“Dancing in the Dark,” the iconic hit by Bruce Springsteen, might be known for its driving rock sound, but it translates beautifully to the ukulele. This guide will walk you through playing “Dancing in the Dark” chords on your ukulele, offering a fresh, accessible take on this classic song. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced ukulele player, you’ll find these chords easy to learn and fun to play.
Simple Chords for a Classic Song
The original article mentions the core chord progression, and it’s surprisingly straightforward for ukulele. The song primarily revolves around a simple and repetitive sequence, making it perfect for practicing and mastering your ukulele skills. Here are the main chords you’ll need:
- G Major (G)
- E minor (Em)
- A minor (Am)
- C Major (C)
- D Major (D)
These chords are fundamental in ukulele playing and are often among the first chords beginners learn. “Dancing in the Dark” provides an excellent opportunity to practice transitioning smoothly between these shapes.
“Dancing in the Dark” Ukulele Chord Progression: Verse and Chorus
The song structure is built around verses and a chorus, each utilizing these chords in a slightly different way to create the song’s dynamic.
Verse Chord Progression:
The verses primarily alternate between G and Em chords, creating a melancholic yet rhythmic feel. The progression is:
G Em G Em
Listen to the song, and you’ll hear how this simple back-and-forth creates the foundation of the verses.
Chorus Chord Progression:
The chorus introduces Am and C, adding a lift and resolution to the progression. The transition to D adds further momentum before returning to the verse. The chorus progression is:
Am C Am G Em
And leading into the powerful line “You can’t start a fire…”, the chords shift to:
D
Followed by:
D C Am C Am Dancing in the G dark Em
This breakdown shows how the song builds intensity and release using a limited set of chords.
Strumming Pattern and Style
While the original article suggests a slower swing style, “Dancing in the Dark” can be adapted to various ukulele strumming patterns. For beginners, a simple down-down-up-down-up strum can work effectively. As you become more comfortable, you can experiment with adding syncopation or a swing feel as suggested.
The beauty of the ukulele is its versatility. You can play “Dancing in the Dark” with:
- A relaxed, mellow strum: Emphasizing the lyrical content and emotional depth.
- A more upbeat strum: Bringing out the rhythmic energy of the song, even on the ukulele.
Experiment and find what style resonates with you!
Playing Through the Song: Verse by Verse
Let’s apply these chords to the song’s lyrics, making it easy to follow along:
(Verse 1)
[G] I get up in the [Em] evening, and I [G] aint got [Em] nothing to [G] say
I come home in the [Em] morning, [G] I go to bed [Em] feeling the same [C] way
I ain’t nothing but [Am] tired, [C] Man I’m just [Am] tired and bored with my [G] self
Hey there [Em] baby, [G] I could [Em] use just a little [D] help
(Chorus)
[D] You can’t start a fire, you can’t start a fire without a [C] spark
This gun’s for [Am] hire, [C] even if we’re just [Am] dancing in the [G] dark [Em]
(Verse 2)
[G] Messages keep getting [Em] clearer, [G] radio’s on and I’m [Em] moving around the [G] place
I check my look in the [Em] mirror, [G] wanna change my [Em] clothes my hair my [C] face
Man I ain’t getting [Am] nowhere, [C] I’m just [Am] living in a dump like [G] this
There’s something happening [Em] somewhere, [G] baby [Em] I just know that there [D] is
(Chorus)
[D] You can’t start a fire, you can’t start a fire without a [C] spark
This gun’s for [Am] hire, [C] even if we’re just [Am] dancing in the [G] dark [Em]
(Bridge)
[Em] You sit around getting [G] older [C]
There’s a joke here [D] somewhere and it’s on [Em] me
I’ll shake the world off my [G] shoulders [C]
Come on baby the [D] laughs on me
(Verse 3)
[G]Stay on the streets of [Em] this town, [G] and they’ll be [Em] carving you up al [G] right
They say you gotta stay [Em] hungry, [G] Hey baby, I’m [Em] just about starving to [C] night
I’m dying for [Am] action, [C] sick of sitting round [Am] here trying to write this [G] book
I need a love re [Em]action, [G] Come on [Em] baby give me just one [D] look
(Chorus)
[D] You can’t start a fire, sitting round crying on a broken [C] heart
This gun’s for [Am] hire, [C] even if we’re just [Am] dancing in the [G] dark
(Outro)
[G] Even if we’re just [Em] dancing in the [G] dark [Em]
[G] Even if we’re just [Em] dancing in the [G] dark [Em]
[G] Even if we’re just [Em] dancing in the [G] dark [Em]
[G] Even if we’re just [Em] dancing in the [G] dark [Em]
Conclusion
“Dancing in the Dark” is a fantastic song to add to your ukulele repertoire. Its simple yet effective chord progression makes it accessible for players of all levels. By focusing on these “Dancing In The Dark Chords,” you can bring a ukulele twist to this Bruce Springsteen classic and enjoy playing it in your own style. So grab your ukulele, learn these chords, and start playing!
