“Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. is a timeless song known for its emotional depth and comforting message. For guitar players, it’s also a fantastic song to learn, thanks to its relatively simple chord progression and powerful impact. If you’re looking to play this classic, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will provide you with easy-to-follow guitar chords for “Everybody Hurts”, perfect for beginners and seasoned players alike.
Understanding the Song Structure and Chords
“Everybody Hurts” follows a classic song structure, making it easy to learn and remember. The song primarily revolves around a few core chords, which are repeated throughout the verses and choruses. These chords are:
- D Major (D)
- G Major (G)
- Em Minor (Em)
- A Major (A)
In the bridge, you’ll encounter a few additional chords that add harmonic interest:
- F Sharp Minor (F#m)
- B Minor (Bm)
- C Major (C)
The song’s beauty lies in how these simple chords are arranged to create such a moving and relatable piece of music.
“Everybody Hurts” Guitar Chords Breakdown
Here’s a section-by-section breakdown of the chords for “Everybody Hurts”. The chords are written above the lyrics to help you follow along.
Verse 1:
D G D G
When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone
D G D G
When you’re sure you’ve had enough of this life, well hang on
(Walkdown – E(low) 3–2–0)
Chorus:
Em A Em A
Don’t let yourself go, everybody cries
Em A A D G
and everybody hurts sometimes
Verse 2:
D G D
Sometimes everything is wrong, now it’s time to sing along
G D
When your day is night (hold on, hold on)
G D
If you feel like letting go
G D G
If you think you’ve had too much of this life, well hang on
(Walkdown E(low) 3–2–0)
Chorus:
Em A Em A
Everybody hurts, take comfort in your friends
Em A
Everybody hurts
Bridge:
F#m Bm F#m Bm
Don’t throw your hand, oh no, don’t throw your hand
F#m Bm
when you feel like you’re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone
C G C Am
when you feel like you’re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone
Verse 3:
D G D G
If you’re on your own in this life, the days and nights are long
D G D G
When you think you’ve had too much, of this life, to hang on
(Walkdown E(low) 3–2–0)
Chorus:
Em A Em
Well everybody hurts, sometimes
A Em A A D G
Everybody cries, everybody hurts, sometimes
D G D G D
Everybody hurts sometimes so hold on, hold on, hold on,
G D G D G
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on,
D G D G D G D G D G D
Everybody hurts You are not alone
Tips for Playing “Everybody Hurts” on Guitar
- Strumming Pattern: A simple down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern works well for most of the song. Feel free to experiment and find what sounds best to you.
- Walkdown: The “walkdown” mentioned in the chords refers to a bass line movement from E to D. On guitar, you can play the E string open (E), then the D string 2nd fret (E), then D string open (D). It’s a subtle but effective transition.
- Beginner Friendly: The chords used in “Everybody Hurts” are common beginner guitar chords. If you’re just starting out, this is a great song to add to your repertoire.
- Emotional Connection: Let the emotional weight of the song come through in your playing. “Everybody Hurts” is about empathy and shared human experience, so try to convey that feeling in your performance.
“Everybody Hurts” is more than just a song; it’s an anthem of comfort and understanding. Learning to play it on guitar allows you to connect with its message on a deeper level. So grab your guitar, practice these chords, and bring this beautiful song to life.
