Country, Pop

What Hurts the Most Chords

Rascal Flatts Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 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

What Hurts the Most Chords – Guitar

Rascal Flatts’ poignant country-pop ballad about the pain of a lost love and unspoken words. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the easier G, C, D, and Em shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house

D

That don’t bother me

G C G

I can take a few tears now and then and just let ’em out

D Em

I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while

C D

Even though goin’ on with you gone still upsets me

G C G D

There are days every now and again I pretend I’m okay

G C

But that’s not what gets me

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Verse 2

G C G

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go

D

But I’m doin’ it

G C G

It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone

D Em C

Still harder gettin’ up, gettin’ dressed, livin’ with this regret

D

But I know if I could do it over

G C G D

I would trade, give away all the words that I saved in my heart that I left unsaid

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Bridge

Em

Oh, oh, oh

C

Oh, oh, oh

D

Oh, oh, oh

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Outro

G C

Not seeing that lovin’ you

G D

That’s what I was tryin’ to do

G

Oh…

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Hurts the Most"?

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

Is "What Hurts the Most" 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 Hurts the Most" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Hurts the Most"?

It was written by Steve Robson, Jeffrey Steele, and released in 2006.

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 Hurts the Most Chords – Ukulele

Rascal Flatts’ poignant country-pop ballad about the pain of a lost love and unspoken words. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the easier G, C, D, and Em shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house

D

That don’t bother me

G C G

I can take a few tears now and then and just let ’em out

D Em

I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while

C D

Even though goin’ on with you gone still upsets me

G C G D

There are days every now and again I pretend I’m okay

G C

But that’s not what gets me

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Verse 2

G C G

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go

D

But I’m doin’ it

G C G

It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone

D Em C

Still harder gettin’ up, gettin’ dressed, livin’ with this regret

D

But I know if I could do it over

G C G D

I would trade, give away all the words that I saved in my heart that I left unsaid

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Bridge

Em

Oh, oh, oh

C

Oh, oh, oh

D

Oh, oh, oh

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Outro

G C

Not seeing that lovin’ you

G D

That’s what I was tryin’ to do

G

Oh…

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Hurts the Most"?

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

Is "What Hurts the Most" 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 Hurts the Most" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Hurts the Most"?

It was written by Steve Robson, Jeffrey Steele, and released in 2006.

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 Hurts the Most Chords – Piano

Rascal Flatts’ poignant country-pop ballad about the pain of a lost love and unspoken words. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the easier G, C, D, and Em shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house

D

That don’t bother me

G C G

I can take a few tears now and then and just let ’em out

D Em

I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while

C D

Even though goin’ on with you gone still upsets me

G C G D

There are days every now and again I pretend I’m okay

G C

But that’s not what gets me

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Verse 2

G C G

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go

D

But I’m doin’ it

G C G

It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone

D Em C

Still harder gettin’ up, gettin’ dressed, livin’ with this regret

D

But I know if I could do it over

G C G D

I would trade, give away all the words that I saved in my heart that I left unsaid

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Bridge

Em

Oh, oh, oh

C

Oh, oh, oh

D

Oh, oh, oh

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Outro

G C

Not seeing that lovin’ you

G D

That’s what I was tryin’ to do

G

Oh…

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Hurts the Most"?

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

Is "What Hurts the Most" 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 Hurts the Most" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Hurts the Most"?

It was written by Steve Robson, Jeffrey Steele, and released in 2006.

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 Hurts the Most Chords – Banjo

Rascal Flatts’ poignant country-pop ballad about the pain of a lost love and unspoken words. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the easier G, C, D, and Em shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house

D

That don’t bother me

G C G

I can take a few tears now and then and just let ’em out

D Em

I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while

C D

Even though goin’ on with you gone still upsets me

G C G D

There are days every now and again I pretend I’m okay

G C

But that’s not what gets me

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Verse 2

G C G

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go

D

But I’m doin’ it

G C G

It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone

D Em C

Still harder gettin’ up, gettin’ dressed, livin’ with this regret

D

But I know if I could do it over

G C G D

I would trade, give away all the words that I saved in my heart that I left unsaid

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Bridge

Em

Oh, oh, oh

C

Oh, oh, oh

D

Oh, oh, oh

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Outro

G C

Not seeing that lovin’ you

G D

That’s what I was tryin’ to do

G

Oh…

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Hurts the Most"?

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

Is "What Hurts the Most" 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 Hurts the Most" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Hurts the Most"?

It was written by Steve Robson, Jeffrey Steele, and released in 2006.

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 Hurts the Most Chords – Mandolin

Rascal Flatts’ poignant country-pop ballad about the pain of a lost love and unspoken words. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the easier G, C, D, and Em shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house

D

That don’t bother me

G C G

I can take a few tears now and then and just let ’em out

D Em

I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while

C D

Even though goin’ on with you gone still upsets me

G C G D

There are days every now and again I pretend I’m okay

G C

But that’s not what gets me

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Verse 2

G C G

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go

D

But I’m doin’ it

G C G

It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone

D Em C

Still harder gettin’ up, gettin’ dressed, livin’ with this regret

D

But I know if I could do it over

G C G D

I would trade, give away all the words that I saved in my heart that I left unsaid

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Bridge

Em

Oh, oh, oh

C

Oh, oh, oh

D

Oh, oh, oh

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Outro

G C

Not seeing that lovin’ you

G D

That’s what I was tryin’ to do

G

Oh…

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Hurts the Most"?

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

Is "What Hurts the Most" 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 Hurts the Most" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Hurts the Most"?

It was written by Steve Robson, Jeffrey Steele, and released in 2006.

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 Hurts the Most Chords – Harmonica

Rascal Flatts’ poignant country-pop ballad about the pain of a lost love and unspoken words. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret to match the original recording’s key of B, while still playing the easier G, C, D, and Em shapes.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

G C G

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house

D

That don’t bother me

G C G

I can take a few tears now and then and just let ’em out

D Em

I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while

C D

Even though goin’ on with you gone still upsets me

G C G D

There are days every now and again I pretend I’m okay

G C

But that’s not what gets me

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Verse 2

G C G

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go

D

But I’m doin’ it

G C G

It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone

D Em C

Still harder gettin’ up, gettin’ dressed, livin’ with this regret

D

But I know if I could do it over

G C G D

I would trade, give away all the words that I saved in my heart that I left unsaid

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Bridge

Em

Oh, oh, oh

C

Oh, oh, oh

D

Oh, oh, oh

Chorus

G

What hurts the most

C

Was being so close

G

And having so much to say

D

And watching you walk away

G

And never knowing

C

What could have been

G

And not seeing that lovin’ you

D

Is what I was tryin’ to do

Outro

G C

Not seeing that lovin’ you

G D

That’s what I was tryin’ to do

G

Oh…

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "What Hurts the Most"?

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

Is "What Hurts the Most" 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 Hurts the Most" in?

It is in the key of G.

Who wrote "What Hurts the Most"?

It was written by Steve Robson, Jeffrey Steele, and released in 2006.