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“Under the Bridge” is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on March 10, 1992 as the second single from the group’s fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. With the public’s acceptance of this song, the band became mainstream and reached top 2 in the US Charts and No. 13 in the UK

How to Play Under the Bridge Riff on Guitar

“Under the Bridge” is performed in 4/4 time in the key of D major, shifting to the key of E major after the introduction of the first verse.

As shown in the image on the right, the song starts with the open ‘C form’ of the D chord, that is the D note on the second string is paired by the D bass on the 5th string. The 4th string fretted on the 4th fret is next then the A note on the 3rd string.

The 4 16th notes lick ends the first bar of the intro part – notes C#, B, A and G#.

 Under the Bridge Guitar Chord

Once you got the riff to the note, time to master the chord and the strumming pattern for the song.

A word of warning though, this is not an easy song to play. You may have to listen to the record a few times to get the hang of it.

Good luck!


E/B B C♯m A♭m A Emaj7 F♯m B Am G F C

e|–7–|–7–|–9—|–4–|–5–|–7–|–9—|–11–|–5–|–3–|–1–|–3–|
B|–9–|–7–|–9—|–4–|–5–|–9–|–10–|–12–|–5–|–3–|–1–|–5–|
G|–9–|–8–|–9—|–4–|–6–|–8–|–11–|–11–|–5–|–4–|–2–|–5–|
D|–9–|–9–|–11–|–6–|–7–|–9–|–11–|–9—|–7–|–5–|–3–|–5–|
A|–7–|–9–|–11–|–6–|–7–|–7–|–9—|–x—|–7–|–5–|–3–|–3–|
E|–7–|–7–|–9—|–4–|–5–|–x–|–9—|–x—|–5–|–3–|–1–|–3–|
E/BSometimes BI feel like I C♯mdon’t have a A♭mpartAner
E/BSometimes BI feel like C♯mmy only Afriend
Is the E/Bcity I Blive in, the C♯mcity of A♭mangelAs
E/BLonely as BI am, toC♯mgether we Acry Emaj7

E/BI drive on her Bstreets ’cause C♯mshe’s my comA♭mpanioAn
E/BI walk through her Bhills ’cause C♯mshe knows who I Aam
She E/Bsees my good Bdeeds and she C♯mkisses me A♭mwindyA
E/BI never Bworry, now C♯mthat is a Alie. Emaj7

Well, F♯mI don’t ever want to E/Bfeel Blike I F♯mdid that day
F♯mTake me to the place I E/Blove, Btake me F♯mall the way
F♯mI don’t ever want to E/Bfeel Blike I F♯mdid that day
F♯mTake me to the place I E/Blove, Btake me F♯mall the waE/By, yeBah, C♯myeah, A♭myeah A E/B B C♯m A

It’s E/Bhard to belBieve that there’s C♯mnobody A♭mout Athere
It’s E/Bhard to belBieve and C♯mI’m all Aalone
At E/Bleast I have Bher love, the C♯mcity she A♭mloves Ame
E/BLonely as BI am, toC♯mgether we Acry Emaj7

Well, F♯mI don’t ever want to E/Bfeel Blike I F♯mdid that day
F♯mTake me to the place I E/Blove, Btake me F♯mall the way
Well, F♯mI don’t ever want to E/Bfeel Blike I F♯mdid that day
F♯mTake me to the place I E/Blove, Btake me F♯mall the waAy, Amyeah, Gyeah, Fyeah
Aoh Amno, no, no, Gyeah, Fyeah
Alove Amme, i say, Gyeah Fyeah

8x 4x 4x

e|–12–|–10–|–14–|
B|–10–|–9—|–12–|
G|–10–|–9—|–12–|
D|–10–|–9—|–12–|
A|–8—|–7—|–10–|
E|–x—|–x—|–x—|

Aunder the bridge downAmtown
G…is where I Fdrew some blood
Aunder the bridge downAmtown
G…I could not Fget enough
Aunder the bridge downAmtown
G…forgot aFbout my love
Aunder the bridge downAmtown
G…I gave my Flife away

Away, Amyeah, Gyeah, Fyeah
Aoh Amno, no, no, Gno, yeFah, yeah
AOh Amno, i say, Gyeah Fyeah
A Am Gyeah Fyeah

A C G F
Track Listing of the Album:

o.	Title	Length
1.	“The Power of Equality”	4:03
2.	“If You Have to Ask”	3:37
3.	“Breaking the Girl”	4:55
4.	“Funky Monks”	5:23
5.	“Suck My Kiss”	3:37
6.	“I Could Have Lied”	4:04
7.	“Mellowship Slinky in B Major”	4:00
8.	“The Righteous & the Wicked”	4:08
9.	“Give It Away”	4:43
10.	“Blood Sugar Sex Magik”	4:31
11.	“Under the Bridge”	4:24
12.	“Naked in the Rain”	4:26
13.	“Apache Rose Peacock”	4:42
14.	“The Greeting Song”	3:13
15.	“My Lovely Man”	4:39
16.	“Sir Psycho Sexy”