Country, Folk

The Way Things Go Chords

Zach Bryan Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 4 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 Way Things Go Chords – Guitar

A reflective folk song by Zach Bryan about accepting life’s unpredictable journey. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still using these G-based chord shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I remember the days when the sun would stay

D C G

Up until the clock struck nine

G C G

And I remember the way that you’d look at me

D C G

When you said you’d be mine all mine

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Verse 2

G C G

I remember the nights when the moon was bright

D C G

And we’d talk until the morning light

G C G

And I remember the sound of the rain on the roof

D C G

When we had our first big old fight

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Bridge

Em C G

I’ve been searchin’ for an answer

D C G

In the bottom of a glass or a song

Em C G

But the more I keep on lookin’

D C G

The more I see I’ve been wrong

Verse 3

G C G

Now I see the sunset on the prairie line

D C G

And I think of how the time has flown

G C G

And I know that the love we had was real and true

D C G

But I also know I’m here on my own

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Outro

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G D

Yeah, I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

G

Let it be

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, and Em repeats throughout. Practice switching between G and C, as it’s the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Way Things Go"?

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

Is "The Way Things Go" 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 Way Things Go" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Way Things Go"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.

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 Way Things Go Chords – Ukulele

A reflective folk song by Zach Bryan about accepting life’s unpredictable journey. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still using these G-based chord shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I remember the days when the sun would stay

D C G

Up until the clock struck nine

G C G

And I remember the way that you’d look at me

D C G

When you said you’d be mine all mine

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Verse 2

G C G

I remember the nights when the moon was bright

D C G

And we’d talk until the morning light

G C G

And I remember the sound of the rain on the roof

D C G

When we had our first big old fight

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Bridge

Em C G

I’ve been searchin’ for an answer

D C G

In the bottom of a glass or a song

Em C G

But the more I keep on lookin’

D C G

The more I see I’ve been wrong

Verse 3

G C G

Now I see the sunset on the prairie line

D C G

And I think of how the time has flown

G C G

And I know that the love we had was real and true

D C G

But I also know I’m here on my own

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Outro

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G D

Yeah, I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

G

Let it be

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, and Em repeats throughout. Practice switching between G and C, as it’s the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Way Things Go"?

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

Is "The Way Things Go" 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 Way Things Go" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Way Things Go"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.

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 Way Things Go Chords – Piano

A reflective folk song by Zach Bryan about accepting life’s unpredictable journey. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still using these G-based chord shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I remember the days when the sun would stay

D C G

Up until the clock struck nine

G C G

And I remember the way that you’d look at me

D C G

When you said you’d be mine all mine

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Verse 2

G C G

I remember the nights when the moon was bright

D C G

And we’d talk until the morning light

G C G

And I remember the sound of the rain on the roof

D C G

When we had our first big old fight

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Bridge

Em C G

I’ve been searchin’ for an answer

D C G

In the bottom of a glass or a song

Em C G

But the more I keep on lookin’

D C G

The more I see I’ve been wrong

Verse 3

G C G

Now I see the sunset on the prairie line

D C G

And I think of how the time has flown

G C G

And I know that the love we had was real and true

D C G

But I also know I’m here on my own

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Outro

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G D

Yeah, I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

G

Let it be

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, and Em repeats throughout. Practice switching between G and C, as it’s the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Way Things Go"?

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

Is "The Way Things Go" 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 Way Things Go" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Way Things Go"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.

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 Way Things Go Chords – Banjo

A reflective folk song by Zach Bryan about accepting life’s unpredictable journey. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still using these G-based chord shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I remember the days when the sun would stay

D C G

Up until the clock struck nine

G C G

And I remember the way that you’d look at me

D C G

When you said you’d be mine all mine

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Verse 2

G C G

I remember the nights when the moon was bright

D C G

And we’d talk until the morning light

G C G

And I remember the sound of the rain on the roof

D C G

When we had our first big old fight

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Bridge

Em C G

I’ve been searchin’ for an answer

D C G

In the bottom of a glass or a song

Em C G

But the more I keep on lookin’

D C G

The more I see I’ve been wrong

Verse 3

G C G

Now I see the sunset on the prairie line

D C G

And I think of how the time has flown

G C G

And I know that the love we had was real and true

D C G

But I also know I’m here on my own

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Outro

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G D

Yeah, I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

G

Let it be

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, and Em repeats throughout. Practice switching between G and C, as it’s the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Way Things Go"?

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

Is "The Way Things Go" 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 Way Things Go" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Way Things Go"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.

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 Way Things Go Chords – Mandolin

A reflective folk song by Zach Bryan about accepting life’s unpredictable journey. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still using these G-based chord shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I remember the days when the sun would stay

D C G

Up until the clock struck nine

G C G

And I remember the way that you’d look at me

D C G

When you said you’d be mine all mine

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Verse 2

G C G

I remember the nights when the moon was bright

D C G

And we’d talk until the morning light

G C G

And I remember the sound of the rain on the roof

D C G

When we had our first big old fight

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Bridge

Em C G

I’ve been searchin’ for an answer

D C G

In the bottom of a glass or a song

Em C G

But the more I keep on lookin’

D C G

The more I see I’ve been wrong

Verse 3

G C G

Now I see the sunset on the prairie line

D C G

And I think of how the time has flown

G C G

And I know that the love we had was real and true

D C G

But I also know I’m here on my own

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Outro

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G D

Yeah, I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

G

Let it be

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, and Em repeats throughout. Practice switching between G and C, as it’s the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Way Things Go"?

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

Is "The Way Things Go" 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 Way Things Go" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Way Things Go"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.

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 Way Things Go Chords – Harmonica

A reflective folk song by Zach Bryan about accepting life’s unpredictable journey. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original recording’s key of A, while still using these G-based chord shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I remember the days when the sun would stay

D C G

Up until the clock struck nine

G C G

And I remember the way that you’d look at me

D C G

When you said you’d be mine all mine

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Verse 2

G C G

I remember the nights when the moon was bright

D C G

And we’d talk until the morning light

G C G

And I remember the sound of the rain on the roof

D C G

When we had our first big old fight

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Bridge

Em C G

I’ve been searchin’ for an answer

D C G

In the bottom of a glass or a song

Em C G

But the more I keep on lookin’

D C G

The more I see I’ve been wrong

Verse 3

G C G

Now I see the sunset on the prairie line

D C G

And I think of how the time has flown

G C G

And I know that the love we had was real and true

D C G

But I also know I’m here on my own

Chorus

C G

And that’s just the way things go

D C G

Fast and then they go real slow

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G

And that’s just the way things are

D C G

Close and then so dang far

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

Outro

C G D

And I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

C G D

Yeah, I’ve been learnin’ how to let it be

G

Let it be

Practice tip: The chord progression G, C, D, and Em repeats throughout. Practice switching between G and C, as it’s the most common transition in the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "The Way Things Go"?

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

Is "The Way Things Go" 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 Way Things Go" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "The Way Things Go"?

It was written by Zach Bryan, and released in 2024.