If you want to play the iconic baseline and the Stand By Me chords together, I’ve also made a tab for a solo arrangement. Just scroll to the bottom.
Stand By Me is in the key of A major, and has a I vi IV V. This means that the chords are A, F#m, D, E.
But to make it simpler for beginner guitar players I’ve created a version with a capo at 2nd fret to keep the chord shapes simple.
With a capo at the 2nd fret, the chord shapes are all easy to play: G, Em, C, D.
If you’re interested in more guitar songs for beginners, check out our list of 100.
Stand By Me Chords
The Stand By Me chords are A, F#m, D and E. But with a capo at the 2nd fret, these more simple shapes can be played: G, Em, C and D.
So with capo at 2nd fret, play:
Stand By Me Chord Chart
If viewing on a phone, turn sideways. (The phone, not you.)
Capo 2nd Fret
[Intro / baseline]
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-0----0---------|--0----0----0---|-----------------|-----------------|
D|------------0-4-|---------------4-|-2-----2----0--|-2----2----2-0--|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-----------------|-----------------|--0----0--------|--0----0--------|
D|--------------2-|--0----0---0--4-|-----------0--4-|-----------0--4-|
A|-3----3----3----|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
[Chord pattern throughout]
G G | Em Em | C D | G G
[Verse 1]
G G
When the night has come
Em Em
and the land is dark
C D G G
And the moon is the only light we'll see
G G Em Em
No, I won't be afraid, no, I won't be afraid
C D G G
Just as long as you stand, stand by me. So darlin', darlin'
[Chorus 1]
G G Em Em
Stand by me, oh now stand by me,
C D G G
Stand by me, stand by me.
[Verse 2]
G G
If the sky that we look up-on
Em Em
Should tumble and fall
C D G G
And the mountain should crumble to the sea
G G Em Em
I won't cry, I won't cry, no, I won't shed a tear
C D G G
Just as long as you stand, stand by me. And darling, darling
[Chorus 2]
G G Em Em
Stand by me, oh now stand by me,
C D G G
Stand by me, stand by me.
[Orchestral interlude]
G G Em Em
C D G G
G G Em Em
C D G G
[Chorus 3]
G G Em Em
Stand by me, oh now stand by me,
C D G G
Stand by me, stand by me.Stand By Me Solo Arrangement
For those guitarists past the beginner stage, here’s a solo arrangement version, which allows you to play the iconic baseline and the chords together.
And remember if you’re viewing on a phone, turn it sideways.
Capo 2nd fret
G G G G Em Em Em Em
E|------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-2----2----------|--2----2--------|-0----0---------|-0----0----------|
G|-0----0----------|--0----0----0---|-0----0---------|-0----0---------|
D|-0----0-----0-4-|--0----0------4-|-2----2------0--|-2----2---2--0-|
A|-x----x----------|--x----x---------|-2----2----------|-2----2--------|
E|-3----3----------|--3----3---------|-0----0---------|-0----0--------|
C C D D G G G G
E|-----------------|--2----2---------|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-1----1---------|--3----3--------|--2----2---------|--2----2---------|
G|-0----0---------|--2----2--------|--0----0---------|--0----0---------|
D|-2----2-------2-|--0---0---0--4-|--0----0---0--4-|--0----0---0--4-|
A|-3----3----3----|-----------------|--x----x---------|--x----x---------|
E|-----------------|-----------------|--3----3---------|--3----3---------|