Hello! Below you'll find my "Everybody Hurts" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This beautiful and touching song by R.E.M. has very easy chords. The recording is based around an arpeggio on the electric guitar, but it translates well to piano.
Enjoy!
Everybody Hurts Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Everybody Hurts:
Everybody Hurts Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| D | D | G | G | X2
| D | D | G | G | X2
[Verse 1]
D G
When your day is long
D G
And the night, the night is yours alone
D G
When you're sure you've had enough
D G
When you're sure you've had enough
D G G/F#
Of this life, hang on
[Chorus]
Em A Em A
Don't let yourself go, 'cause everybody cries
Em A
And everybody hurts
[Verse 2]
D G D G
Sometimes, sometimes everything is wrong,
D
Now it's time to sing along
G D
When your day is night alone (hold on, hold on)
G
If you feel like letting go (hold on)
D G D
If you think you've had too much of this life
G D
When your day is night alone (hold on, hold on)
G
If you feel like letting go (hold on)
D G D
If you think you've had too much of this life
G G/F#
Well, hang on
[Chorus]
Em A
'Cause everybody hurts
Em A
Take comfort in your friends
Em A
Everybody hurts
Em A
Everybody hurts
[Bridge]
F# Bm F# Bm
Don't throw your hand, oh no
F# Bm
Don't throw your hand
C G
When you feel like you're alone
C G
When you feel like you're alone
C C/B Am
No, no, no, you're not alone
[Verse 3]
D G D
If you're on your own, in this life
D G D
If you're on your own, in this life
G
The days and nights are long
D G
When you think you've had too much
D G
When you think you've had too much
D G G/F#
Of this life, to hang on
[Chorus]
Em A Em A
Well, everybody hurts, sometimes everybody cries
Em. A
Everybody hurts... (pause)
[Verse 4/Outro]
D G D G
Sometimes everybody hurts sometimes
D G D G
So hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
D G D G
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
D G D G
Everybody hurts No, no, no, no, no...
D G
You are not alone
Continue on D and G and fade, or end on D
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Everybody Hurts Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Everybody Hurts" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Everybody Hurts" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
