“Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. is a timeless classic, instantly recognizable by its mandolin riff and Michael Stipe’s evocative vocals. For guitar players, it’s also a fantastic song to learn, offering a blend of simple yet engaging chords. This guide breaks down the easy guitar chords you need to play “Losing My Religion,” perfect for beginners and seasoned players alike.
Verse Chords
The verse sections of “Losing My Religion” are built around a repeating chord progression that’s both beautiful and straightforward. Here are the chords you’ll need for the verse:
Am Am Em Em Am Am Em Em
Every whisper of every waking hour I’m choosing my confessions,
Am Am Em Em
Trying to keep an eye of you
Am Am Em Em Dm Dm G G (hold)
Like a hurt lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no, I’ve said too much, I set it up.
Am Am Em Em
Consider this, consider this,
Am Am Em Em
The hint of a century,
Am Am Em Em
Consider this: the slip
Am Am Em Em
That brought me to my knees failed.
Am Am Em Em
What if all these fantasies
Dm Dm G G
Come flailing around?
Now I’ve said too much.
As you can see, the verse primarily uses Am, Em, Dm, and G chords. These are fundamental open chords that are essential for any beginner guitarist to learn. The progression is repetitive, making it easy to memorize and practice.
Chorus Chords
The chorus of “Losing My Religion” is where the song’s emotional intensity truly shines. The chord progression here is slightly different but still uses familiar chords:
Am Am Em Em
That’s me in the corner,
Am Am Em Em
That’s me in the spotlight
Am Am Em Em
Losing my religion.
Em Em Am Am Em Em
Trying to keep up with you.
Am Am
And I don’t know if I can do it.
Em Em Dm Dm G G
Oh no, I’ve said too much, I set it up.
Notice how the chorus maintains the Am and Em chords, reinforcing the song’s harmonic foundation. The inclusion of Dm and G remains consistent from the verse, creating a cohesive and recognizable sound throughout the song.
Bridge Chords
The bridge offers a slight change of pace and introduces a new chord, F major, adding a touch of harmonic color.
F
I thought that I heard you laughing,
F Am Am
I thought that I heard you sing.
F F Am G
I think I thought I saw you try.
Solo/Mandolin Interlude
The solo section, famously played on mandolin in the original recording, can be adapted for guitar. While the exact mandolin part is intricate, you can capture the essence with simple chords or single notes. The provided notation gives a sense of the melody, but for guitar, focusing on the underlying chord progression can be more practical for beginners.
C D C D C D C D
But that was just a dream,
That was just a dream
These simple C and D chords create a contrasting section before returning to the chorus.
Song Structure
“Losing My Religion” follows a classic verse-chorus structure, making it easy to follow and learn:
- Verse 1
- Chorus
- Verse 2
- Chorus
- Bridge
- Solo/Mandolin Interlude
- Chorus
- Bridge
- Outro (Mandolin)
Understanding the song structure helps you anticipate chord changes and memorize the song more effectively.
Tips for Playing
- Strumming Pattern: For beginners, a simple down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern in 4/4 time works well for most sections. As you get more comfortable, you can experiment with more complex rhythms.
- Chord Transitions: Practice smooth transitions between Am, Em, Dm, G, and F chords. Focus on cleanly changing chords without pausing the rhythm.
- Listen to the Original: Regularly listen to R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” to internalize the song’s timing, dynamics, and feel. This will greatly enhance your playing.
- Start Slow: Begin practicing at a slower tempo to focus on accuracy. Gradually increase speed as you become more confident with the chords and transitions.
Conclusion
Learning to play “Losing My Religion” on guitar is a rewarding experience. These easy guitar chords provide a solid foundation for playing this iconic song. With consistent practice and attention to the tips provided, you’ll be playing along to this R.E.M. classic in no time. Grab your guitar and start practicing these “Guitar Chords Losing My Religion” today!
