Learn to Play Iris by Goo Goo Dolls on Guitar: Chords, Strumming Patterns

“Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls is a timeless classic, instantly recognizable for its emotional lyrics and distinctive guitar melody. If you’re an aspiring guitarist looking to learn this iconic song, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will break down the Iris Guitar chords, strumming patterns, and provide helpful tips to get you playing “Iris” smoothly and confidently.

Understanding the Chords for Iris on Guitar

“Iris” primarily uses a set of beginner-friendly chords, making it an excellent choice for those new to guitar. The main chords you’ll need to learn are:

D Major (D): A fundamental open chord, often one of the first chords guitarists learn.
Em Minor (Em): Another common open chord, providing a melancholic feel.
G Major (G): A bright and versatile chord, essential in many songs.
Bm Minor (Bm): The Barre chord might be slightly more challenging for beginners, but crucial for the chorus.
A Major (A): A standard open chord, providing a strong and resolving sound.

These chords form the foundation of “Iris,” and mastering them will allow you to play through the entire song. Let’s look at how they fit into the song’s structure.

“Iris” Guitar Chord Chart with Lyrics

Here’s a breakdown of the song structure with the chords aligned to the lyrics. This iris guitar chord chart is designed to be easy to follow as you learn.

Intro: N.C. (No Chords – Guitar melody intro)

Verse 1: Strum 1

|D     Em    G   G|
And I'd give up forever to touch you
|Bm    A     G   G|
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
|D     Em    G   G|
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
|Bm    A     G   G|
And I don't want to go home right now

Verse 2: Strum 1

|D     Em    G   G|
And all I can taste is this moment
|Bm    A     G   G|
And all I can breathe is your life
|D     Em    G   G|
And sooner or later it's over
|Bm    A     G   G|
I just don't want to miss you tonight

Chorus: Strum 2

|Bm    A     G   G|
And I don't want the world to see me
|Bm    A     G   G|
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
|Bm    A     G   G|
When everything's made to be broken
|Bm    A     G   G|
I just want you to know who I am

Interlude: N.C. (No Chords – Instrumental break)

Verse 3: Strum 1

|D     Em    G   G|
And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
|Bm    A     G   G|
Or the moment of truth in your lies
|D     Em    G   G|
When everything feels like the movies
|Bm    A     G   G|
Yeah, you bleed just to know you're alive

Chorus: Strum 2

|Bm    A     G   G|
And I don't want the world to see me
|Bm    A     G   G|
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
|Bm    A     G   G|
When everything's made to be broken
|Bm    A     G   G|
I just want you to know who I am

Interlude: N.C. (No Chords – Instrumental break)

Bridge: Strum 3

Bm G Bm G Bm G

Guitar Solo: Bm G D G D G D Bm Bm G D Bm Bm (Instrumental Solo – Chords provided as guide)

Breakdown: N.C. (No Chords – Rhythmic break)

Chorus: Strum 2

|Bm    A     G   G|
And I don't want the world to see me
|Bm    A     G   G|
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
|Bm    A     G   G|
When everything's made to be broken
|Bm    A     G   G| 6/8 G
I just want you to know who I am
|Bm    A     G   G|
And I don't want the world to see me
|Bm    A     G   G|
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
|Bm    A     G   G|
When everything's made to be broken
|Bm    A     G   G|
I just want you to know who I am

Outro:

|Bm    A     G   G|
I just want you to know who I am
|Bm    A     G   G|
I just want you to know who I am
|Bm    A     G   G|
I just want you to know who I am

Outro: N.C. (No Chords - Fade out)

Strumming Patterns for “Iris” Guitar

The original provides three strumming patterns indicated as Strum 1, Strum 2, and Strum 3. Here’s a simplified breakdown for learning:

Strum 1 (Verse): A gentle and consistent down-down-up-down strum can work well. Focus on keeping a steady rhythm. You can also experiment with variations like down-down-mute-up-down to add a bit of percussive feel.
Strum 2 (Chorus): This section requires a more driving and emotional strum. Try a faster down-down-up-up-down-up pattern. Emphasize the down strums for a stronger sound.
Strum 3 (Bridge): For the bridge, a simpler down-up-down-up pattern, or even just down strums, can create a powerful and building intensity.

Remember, these are suggestions. Listening to the original recording of “Iris” and trying to emulate the strumming patterns you hear is the best way to get the feel right.

Tips for Playing “Iris” on Guitar

Start Slow: When learning, begin by practicing the chord changes slowly. Focus on clean transitions between chords before speeding up.
Smooth Chord Changes: Pay attention to transitioning smoothly between chords, especially between G and Bm. Practice these changes repeatedly.
Listen to the Song: Constantly listen to “Iris” while you practice. This will help you internalize the rhythm, timing, and feel of the song.
Use a Metronome: A metronome is a fantastic tool for developing consistent timing. Start at a slow tempo and gradually increase speed as you become more comfortable.
Practice the Barre Chord (Bm): If you’re new to barre chords, Bm might be challenging. Practice barring with your index finger and ensure all strings ring out clearly. There are many online resources and tutorials specifically for learning barre chords.
Experiment with Dynamics: Once you’re comfortable with the chords and strumming, try playing with dynamics. Play the verses softer and build intensity in the chorus, mirroring the emotional arc of the song.

Learning to play “Iris” on iris guitar is a rewarding experience. With consistent practice and attention to these chords, strumming patterns, and tips, you’ll be playing this beautiful song in no time. Keep practicing and enjoy the journey of learning guitar!