Waiting On The World To Change
Last updated: 3/8/2026
🎤 John Mayer🎼 Key: D MajorLevel: Intermediatechords
Learn to play Waiting On The World To Change by John Mayer with these easy guitar chords and strumming patterns.
Guitar Chords
Key0
Size16
## Chords Used
D--Bm--G--A--Em
D Me and all my frBm iends,
we're aG ll misunderstoD od.
They sA ay we stand for notBm hing,
and theres no waG y we ever couD ld.
Now we see everD ything thats gBm oing wrong
with the wG orld and those who lD ead it
We just fA eel like we don't hBm av
the means to rG ise above and bD eat it.
So we keepD waiting,Bm
waiting on the worG ld to chaD nge.
We keep onA waiting,Bm
waiting on the woG rld to chD ange.
It's haD rd to beat the syEm stem,
when you're staBm nding at a disEm tance,
So we keepA waiting,Bm
waiting on the woG rld to chD ange.
Now iD f we had the poBm wer
to bring our neigG hbors home from waD r
They would have neA ver missed a ChBm ristmas
No more riG bbons on their dooD r
And when you trD ust your telBm evision,
What you gG et is what you gD ot
Cause when they owA n the informaBm tion,
oh, They can bG end it all they wD ant
That's why we'reD waitingBm
Waiting on the woG rld to changD e
We keep onA waitingBm
Waiting on the wG orld to changD e
It's noD t that we don't cEm are,
We just knBm ow that the fightEm ain't fair
So we keep onA waitingBm
Waiting on theG world toD change
And we're stillD waitingBm
Waiting on the woG rld to chaD nge
We keep onA waitingBm
Waiting on the woG rld to chaD nge
OneD day our generaEm tion,
Is gonna rBm ule the populEm ation
So we keep onA waitingBm
Waiting on the woG rld to chaD nge
Now we keep onA waitingBm
Waiting on the wG orld to chD ange
We keep onA waiting,Bm
waiting on the woG rld to chaD nge.
Waiting on theG world toD change
## 🎸 Song Overview & Key
"Waiting On The World To Change" is a reflective, melancholic song with a subtle sense of hope. It’s rooted in **G major**, a key that feels both warm and slightly tense due to the use of the Bm (vii) chord, which adds a jazzy, unresolved edge. The tempo is moderate—think around **90-100 BPM**—with a laid-back groove that leans into the song’s themes of frustration and longing. One interesting characteristic is the contrast between the open, ringing chords (like [D] and [G]) and the darker, more complex [Bm] and [Em] chords, which create emotional depth.
## 📐 Chord Progression Analysis
The song revolves around a **I-IV-V-vi** progression in G major:
- **[G] → [D] → [A] → [Em]** (and variations with [Bm]).
This movement creates a natural flow, with the [Bm] chord (vii) acting as a pivot between sections. The tension from the [Bm] resolves smoothly into [G], while the [Em] (vi) adds a bittersweet quality. The Roman numeral sequence (i → iv → V → vi) emphasizes the contrast between stability (I, IV) and instability (vii, vi), mirroring the song’s lyrics about feeling powerless yet hopeful.
## 🖐️ Fingering & Technique Tips
For **[D]**, use your 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the G string, 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the B string, and 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string. Keep your hand relaxed to avoid muting strings.
- **[Bm]** can be tricky for beginners—try using a partial barre with your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the G, B, and high E strings, then 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the D string.
- **[Em]** is straightforward: 0-2-2-0-0-0.
Challenging transitions are between **[Bm] → [G]** and **[Em] → [A]**. Practice these slowly, focusing on lifting fingers cleanly to avoid unwanted noise.
## 🥁 Strumming Pattern & Rhythm
Use a **soft, flowing pattern**: *down-up-down-up-down-up* with a gentle accent on the first beat of each measure. In verses, keep the strumming light and sparse, emphasizing the [D] and [Bm] chords. In choruses, add more momentum by brushing your wrist outward on the upstrokes. The time signature is **4/4**, with a steady, unchanging pulse that mirrors the song’s repetitive, almost hypnotic structure.
## 🎵 Song Structure Walkthrough
The song follows a **Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Bridge → Chorus** structure.
- **Verses** use the [D] → [Bm] → [G] → [D] progression, with a focus on the [Bm] chord’s tension.
- **Choruses** shift to [G] → [A] → [D] → [Em], creating a more resolved, anthemic feel.
- The **bridge** introduces [Em] and [Bm], adding emotional weight before returning to the chorus. Pay attention to the **[Em] → [A]** transition in the bridge—it’s a key moment where the strumming pattern should swell slightly to highlight the shift.
## 💡 Pro Practice Tip
Focus on **dynamic contrast** between verses and choruses. In verses, mute your strings lightly with your picking hand to create a “spoken-word” feel, then release the mute for the chorus to let the chords ring out. This subtle technique will make your playing sound more expressive and aligned with the song’s mood.