Jackson Browne - Running On Empty Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to G,D keys to play this song with easier chords.
Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar Em chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram
Guitar Am chord diagram
[Opening]
[C] [C] [C] [G] [G] [Em] [C] [G] [D]
[C]Looking out at the [G]road rushing under my [C]wheels [G]
[C]Looking back at the [G]years going by like [C]so many summer fields [G]
[C]In sixty-five I was [G]seventeen [C]running up 101 [G]
[C]I don’t know where I’m [G]running now, I’m just [D]running on
[chorus]
Running [C]on, running on [G]empty
Running [C]on, running [G]blind
Running [C]on, running into the [G]sun
but I’m running be[Em]hind
[verse 2]
[C]Gotta do what you [G]can just to keep your [C]love alive [G]
[C]Trying not to con-[G]fuse it with what you [C]do to sur[G]vive
[C]In sixty-nine I was [G]twenty-one and I [C]called the road my [G]own
[C]I don’t know when that [G]road turned onto the [D]road I’m on
[chorus]
Running [C]on, running on [G]empty
Running [C]on, running [G]blind
Running [C]on, running into the [G]sun
but I’m running be[Em]hind
[verse 3]
[C] [C] [C] [G] [G] [Em] [C] [G] [D]
[Em]Everyone I [C]know [D]everywhere I [G]go
[Em]people need some [D]reason to be[C]lieve
I don’t know about [G]anyone but me
[Em]If it takes all [C]night [D]that’ll be all [G]right
[Em]if I can get you to [D]smile before I [C]leave[G] [Am] [Em] [C] [D]
[verse 4]
[C]Looking out at the [G]road rushing under my [C]wheels [G]
[C]I don’t know how to [G]tell you all just how [C]crazy this life feels [G]
[C]Look around for the friends that [G]I used to turn to to pull me [C]through [G]
[C]Looking into their [G]eyes I see them [D]running too
[chorus]
Running [C]on, running on [G]empty
Running [C]on, running [G]blind
Running [C]on, running into the [G]sun
but I’m running be[Em]hind
[Closing]
[C]Honey you really [G]tempt me,
You know the [C]way you look so [G]kind
[C]I’d love to stick around [D]but I’m running be[C]hind[G] [Am] [G]
[C]You know I don’t even [D]know what I’m hoping to [C]find [G] [Am]
Running into the [D]sun but I’m running be[C]hind [G] [Am] [G]
How to play Running On Empty on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Jackson Browne - Running On Empty on guitar requires 5 chords and 9 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.
Running On Empty uses these transitions most often: C → G (41), G → C (27), and D → C (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 C - G chord transition.
1. 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.
2. G → Em chord transition
To move from G to Em;
- While playing G, lift your index finger from A string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
3. Em → C chord transition
To move from Em to C;
- Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from D string fret 2 to A string fret 3.
- Place index finger on B string fret 1.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. D → Em chord transition
To move from D to Em;
- While playing D, lift your index finger from G string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from B string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
7. G → Am chord transition
To move from G to Am;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 2.
8. Am → Em chord transition
To move from Am to Em;
- While playing Am, 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 G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
9. Am → D chord transition
To move from Am to D;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 3.
Running On Empty chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Running On Empty.
- Running On Empty includes 117 chord transitions, 9 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Running On Empty contains 6 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Running On Empty 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 → D: 11%
After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).- G → C: 25%
- G → D: 24%