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What Are You Listening To Chords

Chris Stapleton Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Gtap to play

Ctap to play

Dtap to play

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Key

G

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

What Are You Listening To Chords – Guitar

A reflective ballad by Chris Stapleton about the power of music in a relationship. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I see you standin’ over there, starin’ at the floor

G D

I can tell you’re a million miles away

G C

You’re lookin’ for an answer, you’re lookin’ for a door

G D

You’re lookin’ for somethin’ you can say

Verse 2

G C

I can see you’re hurtin’, I can see you’re blue

G D

I can see you’re tired of this game

G C

I can see you’re wonderin’ what you’re gonna do

G D

And I can see you’re tryin’ to place the blame

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Verse 3

G C

I can see you’re thinkin’ ’bout the way it was

G D

When we couldn’t turn the music down low

G

When we were dancin’ in the kitchen just because

C D

And love was all we needed to know

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Bridge

C G

So let me hold you closer

D

Let me turn that song off

C G

Let me be the music when the

D

music’s gone

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Outro

G C

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G

Yeah

Practice tip: The Em to C transition in the chorus is central; practice switching between these two chords cleanly while keeping the strum pattern steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Are You Listening To"?

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

Is "What Are You Listening To" 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 "What Are You Listening To" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Are You Listening To"?

It was written by Chris Stapleton, Lee Thomas Miller, and released in 2015.

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

What Are You Listening To Chords – Ukulele

A reflective ballad by Chris Stapleton about the power of music in a relationship. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I see you standin’ over there, starin’ at the floor

G D

I can tell you’re a million miles away

G C

You’re lookin’ for an answer, you’re lookin’ for a door

G D

You’re lookin’ for somethin’ you can say

Verse 2

G C

I can see you’re hurtin’, I can see you’re blue

G D

I can see you’re tired of this game

G C

I can see you’re wonderin’ what you’re gonna do

G D

And I can see you’re tryin’ to place the blame

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Verse 3

G C

I can see you’re thinkin’ ’bout the way it was

G D

When we couldn’t turn the music down low

G

When we were dancin’ in the kitchen just because

C D

And love was all we needed to know

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Bridge

C G

So let me hold you closer

D

Let me turn that song off

C G

Let me be the music when the

D

music’s gone

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Outro

G C

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G

Yeah

Practice tip: The Em to C transition in the chorus is central; practice switching between these two chords cleanly while keeping the strum pattern steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Are You Listening To"?

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

Is "What Are You Listening To" 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 "What Are You Listening To" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Are You Listening To"?

It was written by Chris Stapleton, Lee Thomas Miller, and released in 2015.

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

What Are You Listening To Chords – Piano

A reflective ballad by Chris Stapleton about the power of music in a relationship. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I see you standin’ over there, starin’ at the floor

G D

I can tell you’re a million miles away

G C

You’re lookin’ for an answer, you’re lookin’ for a door

G D

You’re lookin’ for somethin’ you can say

Verse 2

G C

I can see you’re hurtin’, I can see you’re blue

G D

I can see you’re tired of this game

G C

I can see you’re wonderin’ what you’re gonna do

G D

And I can see you’re tryin’ to place the blame

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Verse 3

G C

I can see you’re thinkin’ ’bout the way it was

G D

When we couldn’t turn the music down low

G

When we were dancin’ in the kitchen just because

C D

And love was all we needed to know

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Bridge

C G

So let me hold you closer

D

Let me turn that song off

C G

Let me be the music when the

D

music’s gone

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Outro

G C

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G

Yeah

Practice tip: The Em to C transition in the chorus is central; practice switching between these two chords cleanly while keeping the strum pattern steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Are You Listening To"?

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

Is "What Are You Listening To" 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 "What Are You Listening To" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Are You Listening To"?

It was written by Chris Stapleton, Lee Thomas Miller, and released in 2015.

