Chords + Lyrics | Lean On Me
Intro
| C Dm Em | F Em Dm | C Dm Em | Em Dm |
| C Dm Em | F Em Dm | C Dm Em | G C |
Hmm… hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm. Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm. Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm
Verse 1 (same as intro)
| C Dm Em | F Em Dm | C Dm Em | Em Dm Gsus4 |
Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all have sorrow.
| C Dm Em | F Em Dm | C Dm Em | G C |
But if we are wise, we know that there’s, always tomorrow.
Chorus 1 (same as verse)
Lean on me, when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.
For it won’t be long, ’til I’m gonna need, somebody to lean on.
Verse 2
Please swallow your pride, if I have things, you need to borrow.
| C Dm Em | F Em Dm | C Dm Em | G C (G A) |
For no one can fill, those of your needs, that you won’t let show.
Bridge 1
| C N.C (G A) | C5 N.C (G A) | C5 N.C (G A) | C5 N.C (G A) |
You just call on me brother when you need a hand, we all need somebody to lean on.
| C5 N.C (G A) | C5 N.C (G A) | C5 N.C (E F F# G) | G C |
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand, we all need somebody to lean on.
Chorus 2
Lean on me, when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.
For it won’t be long, ’til I’m gonna need, somebody to lean on.
Bridge 2
You just call on me brother when you need a hand, we all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand, we all need somebody to lean on.
Verse 3 (as verse 1)
If there is a load, you have to bear, that you can’t carry.
I’m right up the road, I’ll share your load, if you just call me.
Outro
||: Dm C | Dm C :||
Call me, if you need a friend (Call me) Call me yeah a-ha.
(Call me) If you need a friend (Call me) If you ever need a friend.
(Call me) Call me. (Call me) Call me.
(Call me) Call me. (Call me) Call me.
(Call me) If you need a friend (Call me) Call me.
(Call me) Call me. (Call me) Call me.
(Call me) Call me. (Call me).
Lean On Me Chords: A Simple Yet Powerful Progression
The simple yet compelling chord progression of Lean On Me by Bill Withers is in the key of C and follows a straightforward harmonic structure.
Verse + Chorus
We start by moving up the scale:
C (I) – Dm (II) – Em (III) – F (IV).
Then we move back down:
F (IV) – Em (III) – Dm (II) – C (I).
Instead of repeating this pattern, we then pause at Em and introduce a II – V progression:
C (I) – Dm (II) – Em (III) – Dm (II) – Gsus4 (V).
The second half of the progression mirrors the first, but with a twist as we resolve to a G:
C (I) – Dm (II) – Em (III) – G (V) – C (I).
These eight bars make up the chord progression for both the verse and chorus of Lean On Me. Here’s the full 8-bar chord progression:
| C Dm Em | F Em Dm | C Dm Em | Em Dm Gsus4 |
| C Dm Em | F Em Dm | C Dm Em G | G C |
Bridge
The only other part is the bridge, which is mainly without chords, just a bass line leading to C, or perhaps even C5, like this:
||: C5 N.C (G A) :||
The final two bars of the bridge feature a longer bass line, ending at chord V before resolving to chord I, like this:
| C (I) N.C (E F F# G) | G (V) C (I) |
And that’s all there is to the chords of Lean On Me. Simplicity is the key, making it sound like a hymn or a traditional song—something that has been around forever. Well, it certainly will be!
As we play along with the original recording, we’ll find that this is all done using A shapes on the guitar. Even though it sounds just right when playing along with Bill, it won’t work as a single acoustic guitar part.
To dive deeper into this, you’ll need the TAB. Here’s a link to that part of the lesson: Lean On Me – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Once you know exactly how to play the chords in Lean On Me (study that TAB!), a simple chord chart will be all you need to bring to the gig. Here’s one I’ve made for you.
Lean On Me Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Should you want to download this chart, here’s a PDF: Lean On Me chord chart PDF.
This chord chart was created using iReal Pro, here’s a link to that file: Lean On Me iReal Pro. Using this and the iRealPro app, you can change the key.
Lean On Me TAB | Course Preview
In the course, we explore how to translate the original piano part of Lean On Me to guitar. While it can be played exactly as written, it doesn’t quite sit right on its own — but understanding the source is the first step toward creating an effective guitar arrangement.
As a preview, here’s the piano part played on guitar. Try it with the original recording and it will make sense. Play it solo, and you’ll quickly hear why we need to adapt it further — but don’t worry, I’ll show you how in the course!
A Gospel Standard
Released in 1972 as the lead single from Bill Withers‘ second album, Still Bill, Lean On Me quickly became a timeless standard.
By that time, Withers had already gained recognition with his hit single Ain’t No Sunshine the previous year.
Lean On Me topped the charts, reaching #1 in both the U.S. and the U.K., and selling over 2.5 million copies worldwide. It was ranked in the top 10 songs of the year and sits at #208 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, marking it as a true classic.
The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, and it is one of only nine songs that have reached #1 with two different versions. The 1987 dance remake by Club Nouveau became the second to top the charts.
Other notable renditions include those by Michael Bolton, Seal, Beverley Knight, and The Glee Cast, all of which offer unique interpretations.
Perhaps most impressively, Lean On Me remains a staple in the repertoire of countless Gospel choirs around the world, regularly performed in their weekly services.
Check out all these versions in the playlist at the top of the page.
Lean On Me Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: Lean On Me (Bill Withers) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
