Capo 4th fret
[Intro]
Bm A Em7 Gmaj7
Bm A Em7 Gmaj7
[Verse 1]
Bm A Em7
Bar light open and I was hopin'
Gmaj7 Bm
I'd find a flame that burns just like you
A Em7
Neon shadows across the dance floor
Gmaj7 Bm
That spun you 'round just like you wanted me to
[Pre-Chorus]
A
"Whiskey shot, whiskey shot"
Em7
"Get me drunk, take me home"
Gmaj7
That's what you were tellin' me now
Bm A
Morning came, I woke up
Em7
Now you're gone for good and I'm losin' my sleep
[Chorus]
Bm A
You left me hangin' on by a thread of them blue jeans
Em7 Gmaj7
Baby, now I'm wonderin' where it all went wrong
Bm A
Got me hangin' on to some Jack and some Jim Beam
Em7 Gmaj7
Tryin' hard as hell just to get you gone
Bm A
But it's takin' too long for this heartachе to give up
Em7 Gmaj7
Now I can't get up off of this old bar stool
Bm A
You left mе hangin' on by a thread of them blue jeans
Em7 Gmaj7
Baby, now I'm wonderin' where it all went wrong
Bm A Em7 Gmaj7
You got me hangin' on, on
Bm A Em7
Got me hangin' on
[Verse 2]
Gmaj7 Bm
Girl, I can't take any more
A
No, I can't take that goodbye
Em7
Can't pick my heart off the floor
Gmaj7
'Cause you got me some kind of high
Bm A
I never fell but I liked it, didn't try to fight it
Em7 Gmaj7 Bm
How's I supposed to know the next day I'd feel like dyin'
[Pre-Chorus]
A
Whiskey shot, whiskey shot
Em7
Get me drunk, take me home
Gmaj7
I wish you were tellin' me now
Bm A
In my head, I see you in my bed
Em7
But I know that it's all just a dream
[Chorus]
Bm A
You left me hangin' on by a thread of them blue jeans
Em7 Gmaj7
Baby, now I'm wonderin' where it all went wrong
Bm A
Got me hangin' on to some Jack and some Jim Beam
Em7 Gmaj7
Tryin' hard as hell just to get you gone
Bm A
But it's takin' too long for this heartachе to give up
Em7 Gmaj7
Now I can't get up off of this old bar stool
Bm A
You left mе hangin' on by a thread of them blue jeans
Em7 Gmaj7
Baby, now I'm wonderin' where it all went wrong
Bm A Em7 Gmaj7
You got me hangin' on, on
Bm A Em7 Gmaj7
Got me hangin' on
[Out-Chorus]
Bm A
You left me hangin' on by a thread of them blue jeans
Em7 Gmaj7
Baby, now I'm wonderin' where it all went wrong
Bm A
Got me hangin' on to some Jack and some Jim Beam
Em7 Gmaj7
Tryin' hard as hell just to get you gone
Bm A
But it's takin' too long for this heartachе to give up
Em7 Gmaj7
Now I can't get up off of this old bar stool
Bm A
You left mе hangin' on by a thread of them blue jeans
Em7 Gmaj7
Baby, now I'm wonderin' where it all went wrong
Bm A Em7 Gmaj7
You got me hangin' on, on
Bm A Em7 Gmaj7
Got me hangin' on
How to play "Hangin' On" by Ernest on guitar
This heartfelt ballad uses a capo on the 4th fret, featuring a blend of
minor and major7 chords that create a melancholic yet smooth sound.
Chords used: Bm, A, Em7, Gmaj7
Playing Style:
- The song begins with a sequence of Bm, A, Em7, and Gmaj7 played in a
flowing, arpeggiated pattern, allowing each chord to resonate. This
approach suits the reflective mood of the song.
- Strum gently for the verses and pre-chorus, keeping the focus on the
lyrical storytelling. In the chorus, you might increase the strumming
intensity slightly to drive the emotional punch of the lyrics.
Common Mistakes:
- Not allowing the Gmaj7 chord to fully ring out can dampen its
harmonic effect. Make sure each note in the chord is clear.
- Losing the rhythm during the switch from the Bm to A, as these chords
anchor the song's structure. Practice this transition to ensure smooth
execution.
Transitions:
- The transition from the verse into the chorus is crucial, as it
shifts from a storytelling mode to a more expressive, emotional
outpouring. Practice moving from the narrative delivery of the verse
to the emotional crescendo of the chorus.
Lyrics meaning:
"Hangin' On" depicts the story of someone clinging to the remnants of a
relationship symbolized by "a thread of them blue jeans." The song
explores themes of longing and the difficulty of moving on from a past
love, expressed through the imagery of late-night bar scenes and
unresolved feelings.
Remember:
- Ensure your guitar's tone is warm and clean, as this complements the
emotional depth of the song.
- Connect with the song's emotional landscape through your playing to
convey the nuances of the heartache and longing depicted in the lyrics.
