This tune uses 4 chords,
G Major,
Cadd9,
D Major
and
E minor.
On the original recording, the tune mixes individual notes of chords (arpeggiates) with strumming. But for now, just strum the chords in a "down down up up down up" (D D U U D U) pattern; one complete pattern per measure.
Background on this tab
Billie Joe Armstrong - lead vocalist, chief songwriter and guitarist for the band says in an interview in Guitar Legends magazine, May 2005:
"At the time I wrote Good Riddance, I was breaking up with a girl that was moving to Ecuador, and I was trying to be as understanding about it as I could. I wrote the song as kind of a bon voyage. I was trying not to be bitter, but I think it came out a little bit bitter anyway... I thought that calling the song "Time of Your Life" was just a little too level-headed for me, so I had to come up with something different"
Song #3 - Time of Your Life (Good Riddance), by Green Day(view lyrics)