In this post I will teach you how to play Memories by Maroon 5 on guitar.
Memories is a great song which has only one chord progression and few picking patterns. Though the song sounds complex but trust me it is beginner friendly.
I will be breaking down the song into different parts and will explain each part thoroughly, so that it will be easy for you to understand.
So, let’s start of by checking out the song structure but before that make sure to clip your capo on the 4th fret.
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Memories Song Structure
As I have mentioned above that the song may sound little complex but it is not. It has only one chord progression that revolves around the entire song. The entire song is finger picked and has two picking patterns which is also easy and beginner friendly.
Now, that we know the song structure, let’s look at the chords of the song.
Memories Chords
The chords for the song are G – D – Em – Bm – C – G – C – D and all of them are basic open chords except the Bm bar chord.
I hope you are well familiar with these chords, if not then they are very easy to learn.
Now, let’s look at the two picking patterns
Memories Picking Patterns
The song has two picking patterns that we are going to use on the entire song.
In the first pattern you have to use your thumb to the pick the Low E string (bass note), your 1st finger to pick the D string and you have to use your 2nd and 3rd finger to pick G and B string at the same time.
In the second pattern you have to use your 1st finger to pick the D string ( bass note ) and you have to use your 2nd and 3rd finger to pick G and B string at the same time.
Now, you have to alternate this 2 picking pattern for the entire song. For example, you have to use the 1st picking pattern for G chord and 2nd picking pattern for D chord and so on.
Refer to the video below to learn the whole song step by step.
So, assuming that now you know the song structure, chords and the picking pattern of the song, let’s look at the full song with chords and lyrics.
Memories Chords with Lyrics
Capo on the 4th Fret
Intro
G – D – Em – Bm – C – G – C – D
Chorus
G Here’s to the ones D that we got
Em Cheers to the wish Bm you were here, but you’re not
‘Cause the C drinks bring back G all the memories
Of C everything we’ve D been through
G Toast to the ones D here today
Em Toast to the ones Bm that we lost on the way
‘Cause the C drinks bring back G all the memories
And the C memories bring D back, memories bring back you
Verse 1
There’s a G time that I re D member, when Em I did not know no Bm pain
When I be C lieved in for G ever, and every C thing would stay the D same
Now my G heart feel like De D cember when some Em body say your Bm name
‘Cause I C can’t reach out to G call you, but I C know I will one D day, yeah
Pre-Chorus
G Every D body hurts sometimes
Em Everybody hurts Bm someday, aye aye
C But every G thing gon’ be alright
C Go and raise a glass D and say, aye
Chorus
G Here’s to the ones D that we got
Em Cheers to the wish Bm you were here, but you’re not
‘Cause the C drinks bring back G all the memories
Of C everything we’ve D been through
G Toast to the ones D here today
Em Toast to the ones Bm that we lost on the way
‘Cause the C drinks bring back G all the memories
And the C memories bring D back, memories bring back G you
Post-Chorus
Doo D doo, doo doo, doo doo
Em Doo doo, Bm doo doo, doo doo, doo doo
C Doo doo, doo G doo, doo doo doo
C Memories bring D back, memories bring back you
Verse 2
There’s a G time that I re D member when I Em never felt so Bm lost
When I C felt all of the D hatred was too C powerful to D stop (ooh, yeah)
Now my G heart feel like an D ember and it’s Em lighting up the Bm dark
I’ll C carry these torches G for ya that you C know I’ll never D drop, yeah
Pre-Chorus
G Every D body hurts sometimes
Em Everybody hurts Bm someday, aye aye
C But every G thing gon’ be alright
C Go and raise a glass D and say, aye
Chorus
G Here’s to the ones D that we got
Em Cheers to the wish Bm you were here, but you’re not
‘Cause the C drinks bring back G all the memories
Of C everything we’ve D been through
G Toast to the ones D here today
Em Toast to the ones Bm that we lost on the way
‘Cause the C drinks bring back G all the memories
And the C memories bring D back, memories bring back G you
Post-Chorus
Doo D doo, doo doo, doo doo
Em Doo doo, Bm doo doo, doo doo, doo doo
C Doo doo, doo G doo, doo doo doo
C Memories bring D back, memories bring back G you
Outro
D Yeah, yeah, Em yeahBm
Yeah, yeah, yeah, C yeah, yeah, no, no G
C Memories bring D back, memories bring back you
Wrapping Up
I have explained all that you need to learn to play this song. I have also attached a youtube video in case you find everything confusing. Keep practicing and learning.
