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Tom Petty - The Apartment Song Chords

ChordsA, E, D
Strumming↓-↓-↓-↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

AIusedtoliveinatwo-roomapartment,neighborsknockingEonmyAwall
TimeswerehardIdon’twannaknockit,Idon’tmissitEmuchatAall
DOhAyeahEI’mAalrightDIjustAfeelalittleElonelytonight
DI’mAokayEmostoftheAtimeDIjustAfeelalittleElonelyAtonight
AIusedtoneedyourlovesobadly,thenIcametoElivewithAit
LatelyIgetafarawayfeeling,andthewholethingEstartsAagain
DOhAyeahEI’mAalrightDIjustAfeelalittleElonelytonight
DI’mAokayEmostoftheAtimeDIjustAfeelalittleElonelyAtonight
AIusedtoneedyourlovesobadly,thenIcametoElivewithAit
LatelyIgetafarawayfeeling,andthewholethingEstartsAagain
ArtistTom Petty
AlbumFull Moon Fever
GenresPop, Pop Rock, Rock
Year1989
KeyA
DifficultyEasy

How to play The Apartment Song on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Tom Petty - The Apartment Song on guitar requires 3 chords and 3 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.

The Apartment Song uses these transitions most often: A → E (14), E → A (12), and D → A (8). 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 A - E chord transition.

1. A → E chord transition

Here's how to move from A to E:

  1. Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from B string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.

This transition appears in the verse, played 14 times.

A to E

2. A → D chord transition

Switching from A to D:

  1. Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 2 to fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 6 times.

A to D

3. E → D chord transition

Here's how to move from E to D:

  1. Slide your index finger on G string from fret 1 to fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from D string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 2 times.

E to D

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in The Apartment Song.

  • The Apartment Song includes 42 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • The Apartment Song contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how The Apartment Song connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After A, the most likely next chords across Chordier are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
    • A → D: 29%
    • A → E: 12%
    After E, the most likely next chords across Chordier are A (25%), D (14%), and B (11%).
    • E → A: 25%
    • E → D: 14%