How to Play Movin’ Out Chords by Billy Joel on Guitar

“Movin’ Out” is a classic rock song by Billy Joel, released in 1977 as the first single from his album The Stranger. The song tells the story of various working-class characters who are dissatisfied with their lives and dream of moving up in the world, but end up paying a high price for their ambitions. The song features a catchy piano riff, a driving rhythm, and a soaring vocal melody that showcases Joel’s range and expressiveness.

If you want to learn how to play “Movin’ Out” on guitar, you will need to master some basic chords, a capo, and a strumming pattern. Here are some tips and resources to help you get started.

Chords

The song is in the key of D minor, but it uses a capo on the third fret to make the chords easier to play. The chords you will need are:

CHORDS
          E-A-D-G-B-e
Aaug/C#   x-4-3-2-2-x
Dmaj7     x-5-4-2-2-x
A7sus4    x-4-2-0-3-0
G/B       x-2-0-0-0-3
C#m7      x-4-6-4-5-4  (or C#m7-5  x-4-2-0-0-0 / x-4-5-4-5-x)
F#/A#     x-1-x-3-2-2
Bm/A      x-0-4-4-3-2
A7/C#     x-4(2)0-2-0
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capo 3rd fret
 
 
[Intro]
| Bm | Em7 | A Aaug/C# | Dmaj7 |
| Bm | Em7 | A Aaug/C# | Dmaj7 |
 
 
[Verse]
Bm                   Em7
Anthony works in the grocery store
A          Aaug/C#         Dmaj7
Saving his pennies for someday
Bm                 Em7
Mama Leone left a note on the door
           A           Aaug/C#    Dmaj7
She said, "Sonny, move out to the country"
 
 
[Bridge]
Bm                              E7
Working too hard can give you a heart attack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack
G                     A
You ought to know by now
Bm                        E7
Who needs a house out in Hackensack?
   Asus4        A7/C#         D
Is that all you get with your money?
 
 
[Chorus]
   G            G/B      A    A7/G   F#               F#/A# Bm
It seems like a waste of time,    if that's what it's all   about
Bm/A     G            G/B      C#m7  F#         [ Bm ]
Mama, if that's movin' up then I'm   ...  movin' out
 
 
[Interlude]
| Bm | Em7 | A Aaug/C# | D(maj7) |
| Bm | Em7 | A Aaug/C# | D(maj7) |
 
 
[Verse]
Bm                   Em7
Sergeant O'Leary is walking the beat
   A          Aaug/C#     Dmaj7
At night he becomes a bar tender
            Bm                          Em7
He works at Mister Cacciatore's down on Sullivan Street
 A              Aaug/C# Dmaj7
Across from the Medical Center
 
 
[Bridge]
         Bm                         E7
And he's trading in his Chevy for a Cadillac-ac-ac-ac-ac-ac
G                    A
You ought to know by now
    Bm                       E7
And if he can't drive with a broken back
   Asus4        A7sus4/C#     D
At least he can polish the fenders
 
 
[Chorus]
   G            G/B      A    A7/G   F#               F#/A# Bm
It seems like a waste of time,    if that's what it's all   about
Bm/A     G             G/B     C#m7  F#         [ Bm ]
 Yea, if that's movin' up then I'm   ...  movin' out
 
 
[Interlude]
| Bm | Em7 | A Aaug/C# | Dmaj7 |
| Bm | Em7 | A Aaug/C# | Dmaj7 |
 
 
[Bridge]
Bm                            E7
You should never argue with a crazy ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-mind
G                    A
You ought to know by now
        Bm                     E7
You can pay Uncle Sam with the overtime
   Asus4        A7sus4/C#      D
Is that all you get for your money?
 
 
[Chorus]
       G               G/B     A    A7/G      F#                 F#/A#  Bm
And if that's what you have in mind, yeah, if that's what you're all   about
Bm/A  G           G/B     C#m7  F#         [ Bm ]
 Good luck movin' up 'cos I'm   ...  movin' out
 
 
[Interlude]
| Bm | Em7 | A Aaug/C# | Dmaj7 |
| Bm | Em7 | A Aaug/C# | Dmaj7 |
 
 
[Outro]
| B | E | F# | B |
voc ad lib (repeat and fade)

Conclusion

“Movin’ Out” is a great song to learn on guitar, as it combines simple chords, a catchy melody, and a meaningful message. By following these tips and resources, you can play along with Billy Joel and enjoy this classic rock tune. Remember to practice regularly, have fun, and keep movin’!