Rock, Pop

Slow Dancing in a Burning Room Chords

John Mayer Intermediate Key of C# 5 Chords 3 min read

C#mtap to play

Atap to play

Etap to play

Btap to play

G#mtap to play

Key

C# Major

Difficulty

Intermediate

Capo

None

Chords

C#m · A · E · B · G#m

John Mayer’s poignant ballad about a relationship’s inevitable end. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C#.

Soulful Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret and play the G, Cadd9, and D shapes listed to achieve the correct key of C#. Focus on dynamics, playing softly during verses and building intensity in the choruses.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Cadd9

It’s not a silly little moment

D G

It’s not the storm before the calm

Cadd9 D

This is the deep and dying breath of

G Cadd9 D

This love that we’ve been working on

G Cadd9

Can’t seem to hold you like I want to

D G

So I can feel you in my arms

Cadd9 D

Nobody’s gonna come and save you

G Cadd9 D

We pulled too many false alarms

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Verse 2

G Cadd9

I was the one you always dreamed of

D G

You were the one I tried to draw

Cadd9 D

How dare you say it’s nothing to me?

G Cadd9 D

Baby, you’re the only light I ever saw

G Cadd9

I’ll make the most of all the sadness

D G

You’ll be a bitch because you can

Cadd9 D

You try to hit me just to hurt me

G Cadd9

So you leave me feeling dirty

D

‘Cause you can’t understand

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Bridge

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Outro

G Cadd9

Burnin’ room…

D G

Burnin’ room…

G Cadd9 D

Slow dancing in a burning room…

G Cadd9 D G

My dear, we’re slow dancing in a burning room…

Practice tip: Master the G to Cadd9 transition, as it’s the core of the song. Practice the bridge chord changes (D, Em, C) slowly to a metronome before integrating them with the strum pattern. Listen to the original recording to capture the expressive, laid-back feel of the guitar part.

C#mtap to play

Atap to play

Etap to play

Btap to play

G#mtap to play

Key

C# Major

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

C#m · A · E · B · G#m

John Mayer’s poignant ballad about a relationship’s inevitable end. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C#.

Soulful Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret and play the G, Cadd9, and D shapes listed to achieve the correct key of C#. Focus on dynamics, playing softly during verses and building intensity in the choruses.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Cadd9

It’s not a silly little moment

D G

It’s not the storm before the calm

Cadd9 D

This is the deep and dying breath of

G Cadd9 D

This love that we’ve been working on

G Cadd9

Can’t seem to hold you like I want to

D G

So I can feel you in my arms

Cadd9 D

Nobody’s gonna come and save you

G Cadd9 D

We pulled too many false alarms

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Verse 2

G Cadd9

I was the one you always dreamed of

D G

You were the one I tried to draw

Cadd9 D

How dare you say it’s nothing to me?

G Cadd9 D

Baby, you’re the only light I ever saw

G Cadd9

I’ll make the most of all the sadness

D G

You’ll be a bitch because you can

Cadd9 D

You try to hit me just to hurt me

G Cadd9

So you leave me feeling dirty

D

‘Cause you can’t understand

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Bridge

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Outro

G Cadd9

Burnin’ room…

D G

Burnin’ room…

G Cadd9 D

Slow dancing in a burning room…

G Cadd9 D G

My dear, we’re slow dancing in a burning room…

Practice tip: Master the G to Cadd9 transition, as it’s the core of the song. Practice the bridge chord changes (D, Em, C) slowly to a metronome before integrating them with the strum pattern. Listen to the original recording to capture the expressive, laid-back feel of the guitar part.

C#mtap to play

Atap to play

Etap to play

Btap to play

G#mtap to play

Key

C# Major

Difficulty

Intermediate

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

C#m · A · E · B · G#m

John Mayer’s poignant ballad about a relationship’s inevitable end. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C#.

Soulful Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret and play the G, Cadd9, and D shapes listed to achieve the correct key of C#. Focus on dynamics, playing softly during verses and building intensity in the choruses.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Cadd9

It’s not a silly little moment

D G

It’s not the storm before the calm

Cadd9 D

This is the deep and dying breath of

G Cadd9 D

This love that we’ve been working on

G Cadd9

Can’t seem to hold you like I want to

D G

So I can feel you in my arms

Cadd9 D

Nobody’s gonna come and save you

G Cadd9 D

We pulled too many false alarms

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Verse 2

G Cadd9

I was the one you always dreamed of

D G

You were the one I tried to draw

Cadd9 D

How dare you say it’s nothing to me?

G Cadd9 D

Baby, you’re the only light I ever saw

G Cadd9

I’ll make the most of all the sadness

D G

You’ll be a bitch because you can

Cadd9 D

You try to hit me just to hurt me

G Cadd9

So you leave me feeling dirty

D

‘Cause you can’t understand

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Bridge

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Outro

G Cadd9

Burnin’ room…

D G

Burnin’ room…

G Cadd9 D

Slow dancing in a burning room…

G Cadd9 D G

My dear, we’re slow dancing in a burning room…

Practice tip: Master the G to Cadd9 transition, as it’s the core of the song. Practice the bridge chord changes (D, Em, C) slowly to a metronome before integrating them with the strum pattern. Listen to the original recording to capture the expressive, laid-back feel of the guitar part.

