Such a wonderful song as this is deserving of everyone’s attention, even in the unlikely circumstance that they haven’t already heard it blaring over the speaker system of every supermarket or retail store, or on every advert, or even as the fuel to your favorite meme.
Given how ubiquitous this song is, how wide spread is has become as a popular cultural tenet, in this decade as in the previous (and throughout the century for that matter), it seems almost like a rite of passage to learn this song, for each and every one of us ukulele enthusiasts to learn the ukulele chords Let Her Go is comprised of.
The ubiquity of this song doesn’t simply lie in its popularity; the lyrics are also brimming with universal messages of heart ache and love loss. It’s no surprise that this song is so widely loved now!
The Story of Passenger’s ‘Let Her Go’
Who doesn’t know this classic? Maybe even too much perhaps? It has certainly been circulated ad nauseum through the air waves of the Western world. The song was originally released in 2012 by English singer songwriter Mike Rosenberg under the moniker Passenger, acting as the second single from his fourth album, All the Little Lights, though it didn’t achieve anywhere near the amount of success upon this initial release.
It became what is known in the entertainment industry as a ‘sleeper hit’, for in the last couple of years it has become so large a hit so long after its initial release that it often tickles the ear in a rather unpleasant way when it comes on.
This tune is one of those songs that, though a little more difficult, is incredibly enjoyable to play along to and also to hum along or sing along with, should you feel so inclined. The guitar has an incredibly gentle quality in this song owing to the fact that the capo is placed on the 7th fret, the pitch being inherently raised while also allowing the chords to be easier to play and sing along to.
This is perfect for translating to the ukulele, which is itself set at a higher pitch than the guitar anyhow, making use of those characteristic pizzicato sounds that the ukulele is so famous for.
The song has become so ubiquitous that you might even be able to play it from memory! Though it is one of those slightly more difficult fingerpicking songs on guitar, it is a fantastic one to add to any repertoire or personal song book you might be accruing, mentally or literally, so friendly are the ukulele chords Let Her Go is comprised of. Perhaps if you learn the song… it will finally stop playing itself over and over in your head? Even if not, it’s still worth a try, no?
The Lyrics for Ukulele Chords Let Her Go
Given that the entirety of the song can be played with just five chords, it would be pertinent to explore the lyrics in more detail, though before we go on the chords will be detailed below:
The lyrics of the song are poetic and melancholic, describing the regrets associated with ending a relationship. The chorus describes situations in which one does not appreciate what he/she has until it is gone, and relates this to love. The verses give detailed scenes involving a heartbroken man dealing with his breakup. The song’s intro is inspired by the outro of the Red Hot Chili Peppers song ‘Slow Cheetah’.
‘Let Her Go’ is driven by a chorus which is repeated five times throughout the song. The second half of the final chorus is performed a cappella. Including acoustic guitar and vocals from Rosenberg, backing vocals, piano, drums, bass, and strings, the song is instrumentally diverse, and perfectly allows for performing on any instrument, including a ukulele. The song is performed in the key of G major, played with a capo on the seventh fret of the guitar. Rosenberg’s vocals span from D4 to the high note of E5.
The Actual Lyrics to Sing Along to
Well, you only need the light when it’s burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go
And you let her go
Staring at the bottom of your glass
Hoping one day you’ll make a dream last
But dreams come slow, and they go so fast
You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day, you’ll understand why
Everything you touch surely dies
But you only need the light when it’s burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go
Staring at the ceiling in the dark
Same old empty feeling in your heart
‘Cause love comes slow, and it goes so fast
Well, you see her when you fall asleep
But never to touch and never to keep
‘Cause you loved her too much, and you dived too deep
Well, you only need the light when it’s burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go
And you let her go
Oh, oh, mm, oh
And you let her go
Oh, oh, uh, uh
Well, you let her go
‘Cause you only need the light when it’s burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go
‘Cause you only need the light when it’s burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missing home
Only know you love her when you let her go
And you let her go
Final Tones
So, there you have it, the keys with which to unlock the door to one of the most pertinent number one hits this side of the millennium, to woo your friends and perhaps even a lover! Get amongst it!