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

What Are You Listening To Chords – Banjo

A reflective ballad by Chris Stapleton about the power of music in a relationship. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I see you standin’ over there, starin’ at the floor

G D

I can tell you’re a million miles away

G C

You’re lookin’ for an answer, you’re lookin’ for a door

G D

You’re lookin’ for somethin’ you can say

Verse 2

G C

I can see you’re hurtin’, I can see you’re blue

G D

I can see you’re tired of this game

G C

I can see you’re wonderin’ what you’re gonna do

G D

And I can see you’re tryin’ to place the blame

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Verse 3

G C

I can see you’re thinkin’ ’bout the way it was

G D

When we couldn’t turn the music down low

G

When we were dancin’ in the kitchen just because

C D

And love was all we needed to know

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Bridge

C G

So let me hold you closer

D

Let me turn that song off

C G

Let me be the music when the

D

music’s gone

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Outro

G C

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G

Yeah

Practice tip: The Em to C transition in the chorus is central; practice switching between these two chords cleanly while keeping the strum pattern steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Are You Listening To"?

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

Is "What Are You Listening To" 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 "What Are You Listening To" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Are You Listening To"?

It was written by Chris Stapleton, Lee Thomas Miller, and released in 2015.

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

What Are You Listening To Chords – Mandolin

A reflective ballad by Chris Stapleton about the power of music in a relationship. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I see you standin’ over there, starin’ at the floor

G D

I can tell you’re a million miles away

G C

You’re lookin’ for an answer, you’re lookin’ for a door

G D

You’re lookin’ for somethin’ you can say

Verse 2

G C

I can see you’re hurtin’, I can see you’re blue

G D

I can see you’re tired of this game

G C

I can see you’re wonderin’ what you’re gonna do

G D

And I can see you’re tryin’ to place the blame

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Verse 3

G C

I can see you’re thinkin’ ’bout the way it was

G D

When we couldn’t turn the music down low

G

When we were dancin’ in the kitchen just because

C D

And love was all we needed to know

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Bridge

C G

So let me hold you closer

D

Let me turn that song off

C G

Let me be the music when the

D

music’s gone

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Outro

G C

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G

Yeah

Practice tip: The Em to C transition in the chorus is central; practice switching between these two chords cleanly while keeping the strum pattern steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Are You Listening To"?

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

Is "What Are You Listening To" 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 "What Are You Listening To" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Are You Listening To"?

It was written by Chris Stapleton, Lee Thomas Miller, and released in 2015.

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

What Are You Listening To Chords – Harmonica

A reflective ballad by Chris Stapleton about the power of music in a relationship. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original recording’s key of Bb, but play the G, C, D, and Em shapes as written.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C

I see you standin’ over there, starin’ at the floor

G D

I can tell you’re a million miles away

G C

You’re lookin’ for an answer, you’re lookin’ for a door

G D

You’re lookin’ for somethin’ you can say

Verse 2

G C

I can see you’re hurtin’, I can see you’re blue

G D

I can see you’re tired of this game

G C

I can see you’re wonderin’ what you’re gonna do

G D

And I can see you’re tryin’ to place the blame

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Verse 3

G C

I can see you’re thinkin’ ’bout the way it was

G D

When we couldn’t turn the music down low

G

When we were dancin’ in the kitchen just because

C D

And love was all we needed to know

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Bridge

C G

So let me hold you closer

D

Let me turn that song off

C G

Let me be the music when the

D

music’s gone

Chorus

Em C

What are you listenin’ to? What’s on the radio?

G D

Is it some sad steel guitar song?

Em C

Is it breakin’ your heart? Makin’ it hard

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

Outro

G C

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G D

To see that I’ve been right here all along

G

Yeah

Practice tip: The Em to C transition in the chorus is central; practice switching between these two chords cleanly while keeping the strum pattern steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Are You Listening To"?

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

Is "What Are You Listening To" 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 "What Are You Listening To" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Are You Listening To"?

It was written by Chris Stapleton, Lee Thomas Miller, and released in 2015.