Folk

The Subway Chords

Zach Bryan Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

The Subway Chords – Guitar

Zach Bryan’s introspective folk song with urban imagery and raw honesty. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum quiet and intimate. This is a storytelling song with a contemplative mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

Riding on the subway through the city late at night

C D

Strangers sitting next to me beneath the fluorescent light

G Em

Everyone’s got somewhere that they’re trying hard to be

C D

But the only place I’m headed is further from me

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Verse 2

G Em

Graffiti on the windows tells a story of its own

C D

Every scratch and marking says somebody was alone

G Em

The doors keep opening and closing just like days

C D

People getting on and off in a thousand different ways

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Bridge

Am Em

Underground the city hums

C G

A melody for everyone

Am Em

In the dark we’re all the same

C D

Passengers without a name

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Practice tip: Try fingerpicking this one instead of strumming for a more intimate feel. The G-Em-C-D progression is perfect for beginning fingerpickers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Subway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "The Subway" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Subway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Subway"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2023.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

G · C · D · Em

The Subway Chords – Ukulele

Zach Bryan’s introspective folk song with urban imagery and raw honesty. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum quiet and intimate. This is a storytelling song with a contemplative mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

Riding on the subway through the city late at night

C D

Strangers sitting next to me beneath the fluorescent light

G Em

Everyone’s got somewhere that they’re trying hard to be

C D

But the only place I’m headed is further from me

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Verse 2

G Em

Graffiti on the windows tells a story of its own

C D

Every scratch and marking says somebody was alone

G Em

The doors keep opening and closing just like days

C D

People getting on and off in a thousand different ways

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Bridge

Am Em

Underground the city hums

C G

A melody for everyone

Am Em

In the dark we’re all the same

C D

Passengers without a name

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Practice tip: Try fingerpicking this one instead of strumming for a more intimate feel. The G-Em-C-D progression is perfect for beginning fingerpickers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Subway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "The Subway" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Subway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Subway"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2023.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

G · C · D · Em

The Subway Chords – Piano

Zach Bryan’s introspective folk song with urban imagery and raw honesty. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum quiet and intimate. This is a storytelling song with a contemplative mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

Riding on the subway through the city late at night

C D

Strangers sitting next to me beneath the fluorescent light

G Em

Everyone’s got somewhere that they’re trying hard to be

C D

But the only place I’m headed is further from me

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Verse 2

G Em

Graffiti on the windows tells a story of its own

C D

Every scratch and marking says somebody was alone

G Em

The doors keep opening and closing just like days

C D

People getting on and off in a thousand different ways

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Bridge

Am Em

Underground the city hums

C G

A melody for everyone

Am Em

In the dark we’re all the same

C D

Passengers without a name

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Practice tip: Try fingerpicking this one instead of strumming for a more intimate feel. The G-Em-C-D progression is perfect for beginning fingerpickers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Subway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "The Subway" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Subway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Subway"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2023.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

G · C · D · Em

The Subway Chords – Banjo

Zach Bryan’s introspective folk song with urban imagery and raw honesty. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum quiet and intimate. This is a storytelling song with a contemplative mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

Riding on the subway through the city late at night

C D

Strangers sitting next to me beneath the fluorescent light

G Em

Everyone’s got somewhere that they’re trying hard to be

C D

But the only place I’m headed is further from me

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Verse 2

G Em

Graffiti on the windows tells a story of its own

C D

Every scratch and marking says somebody was alone

G Em

The doors keep opening and closing just like days

C D

People getting on and off in a thousand different ways

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Bridge

Am Em

Underground the city hums

C G

A melody for everyone

Am Em

In the dark we’re all the same

C D

Passengers without a name

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Practice tip: Try fingerpicking this one instead of strumming for a more intimate feel. The G-Em-C-D progression is perfect for beginning fingerpickers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Subway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "The Subway" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Subway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Subway"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2023.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

G · C · D · Em

The Subway Chords – Mandolin

Zach Bryan’s introspective folk song with urban imagery and raw honesty. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum quiet and intimate. This is a storytelling song with a contemplative mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

Riding on the subway through the city late at night

C D

Strangers sitting next to me beneath the fluorescent light

G Em

Everyone’s got somewhere that they’re trying hard to be

C D

But the only place I’m headed is further from me

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Verse 2

G Em

Graffiti on the windows tells a story of its own

C D

Every scratch and marking says somebody was alone

G Em

The doors keep opening and closing just like days

C D

People getting on and off in a thousand different ways

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Bridge

Am Em

Underground the city hums

C G

A melody for everyone

Am Em

In the dark we’re all the same

C D

Passengers without a name

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Practice tip: Try fingerpicking this one instead of strumming for a more intimate feel. The G-Em-C-D progression is perfect for beginning fingerpickers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Subway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "The Subway" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Subway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Subway"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2023.

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

G · C · D · Em

The Subway Chords – Harmonica

Zach Bryan’s introspective folk song with urban imagery and raw honesty. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strum quiet and intimate. This is a storytelling song with a contemplative mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G Em

Riding on the subway through the city late at night

C D

Strangers sitting next to me beneath the fluorescent light

G Em

Everyone’s got somewhere that they’re trying hard to be

C D

But the only place I’m headed is further from me

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Verse 2

G Em

Graffiti on the windows tells a story of its own

C D

Every scratch and marking says somebody was alone

G Em

The doors keep opening and closing just like days

C D

People getting on and off in a thousand different ways

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Bridge

Am Em

Underground the city hums

C G

A melody for everyone

Am Em

In the dark we’re all the same

C D

Passengers without a name

Chorus

C G

On the subway

Em D

Watching the world go by

C G

On the subway

D G

Trying to figure out why

Practice tip: Try fingerpicking this one instead of strumming for a more intimate feel. The G-Em-C-D progression is perfect for beginning fingerpickers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Subway"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: G, C, D and Em.

Is "The Subway" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "The Subway" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Subway"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2023.