The Drifters - Up On The Roof Chords

ChordsG, Em, C, D

Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

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

GWhenthisoldworldstartsEmgettingmedown

AndCpeoplearejusttooDmuchformetoGface

IclimbwayuptotheEmtopofthestairs

AndCallmycaresjustDdriftrightintoGspace

COntheroof,it’speacefulascanbe

AndGtheretheworldEmbelowcan’tbotherCmeDletmetellyounow

GWhenIcomehomefeelingEmtiredandbeat

ICgoupwheretheDairisfreshandGsweet(upontheroof)

IgetawayfromtheEmhustlingcrowd

AndCallthatrat-raceDnoisedownintheGstreet(upontheroof)

COntheroof,theonlyplaceIknow,whereGyoujusthavetoEmwishtomakeitCsoD

DLet’sgoupontheroof(upontheroof)

CAtnightthestarsputonashowforfree

And,Gdarling,youcanEmshareitallwithCmeDIkeepa-tellingyou

GRightsmackdabintheEmmiddleoftown

I’veCfounda Dparadisethat’stroubleGproof(upontheroof)

AndGifthisworldstartsEmgettingyoudown,there’sCroomenoughforDtwo

UpontheGroofEm(upontheroof),upontheCroofD(upontheroof)

Oh,comeon,CbabyD(upontheroof),oh,comeon,ChoneyD(upontheroof)

ArtistThe Drifters

AlbumUnder the Boardwalk

GenresRock

Year1964

KeyG

DifficultyEasy

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

Switching 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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 10 times.

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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 10 times.

3. C → D chord transition

Switching 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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 12 times.

4. D → G chord transition

Here's how 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.

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

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%

1. G → Em chord transition

2. Em → C chord transition

3. C → D chord transition

4. D → G chord transition

5. G → C chord transition