Eleanor Rigby Guitar Chords: Learn to Play The Beatles Classic

“Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles is a timeless classic, renowned for its poignant lyrics and haunting melody. For guitar players, it’s also a fantastic song to learn, offering a beautiful and relatively accessible chord progression. This guide will provide you with everything you need to play “Eleanor Rigby” on guitar, from the basic Eleanor Rigby Guitar Chords to playing tips and understanding the song structure.

The song primarily revolves around just two chords: C Major (C) and E minor (Em). This simplicity is part of its genius, allowing the focus to remain on the powerful storytelling within the lyrics and the melancholic atmosphere of the music. Let’s break down the chord structure and then delve into how to play it.

The main chord progression for the verses and choruses is a simple alternation between C and Em:

Verse 1 & 2:

C             Em
Ah, look at all the lonely people
C             Em
Ah, look at all the lonely people

Chorus:

Em             Em
All the lonely people
C             Em
Where do they all come from?
Em             Em
All the lonely people
C             Em
Where do they all belong?

As you can see, the core of “Eleanor Rigby” is built upon this repeating C – Em pattern. This makes it an excellent song for beginner guitarists to learn as it focuses on chord changes and rhythm rather than complex chord shapes.

Let’s look at the chord diagrams for C Major and E minor:

C Major (C)

    x
  3 o
1   o
2   o
o   o
x

• Index finger on the 2nd string (B string) at the 1st fret.
• Middle finger on the 4th string (D string) at the 2nd fret.
• Ring finger on the 5th string (A string) at the 3rd fret.
• Strum strings 5-1 (G-B-e), avoid the 6th string (low E).

E minor (Em)

o
2 o
2 o
o o
o o
o

• Middle finger on the 5th string (A string) at the 2nd fret.
• Ring finger on the 4th string (D string) at the 2nd fret.
• Strum all six strings.

Once you are comfortable with these Eleanor Rigby guitar chords, you can start practicing playing along with the song. The strumming pattern is relatively straightforward, often a simple down-down-up-down-up pattern in 4/4 time. However, listening to the original recording is crucial to capture the feel and rhythm accurately.

Alt text: Eleanor Rigby guitar chords diagram showing C Major and E minor on a fretboard chart, useful for guitar players learning the song.

Song Structure and Chord Breakdown:

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the song structure with the Eleanor Rigby guitar chords indicated:

(Intro)

C Em Em C Em Em (Instrumental – often played with strings in the original, but you can play the chords on guitar)

(Verse 1)

C Em Em
Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the
C Em Em
church where a wedding has been—Lives in a dream

(Verse 2)

C Em Em
Waits at the window, wearing the face that she
C C
keeps in a jar by the door—Who is it for?

(Chorus)

Em Em
All the lonely people
C Em
Where do they all come from?
Em Em
All the lonely people
C Em
Where do they all belong?

(Verse 3)

C C Em
Father McKenzie writing the words of a
Em C C
sermon that no one will hear–No one comes near.
Em Em
Look at him working. Darning his socks in the
Em C C
night when there’s nobody there–What does he care?

(Chorus)

Em Em
All the lonely people
C Em
Where do they all come from?
Em Em
All the lonely people
C Em
Where do they all belong?

(Instrumental Break)

C Em Em C Em Em

(Verse 4)

Em Em
Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was
Em C C
buried along with her name–Nobody came
Em Em
Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his
Em C C
hands as he walks from the grave–No one was saved

(Chorus)

Em Em
All the lonely people
C Em
Where do they all come from?
Em Em
All the lonely people
C Em (hold)
Where do they all belong?

(Outro)

C Em Em C Em Em (Fade out)

Tips for Playing “Eleanor Rigby” on Guitar:

• Start Slow: Practice the C and Em chord changes slowly at first. Focus on clean transitions between chords.
• Listen to the Song: Constantly listen to the original Beatles recording to internalize the rhythm and feel of the song.
• Strumming Pattern: Experiment with different strumming patterns to find what sounds best to you. A simple down-down-up-down-up pattern works well.
• Fingerpicking: While strumming is common, you can also try fingerpicking the chords for a softer, more nuanced sound.
• Dynamics: Pay attention to the dynamics of the song. The verses are generally quieter, and the chorus can be slightly louder.
• Sing Along: Singing along while playing helps with rhythm and timing, and also connects you more deeply with the song.

“Eleanor Rigby” is more than just a song with simple guitar chords. It’s a powerful piece of music that resonates with listeners due to its universal themes of loneliness and isolation. By learning to play it on guitar, you not only expand your musical repertoire but also connect with a song that has touched generations. So grab your guitar, learn these Eleanor Rigby guitar chords, and start playing this iconic Beatles classic today!