The ULTIMATE Start Me Up Chords & Guitar Lesson

Would you like to start something up?

A new relationship?

A new skill?

An exciting night out on the town?

Well, here’s an iconic rock song to get you going. 

Below I’m going to break down the guitar style behind it. You only need 4 chords and a couple of blues guitar moves to make it all happen.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Start Me Up” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Start Me Up?

“Start Me Up” was originally written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the two primary songwriters for the Rolling Stones. Their collaborations produced some of the band's biggest hits, and this song is no exception.

The lyrics for “Start Me Up” sing about energy, confidence, and the excitement of getting going — both literally and metaphorically. "Start Me Up" is one of the Rolling Stones’ most iconic songs. It was released in 1981 and was a part of their Tattoo You album. 

The song had an interesting journey before it become the version we hear now. It all started as a slower reggae groove but it didn’t feel quite right. Richards had recorded a different riff in 1978, which was eventually used in "Start Me Up." Once they sped up the tempo and put the finishing touches on it, the song took on a much more energetic rock vibe.

The song was also initially planned for the Rolling Stones' album Emotional Rescue in 1979, but they hadn’t settled on the final version. Finally, it was revisited and completed during the recording of Tattoo You. This is the upbeat rock version we know today.

"Start Me Up" was recorded at Pathe Marconi Studios in Paris, France, in 1981. Again, during the sessions for Tattoo You. These sessions were known for their spontaneity, and the band sorted from older demos and mixed these songs in with new recordings. 

The iconic riff that opens the song is built around a simple yet infectious chord progression. This paired with Charlie Watts’ energetic drumming and Mick Jagger's commanding vocal delivery, made it one of the most memorable openings in rock history.

"Start Me Up" was a massive hit, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of the band's most successful singles in the U.S. It became the band's first song to top the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group.

Not only that it’s been featured heavily in commercials, most notably in Windows 95 advertisements, bringing it to a new generation of listeners and solidifying its place in pop culture.

Now, you may be wondering…

What is the tuning for Start Me Up?

The tuning for "Start Me Up" by the Rolling Stones is open G tuning. Keith Richards uses this tuning quite often. 

Open G tuning for guitar is spelled out as DGDGBD.

Here are the strings:

• D (6th string, lowest pitch)
• G (5th string)
• D (4th string)
• G (3rd string)
• B (2nd string)
• D (1st string, highest pitch) 

Now that you know the “Start Me Up” tuning, let’s next talk about the…

Start Me Up Chords

If you want to play “Start Me Up” on guitar you’ll need to know 4 main chords they are C, F/C, Bb5, and F. We are going to combine these chords with some classic blues rhythm guitar moves. But first, let’s take a look at a few ways these chords can be played on the fretboard.

C is played with just the index finger in the fretting hand. Bar strings 5-2 like this:

F/C keeps the bar down (index finger) from the previous chord. But now, adds the middle and ring fingers into the mix as well like this:

Bb5 is a simple 2 note power chord. Again, played with just the index finger like this:

Finally, we have the last chord F, which is played with the index finger only as well. For this, bar strings 5-2 in 10th position like this:

Is Start Me Up hard to play on guitar?

There are a number of skills a guitarist must have to play “Start Me Up” on guitar. Things like having a solid foundation in rhythm & blues guitar, and also being comfortable playing in an open G tuning. This combination of skills and techniques can be challenging for many players. However, if you put in the right type of practice, you may potentially be able to play it.

What key is Start Me Up in?

“Start Me Up” as recorded by the Rolling Stones is in the key of F major. 

​​In the key of F major, the chords C, F/C, Bb5, and F all fit into the key in different ways. Remember – the F major scale uses the notes: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, and E. 

Let’s look at the chords in context:

F major (F):
This is the tonic chord of the key of F major (I). It is the home chord of the key and the most stable. However, “Start Me Up” does not begin on this chord, so it can seem tricky.

C major (C):
C is the dominant chord (V) in the key of F major. It has a strong pull to resolve back to the tonic (F), creating tension and a sense of wanting to return to the "home" chord. In traditional harmony, the V chord often resolves to the I chord, making C major an important chord in the key of F.

F/C (F over C):
This is an F major chord in second inversion, meaning it’s still an F major chord (I), but with C (the fifth of the chord) in the bass. The “/C” notation indicates that the bass note is C rather than F. While the chord is still an F major chord, the inversion creates a smoother or different bass movement in a progression. This comes into play during the main guitar riff. 

Bb5 (B-flat power chord):

Bb5 is a root-fifth power chord that’s not a full major or minor chord. However, in the context of the song, the full chord would be Bb. In the key of F major, Bb is the IV chord (subdominant). 

So that’s the theory, but all of that doesn’t mean a thing without a good… 

Start Me Up Strumming Pattern

The main underlying groove for “Start Me Up” is a driving 8th-note rock feel. Strumming 8th notes on guitar means dividing each beat of a 4/4 time signature into 2 equal parts.

To properly strum 8th notes, you need to understand how to count them within each measure. In a 4/4 time signature, each measure has four beats. When subdividing each beat into 8th notes, each beat is divided into two equal parts. This gives us a total of eight 8th notes per measure. 

To count 8th notes, you typically use the following syllables: 

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Here’s how it breaks down:

1: The downbeat (first 8th note) 

&: The second 8th note (also known as the "and") 

When counting out loud, it sounds like:

“One and, Two and, Three and, Four and”

When strumming 8th notes in “Start Me Up” I recommend using all down strokes. This will keep the rhythm driving.

Now, all of that above is about the basic feel for “Start Me Up”. But in Keith Richards uses a combination of 8th notes, rests, and also chord syncopations to create a driving and infectious groove. Here is an example of a “Start Me Up” strumming pattern in the style of Keith Richards:

Conclusion

To wrap it up, "Start Me Up" by the Rolling Stones is an iconic classic. It blends elements of blues, rock, and an energetic beat that has moved the world. 

Keep practicing, and if you want to learn songs way faster, better understand the fretboard, and not waste years spinning your wheels with guitar, grab my free fretboard guide here right now: 

Jon MacLennan