Running Up That Hill Guitar Chords by Kate Bush (Easy & Beginner Friendly)
“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush became a global hit again after Stranger Things, and many guitarists assume it’s complex because of its atmospheric sound. In reality, running up that hill guitar chords are simple and repetitive—making this song ideal for beginners and intermediate players who want to sound expressive without technical overload.
In this guide, you’ll learn easy guitar chords, strumming patterns, capo and no-capo options, and practical tips to play this song with the right feel.
🎤 Song Details
| Song | Running Up That Hill |
|---|---|
| Artist | Kate Bush |
| Movie / Series | Stranger Things (Season 4) |
| Year | 1985 |
| Original Key | C Minor |
| Capo | Optional |
| Time Signature | 4/4 |
🎸 Running Up That Hill Guitar Chords (No Capo)
If you want to stay close to the original key:
Cm Eb Bb F
Difficulty Level
- Intermediate (due to barre chords)
My opinion:
This version sounds darker and closer to the studio recording, but it’s not beginner-friendly if you’re still struggling with barre chords.
🎸 Running Up That Hill Guitar Chords (Easy – With Capo)
Capo on 3rd Fret
Am C G D
Why This Version Works Better for Beginners
- Open chords
- Easier transitions
- Better rhythm control
- Less hand fatigue
⚖️ Comparison: No Capo vs Easy Capo Version
| Aspect | No Capo Version | Capo (3rd Fret) |
|---|---|---|
| Skill level | Intermediate | Beginner |
| Chord shapes | Barre chords | Open chords |
| Sound | Dark, original | Slightly brighter |
| Playability | Medium | Easy |
| Recommendation | For experienced players | Best for beginners |
👉 Recommendation:
If you’re learning guitar, use the capo version first. Musical timing matters more than matching the exact key.
🥁 Strumming Pattern for Running Up That Hill
🥁 Strumming Pattern (The Part Everyone Gets Wrong)
Most tutorials will tell you to play Running Up That Hill with a clean
D D U U D U pattern and move on.
That’s exactly why most people make this song sound flat.
The Real Problem (Not the Pattern)
The strumming pattern is not difficult.
What breaks this song is how hard and how evenly people strum it.
This song punishes:
- aggressive strumming
- over-accenting every downstroke
- trying to “fill space” with sound
If you strum it like a pop song, it immediately loses its emotion.
How You Should Actually Strum This Song
Instead of focusing on the pattern, focus on dynamic control.
Base pattern (reference only):
D D U (U) D (U)
But here’s the twist most tutorials won’t tell you:
- First downstroke → very soft
- Second downstroke → slightly stronger
- Upstrokes → almost brushed, not attacked
- Missed strokes are allowed (and encouraged)
👉 If your strumming sounds “too perfect,” you’re playing it wrong.
Learn Strumming Pattern 101: Developing Rhythm and Timing
Count It Like This
Instead of counting numbers, think in breaths:
play → wait → let it ring → move
This song breathes. If you don’t leave space, it feels nervous.
⚠️ Controversial Opinion (Intentional)
If you can’t play this song softly, you’re not ready to play it fast — or at all.
That might sound harsh, but here’s the truth:
I’ve seen beginners nail the chords on day one
and still ruin the song because they strum like they’re afraid of silence.
This song is not about rhythm accuracy.
It’s about restraint.
And restraint is harder than speed.
Real-Life Observation (Not Theory)
Every time I’ve taught this song:
- the chord changes were never the issue
- the strumming pattern was never the issue
The moment students stopped trying to sound impressive
and allowed the chord to ring slightly longer than “comfortable” —
the song suddenly sounded right.
What I Actually Recommend (No Sugarcoating)
If you’re practicing Running Up That Hill:
- Forget upstrokes for the first 10 minutes
- Play only downstrokes, very softly
- Record yourself
- If it sounds boring, you’re close
- If it sounds dramatic, you’re doing too much
Once the softness feels natural, then add the full pattern.
Why This Matters (Big Picture)
This strumming approach doesn’t just fix this song.
It trains you to:
- control dynamics
- respect silence
- stop overplaying emotional songs
And honestly?
Most guitarists never practice this on purpose.
Main Pattern
D D U U D U
Count:1 2 & & 4 &
Playing Tip
- Keep your strumming soft and controlled
- Avoid aggressive accents
- Let the chords ring
This song is about atmosphere, not energy.
🎶 Song Scale & Theory Breakdown
Scale Used
- C Minor scale
Chord Function
- Cm / Am → emotional base
- Eb / C → lift
- Bb / G → stability
- F / D → tension
Why this progression works:
It creates a looping emotional tension, which matches the song’s haunting and introspective mood.
📌 Song Structure (Chord Progression by Section)
⚠️ Lyrics are not shown for copyright safety
Verse
Cm – Eb – Bb – F
Chorus
Cm – Eb – Bb – F
👉 Same progression throughout the song — excellent for rhythm practice.
🔁 Easy Version for Guitar Beginners
If you’re just starting:
- Use capo on 3rd fret
- Play downstrokes only at first
- Focus on steady timing
Once comfortable, add the upstrokes to complete the pattern.
🔥 Fingerstyle / Lead Idea (Optional)
Instead of full tabs:
- Thumb → bass string
- Index & middle → higher strings
- Let notes sustain naturally
Even a simple fingerstyle pattern sounds beautiful on this song.
Check out Full Guitar Tabs for Running Up That Hill By Kate Bush
❗ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Strumming too hard
- Rushing chord changes
- Adding fills that break the mood
- Ignoring dynamics
Expert insight:
Overplaying kills the emotion. This song rewards restraint.
🎼 Real-Life Use Case (Why This Song Helps Beginners)
Many beginners I’ve seen struggle with emotional control, not chords.
Practicing Running Up That Hill helps you:
- Control strumming dynamics
- Maintain steady rhythm
- Learn how repetition can sound musical
It’s a great song for learning feel, not flash.
🎵 Recommended Next Songs
If you enjoy this style:
- Mad World – Gary Jules
- The Night We Met – Lord Huron
- Wicked Game – Chris Isaak
All focus on emotion, space, and simplicity.
❓ FAQs
Is Running Up That Hill easy to play on guitar?
Yes, especially with a capo. It’s beginner-friendly.
Can I play Running Up That Hill without capo?
Yes, but barre chords are required.
Why does the song use the same chords throughout?
The repetition builds emotional tension and atmosphere.
Is this song good for guitar beginners?
Absolutely. It improves rhythm and dynamic control.
📝 Author Note
As a guitarist, I believe Running Up That Hill teaches something many songs don’t—how to say more with less.
If you can play this song with good timing and dynamics, your overall musicality will improve.
✅ Final Recommendation
If you’re a beginner or intermediate guitarist, this is one of the best songs to practice emotional playing without complexity.
