“Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones is a timeless classic, beloved by guitarists for its beautiful melody and heartfelt lyrics. This guide provides you with easy-to-follow guitar chords so you can learn to play this iconic song yourself. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, mastering these chords will allow you to capture the raw emotion of “Wild Horses” on your guitar.
The song primarily uses a combination of open chords and some barre chords, making it accessible for a range of skill levels. Here’s a breakdown of the chords used in “Wild Horses” structured by song sections:
Verse Chords: The verses of “Wild Horses” are built around a repeating progression that creates a melancholic and reflective mood. The chords are: Bm, G. You’ll play these two chords in sequence: Bm G Bm G. Following this, the progression moves to Am, C, and D, adding a slight lift before returning to G. The full verse chord sequence is: Bm G Bm G Am |C C C D| G | D D D C|.
Chorus Chords: The chorus of “Wild Horses” is where the song’s emotional core truly shines. The chords are: Am, C, D, G, and F. The progression starts with Am |C C C D|, building tension before resolving to |G F| and then |C C C D|. The powerful and memorable line “Wild horses couldn’t drag me away” is played over Am |C C C D| |G F| C.
Solo & Outro: The solo section in “Wild Horses” uses F, C, and D chords, providing a melodic and dynamic instrumental break. The outro and instrumental verse sections largely mirror the verse chord progression, allowing you to practice and solidify your understanding of the song’s structure.
To get started, tune your guitar to standard tuning. Begin by practicing the chord transitions between G, C, D, Am, Bm, and F. Focus on smooth and clean changes to maintain the song’s gentle flow. For strumming, a simple down-down-up-down-up pattern works well, but feel free to experiment to find what sounds best to you.
“Wild Horses” is an excellent song for developing your chord vocabulary and playing technique. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be playing this Rolling Stones masterpiece in no time. Grab your guitar and start learning today!
