Sam Barber – Hopeless Son Chords on Piano & Ukulele

Sam Barber – Hopeless Son Chords on Piano & Ukulele

ChordsCmaj7EmGDCmajC

Key
View

These are Hopeless Son chords by Sam Barber for Piano and Ukulele.

[Intro]
Cmaj7      Em  G  Cmaj7
Em  G

[Verse 1]
Cmaj7
Time stamped and broken
Taken every other step 
        Em    G
in the shade
Cmaj7
And I'd raise my voice loud
                              Em
But you wouldn't hear it anyway

Advertisement

[Pre-Chorus]
                       Cmaj7
Maybe I'm the hopeless son
Waiting on the rain to come
              Em  D
 and wash me away
                 Cmaj7
Shattered by the only one
                                 
That could ever make a dead heart 
                Em   D  Cmaj7
run, strung by lace
[Chorus]
Cmaj7                       Em
Hung and framed, I'm so confused
                             D 
When the only place left for me,
                       Cmaj7
 it ain't next to you
                        Em
A world away, far from view
                D
Nailed to your door, you'd
 still stare right through

[Post-Chorus]
   Cmaj7
My life as it passed by
Cmaj7
Steady as a wall when you walk by
                   Em   D
Am I a stranger to you?
              Cmaj7
And just like chalk on a state line
Cmaj7
Staring straight ahead 
as you drive by
                   Em
Am I a stranger to you?

Check out Musical Tips from our Tips section

[Interlude]
D  Cmaj7     Em  D  Cmaj7

Advertisement

[Verse 2]
Cmaj7
Spun out and smoking
                       Em    D
There's only myself to blame
Cmaj7
And I'm slowly loathing
                          Em  D
There's gotta be another way

[Pre-Chorus]
                       Cmaj7
Maybe I'm the hopeless son
Waiting on the rain to come 
              Em  D
and wash me away
                 Cmaj7
Shattered by the only one
That could ever make a dead heart
                Em   D  Cmaj7
 run, strung by lace

[Chorus]
Cmaj7                       Em
Hung and framed, I'm so confused
                             D  
When the only place left for me,
                      Cmaj7
 it ain't next to you
                        Em
A world away, far from view
                D
Nailed to your door, you'd 
still stare right through

[Post-Chorus]
   Cmaj7
My life as it passed by
Cmaj7
Steady as a wall when you walk by
                   Em   D
Am I a stranger to you?
              Cmaj7
And just like chalk on a state line
Cmaj7
Staring straight ahead as you drive by
                   Em  
Am I a stranger to you?
 D  Cmaj    Em  D

[Outro]
            Cmaj7
Darling, my life has passed by
Cmaj7
Steady as a wall when you walk by
                   Em   D
Am I a stranger to you?
          Cmaj7
Just like chalk on a state line
Cmaj7
Staring straight ahead 
as you drive by
                   Em   D  C
Am I a stranger to you?

Watch: Sam Barber - Hopeless Son (Official Audio)

From Sam Barber on YouTube. Play along with the chords above.

How to play Hopeless Son: key, chords and progression

Hopeless Son by Sam Barber sits in E minor (one sharp: F♯), and you need 6 chords to play it: Cmaj7, Em, G, D, Cmaj and C.

The backbone of the song is Em – D – Cmaj7 – Em (i – VII – VImaj7 – i in E minor). Practise these 4 changes until they feel natural and you can play most of it.

Beginner-friendly: every chord is an open chord on guitar, so you can play it without a capo or barre chords.

Chord diagrams

Cmaj7 chord on guitar (x32000)
Cmaj7C E G B
Em chord on guitar (022000)
EmE G B
G chord on guitar (320003)
GG B D
D chord on guitar (xx0232)
DD F♯ A
C chord on guitar (x32010)
CC E G

Need another chord or a different shape? Feel free to use our free Chord Shape Generator.

Hopeless Son chords: questions

What key is Hopeless Son in?

Hopeless Son by Sam Barber is in the key of E minor (one sharp: F♯).

What chords are in Hopeless Son?

Hopeless Son uses 6 chords: Cmaj7, Em, G, D, Cmaj, C.

What is the chord progression of Hopeless Son?

The main progression is Em – D – Cmaj7 – Em (i – VII – VImaj7 – i).

Is Hopeless Son easy to play on guitar?

Yes. Every chord is an open chord, so it suits beginners.

New chords in your inbox

Fresh piano, guitar and ukulele chords and playing tips, once a week. No spam, unsubscribe any time.