“Lips of an Angel” by Hinder is a power ballad that resonates with many guitar players, thanks to its emotional lyrics and relatively accessible chord progression. If you’re looking to learn how to play this iconic song on your guitar, you’ve come to the right place. This guide provides you with the accurate guitar chords for “Lips of an Angel”, enabling you to strum along to this heartfelt track.
Standard Tuning and Essential Chords
To play “Lips of an Angel”, you’ll need to tune your guitar to standard tuning (E A D G B e). The song primarily uses a set of common chords, making it a great choice for beginner and intermediate guitarists alike. The main chords you’ll encounter are:
- A
- Bm
- G
- D
- C
- Em
These chords form the foundation of the entire song, creating its signature melancholic and yearning sound.
Verse 1: Chords and Lyrics Breakdown
The song opens with a memorable intro and smoothly transitions into the first verse. Here’s the chord progression for Verse 1, aligned with the lyrics:
Intro: A Bm G D
Verse 1
A Bm
Honey, why you calling me
G D
So late?
A Bm G D
It’s kinda hard to talk right now
A Bm
Honey, why you crying,
G D
Is every thing okay?
A Bm G
I gotta whisper
D
‘Cause I can’t be too loud
As you can see, the verse utilizes a repeating A – Bm – G – D chord pattern, creating a simple yet effective harmonic backdrop for the opening lines.
Chorus: Building Intensity with Chords
The chorus of “Lips of an Angel” elevates the emotional intensity. The chord progression shifts slightly, adding a touch of variation while maintaining the song’s core feel:
.......D A
Well, my girl’s in
Bm G
The next room
.......D A
Sometimes I wish
Bm G
She was you
D A
I guess we never really
Bm G
Moved on …
It’s really good to
D A
Hear your voice
C G
Saying my name
D A
It sounds so sweet
C G
Coming from the
D A
Lips of an angel
C G
Hearing those words,
The chorus introduces the C chord, adding a subtle change to the established progression and preparing for the emotional peak.
Verse 2: Consistent Chord Structure
Verse 2 follows the same chord progression as Verse 1, ensuring a familiar and comfortable playing experience as you progress through the song:
Verse 2
A Bm G D
It’s funny that you’re calling me tonight
A Bm G D
And, yes, I’ve dreamt of you too
A Bm G D
And does he know you’re talking to me?
A Bm G D
Will it start a fight?
A Bm G
No, I don’t think
D
She has a clue
This repetition makes it easier to memorize the chords and focus on singing along or adding your own guitar embellishments.
Bridge (Music Section): Emotional Climax
The “Music” section, or bridge, provides a powerful build-up and emotional climax. The chord progression in this part mirrors the chorus, reinforcing the song’s central theme:
It’s really good to
D A
Hear your voice
C G
Saying my name
D A
It sounds so sweet
C G
Coming from the
D A
Lips of an angel
C G
Hearing those words,
.......Bm
And I never wanna say
........A
Goodbye
Em
But, girl, you make it
G Bm
Hard to be faithful
A G
With the lips of an angel
Notice the introduction of the Em chord in the bridge, adding a further layer of emotion before returning to the familiar progressions.
Outro: Fading Out with Familiar Chords
The outro brings the song to a gentle close, revisiting the opening lines and fading out with the foundational chord progression:
Outro:
.......Bm
Never wanna say
........A
Goodbye
Em
But, girl, you make it
G Bm A G
Hard to be faithful
A Bm
With the lips of an angel
A Bm
Honey, why you calling me
G D
So late?
The outro effectively circles back to the beginning, providing a sense of closure.
Tips for Playing “Lips of an Angel”
- Strumming Pattern: A common strumming pattern for this song is Down-Down-Up-Down-Up. Experiment to find what feels and sounds best to you.
- Fingerpicking: While primarily a strummed song, you can explore fingerpicking patterns for a softer, more intimate feel, especially during the verses.
- Dynamics: Pay attention to the dynamics of the song. The verses are generally softer, while the chorus and bridge build in intensity. Use your strumming and picking hand to control the volume and emotion.
- Practice: Start slowly and focus on clean chord changes. Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the progression.
“Lips of an Angel” is a fantastic song to add to your guitar repertoire. With these chords and practice, you’ll be playing this Hinder hit in no time. Enjoy playing!