The Lumineers - Holdin’ Out Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar Dm chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar Em chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram
[Opening]
[G]
[G]Singing to myself, [Dm]singing for the neighbours
[C]Holdin’ on for work, [C]holdin’ on to paper
[G]I was on the left, [Dm]you were only fading
[C]I was on my own, [C]staring at the ceiling
[G]Holdin’, [C]holdin’ [Em]out
[verse 2]
[G]Read it on a map, [Dm]never how I planned it
[C]Holdin’ on for work, [C]taking it for granted
[G]I was looking up, [Dm]I was being blinded
[C]Holdin’ on for work, [C]hoping that I’d find it
[verse 3]
[G] [C] [Em] [G] [C] [Em]
[G]I was looking up, [Dm]holding on to patience
[C]Counting up the days, [C]days that I’d been waiting
[G]You can take your time, [Dm]I’ll be on the front porch
[C]Keeping on the light, [C]you can see it if you look for it
[verse 4]
[G] [C] [Em] [G] [C] [Em]
[Em]I would lie [C]awake [G]in the [D]night
[D]Hopin’ that one d[C]ay [G]I’d [D]run
[D]I had waited a[C]ll [G]my [D]life
[Closing]
[G] [C] [Em] [G] [C] [Em]
[Em]Yeah, I was [G]holdin’ (singing to myself)
[C]Holdin’ [Em]you (holdin’ on to work)
[Em]Yeah, [G]holdin’ (I was on the left)
[C]Waited for [Em]you (I was on my own)
[Em]Waited for…
[outro]
[G] [C] [Em] [G] [C] [Em] [G]
How to play Holdin' Out on Guitar (Step-by-step)
The Lumineers - Holdin' Out on guitar requires 5 chords and 7 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.
Holdin' Out uses these transitions most often: C → Em (11), G → C (11), and Em → G (10). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with G - Dm chord transition.
1. G → Dm chord transition
To move from G to Dm;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to G string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
2. Dm → C chord transition
To move from Dm to C;
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
3. C → G chord transition
To move from C to G;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
4. C → Em chord transition
To move from C to Em;
- While playing C, lift your index finger from B string fret 1.
- Lift your middle finger from D string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from A string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
5. Em → G chord transition
To move from Em to G;
- Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.
- Slide your ring finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Place index finger on A string fret 2.
6. G → D chord transition
To move from G to D;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to E string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
7. D → C chord transition
To move from D to C;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
Holdin' Out chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Holdin' Out.
- Holdin' Out includes 60 chord transitions, 7 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Holdin' Out contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Holdin' Out connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
- C → G: 35%
- C → Em: 8%
After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).- G → C: 25%
- G → D: 24%