The Drifters - Up On The Roof Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar Em chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram
[Opening]
[G]When this old world starts [Em]getting me down
And [C]people are just too [D]much for me to [G]face
I climb way up to the [Em]top of the stairs
And [C]all my cares just [D]drift right into [G]space
[verse 2]
[C]On the roof, it’s peaceful as can be
And [G]there the world [Em]below can’t bother [C]me [D]let me tell you now
[verse 3]
[G]When I come home feeling [Em]tired and beat
I [C]go up where the [D]air is fresh and [G]sweet (up on the roof)
I get away from the [Em]hustling crowd
And [C]all that rat-race [D]noise down in the [G]street (up on the roof)
[verse 4]
[C]On the roof, the only place I know, where [G]you just have to [Em]wish to make it [C]so [D]
[D]Let’s go up on the roof (up on the roof)
[verse 5]
[C]At night the stars put on a show for free
And, [G]darling, you can [Em]share it all with [C]me [D]I keep a-telling you
[Closing]
[G]Right smack dab in the [Em]middle of town
I’ve [C]found a para[D]dise that’s trouble [G]proof (up on the roof)
And [G]if this world starts [Em]getting you down, there’s [C]room enough for [D]two
Up on the [G]roof [Em](up on the roof), up on the [C]roof [D](up on the roof)
Oh, come on, [C]baby [D](up on the roof), oh, come on, [C]honey [D](up on the roof)
How to play Up On The Roof on Guitar (Step-by-step)
The Drifters - Up On The Roof on guitar requires 4 chords and 5 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.
Up On The Roof uses these transitions most often: C → D (12), Em → C (10), and G → Em (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 - Em chord transition.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. C → D chord transition
To move from C 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 A string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
4. D → G chord transition
To move from D to G;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
5. G → C chord transition
To move from G to C;
- 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 A string fret 3.
Up On The Roof chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Up On The Roof.
- Up On The Roof includes 48 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Up On The Roof contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Up On The Roof 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 → Em: 9%