´t know where I´m going, only God knows where I´ve been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/i-don-t-know-where-i-m-going-only-god-knows-where-i-ve-been/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [Jersey girls have this inner glow that makes them more beautiful than any other girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/jersey-girls-have-this-inner-glow-that-makes-them-more-beautiful-than/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [Yeah, I will love you baby - Always and I'll be there forever and a day - Always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/yeah-i-will-love-you-baby-always-and-i-ll-be-there-forever-and-a-day/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) [Explore all 145 Jon Bon Jovi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) ## More Chords quotes > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [Every time I finish a song... most of the time it's in my own head, like this sounds too much like a Townes Van…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/every-time-i-finish-a-song-most-of-the-time-it-s-in-my-own-head-like/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. I didn't want to use big pad chords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midge-ure/so-i-concentrated-on-the-rhythmic-side-of-things-and-therefore-left-a/) [Midge Ure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/midge-ure/) > [Talk health. The dreary, never-changing tale Of mortal maladies is worn and stale. You cannot charm, or interest, or please By harping in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/talk-health-the-dreary-never-changing-tale-of-mortal-maladies-is-worn/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [There's four chords in every song. That's the fun part - trying to make that your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-rodrigo/there-s-four-chords-in-every-song-that-s-the-fun-part-trying-to-make/) [Olivia Rodrigo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-rodrigo/) > [Pete Townsend for me was a huge influence. Because essentially they were a three-piece band and the way he structured his chords and took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-lifeson/pete-townsend-for-me-was-a-huge-influence-because-essentially-they/) [Alex Lifeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-lifeson/) > [“Wild Horses" started in a B-minor chord, and Stu didn't play minor chords, "fucking Chinese music.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/wild-horses-started-in-a-b-minor-chord-and-stu-didn-t-play-minor/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [I learned to play by ear before I learned music theory. For me, that makes sense. After all, children learn to speak before they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jools-holland/i-learned-to-play-by-ear-before-i-learned-music-theory-for-me-that/) [Jools Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jools-holland/) > [My course is about really working on a sheet of music. You work out the chords, which note complements the other, and how they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catriona-gray/my-course-is-about-really-working-on-a-sheet-of-music-you-work-out/) [Catriona Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catriona-gray/) > [I don't write poetry and then strum some chords and then fit the words on top of the chords.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-don-t-write-poetry-and-then-strum-some-chords-and-then-fit-the/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I always think of each night as a song. Or each moment as a song. But now I'm seeing we don't live in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-always-think-of-each-night-as-a-song-or-each-moment-as-a-song-but/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [It's a double-headed coin, because technology is a convenience but it's stifled our attention spans. At one time, albums had songs that were like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cee-lo-green/it-s-a-double-headed-coin-because-technology-is-a-convenience-but-it/) [Cee Lo Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cee-lo-green/) > [I don't want to discredit people's opinions of me, but you talk about the violin or the cello or lead guitar where you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/i-don-t-want-to-discredit-people-s-opinions-of-me-but-you-talk-about/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) > [There are no rules or certain methods. I usually start with the guitar or piano and sing melodies over the chords. The lyrics seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-reeves/there-are-no-rules-or-certain-methods-i-usually-start-with-the-guitar/) [Jason Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-reeves/) > [I like really sparse electronics, lush arrangements, and interesting chord structures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-klinghoffer/i-like-really-sparse-electronics-lush-arrangements-and-interesting/) [Josh Klinghoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-klinghoffer/) Browse all 544 Chords quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "All I have is this guitar, these chords and the truth.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jon Bon Jovi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-and-the-truth/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chords" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-and-the-truth/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/jon-bon-jovi-2929_chords_all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-a_3200789.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/jon-bon-jovi-2929_chords_all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-a_3200789.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e9/jon-bon-jovi-2929_chords_all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-a_3200789.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“All I have is this guitar, these chords and the truth.” — Jon Bon Jovi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jon Bon Jovi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "All I have is this guitar,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-and-the-truth/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/all-i-have-is-this-guitar-these-chords-and-the-truth/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```