Learn How to Play "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M. on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Everybody Hurts on the guitar. This is a fantastic song, especially if you're diving into fingerstyle guitar. It's built around some really accessible chords, with a few slightly trickier ones in the bridge section. We'll explore a simple fingerstyle approach, perfect for beginners, and then look at a more advanced version, just like the original recording. If you're new to fingerstyle, stick with the simpler pattern. If you're more advanced, have a go at the intro and the other more complex patterns, just like on the original record. It's a beautiful song with some different layers, so we'll take a look at how to add to the song if you have two guitars.

One unique aspect of Everybody Hurts is its 6/8 time signature, which gives the song its distinctive flowing feel. Think of it as having two main pulses per bar, each divided into three beats. So, it's "one-two-three, four-five-six." This creates that gentle, swaying rhythm that's so characteristic of the song.

Intro, Verse, and Chorus

The basic chord progression revolves around a few simple chords. The song starts with two bars of D, then moves to G, and repeats that sequence for the intro. In the verse, you'll play the D chord, then G, then D again, and then G. After that, move to a G with an F# bass note. Then comes the E minor chord.

For the chorus, you'll need E minor, then A, and then back to E minor. Remember to keep that 6/8 pulse in mind–it makes a big difference to how the song feels. So, even when you're just strumming, try to make sure that you're thinking "one-two-three, four-five-six."

The Bridge

The bridge is where things get interesting, with some different chords. The version that sounds closest to the original uses power chords. We'll start with an F# power chord, then go to a B power chord, and then back to the F#, and then another B. We'll follow with F# and B, then move up a fret to C. Then we'll go G, B, C, C, C, and then a G with a B bass, which goes to A or A minor, and then back to the verse.

Each chord is played once in the original recording and allowed to ring out. You can also use full barre chords, such as a regular F# chord or even F#7 if you are more advanced. You can also play F# to B minor, as it's a nice change because it's the same shape, just moved down. For the C, you can switch back to open chords. I like keeping the bridge different from the rest of the song, using those power chords.

Fingerstyle Patterns

We'll explore two main approaches to playing this song. For beginners, there's a simplified fingerpicking pattern that captures the song's essence while being easier to master. Once you're comfortable with that, we can move on to the more complex pattern that matches the original recording. The key is to start slow and build up your speed gradually.

Need some extra help? Check out these Fingerstyle lessons!

Extra Strumming Part

There's a strumming overdub part that you can add, featuring a little walk down. Start with the E minor chord, strum twice, then move to A. Then play a third fret on the thickest string, a second fret on the thickest string, and then back to the E minor. You can also play this part fingerstyle.

Wrapping Up

This is a fantastic song to learn, especially if you are new to fingerstyle guitar. I remember learning this when I was young and just enjoying the simple chords and the fingerstyle that sounds like the record. I didn't learn the bridge for ages because the chords seemed so difficult. But if you know your power chords, you can get it done! Play along with the original song as much as you can to keep in time. Watch the video, take your time, and remember to enjoy yourself as you learn. You've got this!

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