“Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day is a powerful and emotionally resonant song, beloved by fans and guitarists alike. Its poignant lyrics and memorable melody make it a fantastic song to learn on guitar. If you’re looking for the guitar tabs to play this iconic track, you’ve come to the right place. This guide provides you with the chords and structure you need to strum along to “Wake Me Up When September Ends”.
Chords Used in Wake Me Up When September Ends
This song primarily uses a selection of common guitar chords, making it accessible for intermediate players and even ambitious beginners. Here are the chords you’ll need to know:
- G
- D/F# (D/F sharp)
- Em7 (E minor 7)
- C
- Cm (C minor)
- Bm (B minor)
- D
While some chords like D/F# and Em7 might seem slightly more advanced, they are variations that add depth to the song’s sound. Don’t be intimidated! With a little practice, you’ll get them down.
Song Structure and Chord Progression
“Wake Me Up When September Ends” follows a clear and repeating song structure, which makes it easier to learn and memorize. Here’s a breakdown of the sections and their corresponding chord progressions:
Intro
The song begins with a simple and recognizable intro riff played on guitar.
G5 G5 G5 G5A Section (Verse)
This section forms the verses of the song, telling the story and building the emotional narrative. The chord progression is:
G D/F# Em7 G
C Cm GExample lyrics for A Section:
Summer has come and passed, the innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends
Like my fathers come to pass, seven years has gone so fast
Wake me up when September ends
B Section (Bridge)
The B Section acts as a bridge, offering a change in dynamics and emotion before returning to the familiar A Section. The chords for the B Section are:
Em Bm C G D/F#
Em Bm C DExample lyrics for B Section:
Here comes the rain again, falling from the stars
Drenched in my pain again, becoming who we are
Coda (Outro)
The Coda serves as the outro, fading out the song with the repeating and poignant phrase. The chords for the Coda are:
C Cm GExample lyrics for Coda:
Wake me up when September ends
Wake me up when September ends
Wake me up when September ends
Complete Guitar Tab for Wake Me Up When September Ends
Here’s the full guitar tab, combining the sections and chord progressions outlined above. Follow along to learn the complete song structure:
Intro
G5 G5 G5 G5
A Section
G D/F# Em7 G
Summer has come and passed, the innocent can never last
C Cm G
Wake me up when September ends
G D/F# Em7 G
Like my fathers come to pass, seven years has gone so fast
C Cm G D/F#
Wake me up when September ends
B Section
Em Bm C G D/F#
Here comes the rain again, falling from the stars
Em Bm C D
Drenched in my pain again, becoming who we are
A Section #2
G D/F# Em7 G
As my memory rests but never forgets what I lost
C Cm G
Wake me up when September ends
G D/F# Em7 G
Summer has come and passed, the innocent can never last
C Cm G D/F#
Wake me up when September ends
G D/F# Em7 G
Ring out the bells again, like we did when spring began
C Cm G
Wake me up when September ends
B Section #2
Em Bm C G D/F#
Here comes the rain again, falling from the stars
Em Bm C D
Drenched in my pain again, becoming who we are
A Section #3
G D/F# Em7 G
As my memory rests but never forgets what I lost
C Cm G
Wake me up when September ends
G D/F# Em7 G
Summer has come and passed, the innocent can never last
C Cm G
Wake me up when September ends
G D/F# Em7 G
Like my father’s come to pass, twenty years has gone so fast
Coda
C Cm G
Wake me up when September ends
C Cm G
Wake me up when September ends
C Cm G
Wake me up when September ends
Tips for Playing “Wake Me Up When September Ends”
- Strumming Pattern: For the verses and chorus, a simple down-down-up-up-down strumming pattern works well. Experiment to find what feels and sounds best to you.
- Listen to the Original: The best way to learn the feel and timing of the song is to listen to Green Day’s original recording repeatedly. Pay attention to the dynamics and nuances of their performance.
- Practice Chord Transitions: Smooth transitions between chords are key to playing this song fluidly. Practice moving between G, D/F#, Em7, C, and Cm chords until you can switch effortlessly.
- Start Slow: Don’t rush! Begin by playing the chords slowly and focusing on accuracy. Gradually increase your tempo as you become more comfortable.
- Use a Metronome: A metronome can be a valuable tool for developing your timing and rhythm.
“Wake Me Up When September Ends” is a rewarding song to learn on guitar. With these tabs and tips, you’ll be playing this Green Day classic in no time. Grab your guitar and start practicing!
