The End of the World chords

Skeeter Davis

Song Key: Bb Major → B Major

Time Signature: 12/8

Tempo: 60 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Intermediate

Guitar Chords in A Major: A, Bb, Bm7, Cm7, C#m7, Dm, D6, Dm6, Dm7, Ebm, Eb6, Eb, Esus, E, F, F7, Fsus, F#7, F#m, Gm

Capo: 1st fret (to play with the video in Bb Major)

Arrangement Finger-picking Song Details
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
A Major Bb Major Barre V1 Bb Major Barre V2 bm7 C#m7 Dm D6 Dm6 Dm7 Ebm Eb6 Eb Major barre Esus4 E Major F Major barre chord F7 F7 Fsus4 F#7 F#m Gm
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
A Major-LH Bb Major Barre V1-LH Bb Major Barre V2-LH Bm7-LH C#m7-LH Dm-LH D6-LH Dm6-LH Dm7-LH Ebm-LH Eb6-LH Eb Major barre chord-LH Esus4-LH E Major-LH F Major barre chord-LH F7-LH F7-LH Fsus4-LH F#7-LH F#m-LH Gm-LH
Speed: x0.1

The End of the World

Capo on 1 if playing with the video.
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
              A            E         F#m         E
Intro: 12/8 | 1++ 2++   -  3++ 4++ | 1++ 2++  -  3++ 4++ |

   A                        Esus         E 
1. Why does the sun go on | shin-ing? -     |
   F#m                      C#m
   Why does the sea rush to shore?
   D6         Bm7           C#m7       F#7 
   Don't they know it's the end of the world?
          Bm7                      Dm6      Esus  E
   'Cause you don't love me a-ny | more /    /    / |
   
   A                      E
2. Why do the birds go on sing-ing?
   F#m                     C#m
   Why do the stars glow a-bove?
   D6         Bm7           C#m7       F#7       
   Don't they know it's the end of the world?
      Bm7           E         A 
   It end-ed when I lost your love
   
          D                             A
Bridge: I wake up in the morn-ing and I won-der
            Bm7                Esus E     A
        Why ev-'ry-thing's the same as it was
          C#m7                      F#7
        I can't un-der-stand, no, I can't un-der-stand
            Bm7                       Dm      Esus  E
        How life goes on the way it | does /   /    / |
        
   A                       Esus        E
3. Why does my heart go on beat-ing?
   F#m                       C#m
   Why do these eyes of mine cry?
   D6         Bm7           C#m7       F#7       
   Don't they know it's the end of the world?
      Bm7            E             A       F
   It ended when you said good - | bye  - (key change)|

       Bb                      Fsus           F
Outro: Why does my heart go on beat-ing? Hmm, hmm-mm
       Gm                        Dm
       Why do these eyes of mine cry? Hmm, hmm
       Eb6        Cm7           Dm7        G7 
       Don't they know it's the end of the world?
          Cm7             F             Bb    Ebm   Eb    F7    Bb
       It end-ed when you said good - | bye -     |    -     |  𝄑  |

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signatures:
    Bb Major – 2 flats (Bb, Eb)
    B Major - 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#)
  • Piano chords set: Bb, B, Cm7, Dbm7, Dm7, Ebm, Eb6, Ebm6, Ebm7, Em, E6, E, Fsus, F, Gb, Gb7, Gbsus, G7, Gm, Abm
  • Time Signature: 12/8 — Twelve eighth-note beats per measure
    This is an example of Compound Quadruple time, where each measure is divided into four dotted quarter notes, each subdivided into three equal parts.
    | ♩.  ♩.  ♩.  ♩. |
  • Metronome: ♩. = 60
  • Tempo: Moderately
  • Voice Range: D#3 - G#4
  • Chord Types in This Arrangement:
    • Major chords: A, Bb, Eb, E, F
    • Minor chords: Dm, Ebm, F#m, Gm
    • Dominant 7th chords: F7, F#7
    • Minor 7th chords: Bm7, Cm7, C#m7, Dm7
    • 6th chords: D6, Dm6, Eb6
    • Suspended 4th chord: Esus4, Fsus4

right handed guitarist

Finger Picking & Playing Tips

Picking Pattern: 12/8 | ↓↓↓ ↑↑↑ ↓↓↓ ↑↑↑ |

Finger Pattern: 12/8 | TI2  321  TI2  321 |

Notes: 12/8 | ♪♪♪  ♪♪♪  ♪♪♪  ♪♪♪ |

Count: 12/8 | 1++   2++   3++  4++ |

6 chords: All very easy to play, adding interest to the song.
The easiest way to play Eb6 is to barre the first 4 strings on the 1st fret with your first finger rather than using fingers 1 and 2 as charted. This leaves fingers 3 and 4 to play in a relaxed fashion without a huge stretch.

The final 3 bars:
Chords: | Bb - Ebm | Eb - F7 | Bb |
Ideal fret positions for these barre chords:
Bb:     fret 6 (E shape)
Ebm: fret 6 (Am shape)
Eb:     fret 6 (A shape)
F7:     fret 8 (A7 shape)

Capo: When you use a capo, treat it as your new nut. For example, an Eb major barre chord normally begins on the 6th fret from the nut.
With a capo in place, you simply count six frets from the capo instead, and that becomes your new starting point.

Intermediate Skill Level:
Due of the amount of barre chords required in this song, beginners may find it a little testing. No matter what key you choose, there are barre chords, and the key change doesn't help! 🥺

Chord Charts:
Make sure you check out all the chord charts above — they’re provided for both right‑handed and left‑handed players. If you’re a beginner who hasn’t tackled barre chords yet, let this be the nudge to start learning them. They open up the entire fretboard, and are a great addition to your toolkit. 🥳

Song Details:

The End of the World Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Composer: Arthur Kent
  • Lyricist: Sylvia Dee
  • Producer: Chet Atkins - famous country guitarist
  • Lyrics Begin: Why does the sun go on shining?
  • Genre: Country pop
  • Featured Artists: Skeeter Davis
  • Single:
    Recorded: June 8, 1962
    Released: December 1962
    B-side: Somebody Loves You, Blueberry Hill
  • Album: The End of the World
    Recorded: 1962
    Released: March 1963
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