Hurt | TAB
The chords contain a modal interchange as we move from the key of G to the key of C. This is cleverly disguised by the D chord in the verse first being a sus2.
Here are Hurt’s verse chords using TAB.
As you can see, we play Am – C – Dsus2. This could be VI – I – II in the key of C, or II – IV – V in the key of G. So that Am could be either Aeolian or Dorian.
Once we repeat it, it’s actually a D, not a Dm, meaning we are in the key of G, and Am is Dorian.
Let’s now look at the chorus chords of Hurt, here they are using TAB:
Now we play Am7 – Fadd9 – C – G, meaning we must be in the key of C and the chord progression is VI – IV – I – V.
What has happened here is that we have experienced a modal interchange. A verse in A Dorian, a chorus in A Aeolian.
On a final note, the last Am which takes us to the instrumental section is different rhythmically.
These tiny details (Dsus2, then a D chord in the verse, and the different rhythm of the first Am chord) are what create enough variation to make us want to hear Hurt’s chords over and over.
Ask yourself if you do this in the songs and guitar parts you write, or perhaps more likely, you do it too much. Studying other people’s songs like this is what will make you improve.
In general, great songs only have a few things that stand out, bad songs tend to do too much.
Hurt TAB | Related Pages
Hurt | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Hurt by Johnny Cash using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, TAB, and the original recording.
| C Dsus2 | Am |
I hurt myself today…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
- Everybody Hurts chords by R.E.M.
- Famous Blue Raincoat chords by Leonard Cohen
- Hallelujah chords by Jeff Buckley and Leonard Cohen
- Mad World chords by Tears For Fears
- Redemption Song chords by Bob Marley
Johnny Cash tunes
Johnny Cash’s recording career started in 1955 on Sun Records (the same label as Elvis) and ended in 2002 with a masterpiece produced by Rick Rubin.
His best tunes include Ring of Fire, A Boy Named Sue, Hurt, Man in Black, Folsom Prison Blues, Get Rhythm, Personal Jesus, and I Walk The Line.
Johnny Cash on the web
About me | Dan Lundholm
This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm features TAB and covers Hurt. Discover more about him and how you can learn guitar with Spytunes.
Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.