C#mtap to play

Atap to play

Etap to play

Btap to play

G#mtap to play

Key

C# Major

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

C#m · A · E · B · G#m

John Mayer’s poignant ballad about a relationship’s inevitable end. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C#.

Soulful Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret and play the G, Cadd9, and D shapes listed to achieve the correct key of C#. Focus on dynamics, playing softly during verses and building intensity in the choruses.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Cadd9

It’s not a silly little moment

D G

It’s not the storm before the calm

Cadd9 D

This is the deep and dying breath of

G Cadd9 D

This love that we’ve been working on

G Cadd9

Can’t seem to hold you like I want to

D G

So I can feel you in my arms

Cadd9 D

Nobody’s gonna come and save you

G Cadd9 D

We pulled too many false alarms

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Verse 2

G Cadd9

I was the one you always dreamed of

D G

You were the one I tried to draw

Cadd9 D

How dare you say it’s nothing to me?

G Cadd9 D

Baby, you’re the only light I ever saw

G Cadd9

I’ll make the most of all the sadness

D G

You’ll be a bitch because you can

Cadd9 D

You try to hit me just to hurt me

G Cadd9

So you leave me feeling dirty

D

‘Cause you can’t understand

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Bridge

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Outro

G Cadd9

Burnin’ room…

D G

Burnin’ room…

G Cadd9 D

Slow dancing in a burning room…

G Cadd9 D G

My dear, we’re slow dancing in a burning room…

Practice tip: Master the G to Cadd9 transition, as it’s the core of the song. Practice the bridge chord changes (D, Em, C) slowly to a metronome before integrating them with the strum pattern. Listen to the original recording to capture the expressive, laid-back feel of the guitar part.

C#mtap to play

Atap to play

Etap to play

Btap to play

G#mtap to play

Key

C# Major

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

C#m · A · E · B · G#m

John Mayer’s poignant ballad about a relationship’s inevitable end. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C#.

Soulful Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret and play the G, Cadd9, and D shapes listed to achieve the correct key of C#. Focus on dynamics, playing softly during verses and building intensity in the choruses.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Cadd9

It’s not a silly little moment

D G

It’s not the storm before the calm

Cadd9 D

This is the deep and dying breath of

G Cadd9 D

This love that we’ve been working on

G Cadd9

Can’t seem to hold you like I want to

D G

So I can feel you in my arms

Cadd9 D

Nobody’s gonna come and save you

G Cadd9 D

We pulled too many false alarms

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Verse 2

G Cadd9

I was the one you always dreamed of

D G

You were the one I tried to draw

Cadd9 D

How dare you say it’s nothing to me?

G Cadd9 D

Baby, you’re the only light I ever saw

G Cadd9

I’ll make the most of all the sadness

D G

You’ll be a bitch because you can

Cadd9 D

You try to hit me just to hurt me

G Cadd9

So you leave me feeling dirty

D

‘Cause you can’t understand

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Bridge

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Outro

G Cadd9

Burnin’ room…

D G

Burnin’ room…

G Cadd9 D

Slow dancing in a burning room…

G Cadd9 D G

My dear, we’re slow dancing in a burning room…

Practice tip: Master the G to Cadd9 transition, as it’s the core of the song. Practice the bridge chord changes (D, Em, C) slowly to a metronome before integrating them with the strum pattern. Listen to the original recording to capture the expressive, laid-back feel of the guitar part.

C#mtap to play

Atap to play

Etap to play

Btap to play

G#mtap to play

Key

C# Major

Difficulty

Intermediate

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

C#m · A · E · B · G#m

John Mayer’s poignant ballad about a relationship’s inevitable end. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C#.

Soulful Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret and play the G, Cadd9, and D shapes listed to achieve the correct key of C#. Focus on dynamics, playing softly during verses and building intensity in the choruses.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Cadd9

It’s not a silly little moment

D G

It’s not the storm before the calm

Cadd9 D

This is the deep and dying breath of

G Cadd9 D

This love that we’ve been working on

G Cadd9

Can’t seem to hold you like I want to

D G

So I can feel you in my arms

Cadd9 D

Nobody’s gonna come and save you

G Cadd9 D

We pulled too many false alarms

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Verse 2

G Cadd9

I was the one you always dreamed of

D G

You were the one I tried to draw

Cadd9 D

How dare you say it’s nothing to me?

G Cadd9 D

Baby, you’re the only light I ever saw

G Cadd9

I’ll make the most of all the sadness

D G

You’ll be a bitch because you can

Cadd9 D

You try to hit me just to hurt me

G Cadd9

So you leave me feeling dirty

D

‘Cause you can’t understand

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Bridge

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

D Em C

Don’t you think we oughta know by now?

D Em C

Don’t you think we shoulda learned somehow?

Chorus

G

We’re going down

Cadd9

And you can see it too

D

We’re going down

G

And you know that we’re doomed

My dear

Cadd9 D G

We’re slow dancing in a burning room

Outro

G Cadd9

Burnin’ room…

D G

Burnin’ room…

G Cadd9 D

Slow dancing in a burning room…

G Cadd9 D G

My dear, we’re slow dancing in a burning room…

Practice tip: Master the G to Cadd9 transition, as it’s the core of the song. Practice the bridge chord changes (D, Em, C) slowly to a metronome before integrating them with the strum pattern. Listen to the original recording to capture the expressive, laid-back feel of the guitar part.