“You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift is a timeless pop-country hit, beloved for its catchy melody and relatable lyrics. For guitar players, it’s also a fantastic song to learn, thanks to its relatively simple chord progression and strumming pattern. This guide will provide you with everything you need to play “You Belong With Me” on your guitar, focusing on easy-to-follow guitar notes and chord diagrams to get you strumming along in no time. Whether you’re a beginner guitarist or just looking to add this classic to your repertoire, you’ve come to the right place.
Easy Chords for “You Belong With Me”
One of the reasons “You Belong With Me” is so popular among beginner guitarists is its use of just four basic chords: D, A, Em, and G. These are foundational chords that are essential for any aspiring guitar player to learn. Let’s break down each chord with a simple guide and diagram.
D Chord
The D major chord is bright and cheerful, and it’s a cornerstone of many popular songs.
- Fingering:
- Index finger (1): 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string)
- Middle finger (2): 2nd fret of the E string (1st string)
- Ring finger (3): 3rd fret of the B string (2nd string)
- Strumming: Strum strings D, G, B, E (strings 4, 3, 2, 1) – avoid the low E and A strings.
Alt text: D guitar chord diagram for You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift showing finger positions on the fretboard.
A Chord
The A major chord is another common and versatile chord, adding a slightly more grounded feel compared to the D chord.
- Fingering:
- Index finger (1): 2nd fret of the D string (4th string)
- Middle finger (2): 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string)
- Ring finger (3): 2nd fret of the B string (2nd string)
- Strumming: Strum strings A, D, G, B, E (strings 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) – avoid the low E string.
Alt text: A guitar chord diagram for You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift illustrating finger placement for the A major chord.
Em Chord
The Em (E minor) chord brings a touch of melancholy or introspection, providing a nice contrast to the major chords.
- Fingering:
- Middle finger (2): 2nd fret of the A string (5th string)
- Ring finger (3): 2nd fret of the D string (4th string)
- Strumming: Strum all six strings (E, A, D, G, B, E).
Alt text: Em guitar chord diagram for You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift demonstrating the finger arrangement for E minor.
G Chord
The G major chord is warm and full-sounding, often used as a transition or resolution chord in songs.
- Fingering:
- Index finger (1): 2nd fret of the A string (5th string)
- Middle finger (2): 3rd fret of the low E string (6th string)
- Ring finger (3): 3rd fret of the E string (1st string)
- Strumming: Strum all six strings (E, A, D, G, B, E).
Alt text: G guitar chord diagram for You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift showing how to form the G major chord on guitar.
Strumming Pattern
The suggested strumming pattern for “You Belong With Me” is: D D U U D U (Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up).
This is a common and versatile strumming pattern that works well for many pop and country songs. Practice this pattern slowly at first, focusing on keeping a consistent rhythm. Once you’re comfortable, gradually increase the speed. Listening to the song while practicing will help you internalize the timing and feel.
“You Belong With Me” Song Structure and Chords
Here’s the chord progression for “You Belong With Me” broken down by song section. The numbers in parentheses indicate the beats per chord.
Intro: / D – – – / – – – – / – – – – / – – – – /
D (2) A (2)
You’re on the phone with your girlfriend, she’s upset
Em (2)
She’s going off about something that you said
G (2)
‘Cause she doesn’t get your humor like I do
D (2) A (2)
I’m in the room it’s a typical Tuesday night
Em (2)
I’m listening to the kind of music she doesn’t like
G (2)
And she’ll never know your story like I do
Em G
But she wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts
D A
She’s cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers
Em G
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
A (2) (hold)
That what you’re looking for has been here the whole time
Chorus:
D (2)
If you could see that I’m the one who understands you
A (2) Em (2)
Been here all along, so why can’t you see?
G (2 hold) D (2)
You belong with me, you belong with me
D (2) A (2)
Walkin’ the streets with you and your worn out jeans
Em (2)
I can’t help thinking this is how it ought to be
G (2)
Laughing on a park bench, thinking to myself Hey isn’t this easy
D (2) A (2)
And you’ve got a smile that could light up this whole town
Em (2)
I haven’t seen it in a while since she brought you down
You say you’re fine, I know you better then that
G (2)
Hey whatcha doing with a girl like that
Em G
She wears high heels, I wear sneakers
D A
She’s cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers
Em G
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
A (2) (hold)
That what you’re looking for has been here the whole time
Chorus:
D (2)
If you could see that I’m the one who understands you
A (2) Em (2)
Been here all along, so why can’t you see?
G (2)
You belong with me
D (2)
Standing by and waiting at your back door
A (2) Em (2)
All this time how could you not know, baby
G (2)
You belong with me, you belong with me
Solo:
/ D – – – / – – – – / A – – – / – – – – / Em – – – / – – – – / G – – – / – – – – /
Bridge:
Em G
Oh I remember you drivin’ to my house In the middle of the night
D A
I’m the one who makes you laugh When you know you’re about to cry
Em G
And I know your favorite songs And you tell me about your dreams
G A (2) (hold)
Think I know where you belong Think I know it’s with me
D (2)
Can’t you see that I’m the one who understands you
A (2) Em (2) (hold)
Been here all along, so why can’t you see?
G (2)
You belong with me
Chorus:
D (2)
Standing by and waiting at your back door
A (2) Em (2)
All this time how could you not know, baby
G (2) D (2)
You belong with me, you belong with me
A (2)
You belong with me
Em (2)
Have you ever thought just maybe
G (2) D (hold & end)
You belong with me, you belong with me
Tips for Learning “You Belong With Me” on Guitar
- Start Slow: Don’t rush. Focus on clean chord changes and consistent strumming at a slower tempo.
- Practice Chord Transitions: Smooth transitions between D, A, Em, and G are key. Practice switching between these chords repeatedly.
- Listen to the Song: Play along with the original track to get a feel for the rhythm and timing.
- Use a Capo: The original song uses a capo on the 4th fret. While this guide is written as if you are playing without a capo (open chords), using a capo at the 4th fret will match Taylor Swift’s key and can make singing along easier if you prefer.
- Break it Down: Learn the song in sections (verse, chorus, etc.). Once you’ve mastered each section, put them all together.
Conclusion
“You Belong With Me” is an excellent choice for guitarists looking for a fun and rewarding song to learn. With its simple chords and catchy melody, you’ll be playing along in no time. Grab your guitar, practice these “You Belong With Me Guitar Notes,” and enjoy bringing this Taylor Swift classic to life! Happy strumming!
