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14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?We analyzed 14,015 chord transitions and ranked the 100 most repeated ones. Even the first 10 will transform your practice routine. The top transition appears in 23% of all songs.

Jackson Browne - Running On Empty Ukulele Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on the ukulele and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsC, G, Em, D, Am
Strumming↓-↓↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

CCCGGEmCGD
CLookingoutattheGroadrushingundermyCwheelsG
CLookingbackattheGyearsgoingbylikeCsomanysummerfieldsG
CInsixty-fiveIwasGseventeenCrunningup101G
CIdon’tknowwhereI’mGrunningnow,I’mjustDrunningon
RunningCon,runningonGempty
RunningCon,runningGblind
RunningCon,runningintotheGsun
butI’mrunning Embehind
CGottadowhatyouGcanjusttokeepyourClovealiveG
CTryingnotto Gcon-fuseitwithwhatyouCdoto Gsurvive
CInsixty-nineIwasGtwenty-oneandICcalledtheroadmyGown
CIdon’tknowwhenthatGroadturnedontotheDroadI’mon
RunningCon,runningonGempty
RunningCon,runningGblind
RunningCon,runningintotheGsun
butI’mrunning Embehind
CCCGGEmCGD
EmEveryoneICknowDeverywhereIGgo
EmpeopleneedsomeDreasonto Cbelieve
Idon’tknowaboutGanyonebutme
EmIfittakesallCnightDthat’llbeallGright
EmifIcangetyoutoDsmilebeforeICleaveAmEmCD
CLookingoutattheGroadrushingundermyCwheelsG
CIdon’tknowhowtoGtellyoualljusthowCcrazythislifefeelsG
CLookaroundforthefriendsthatGIusedtoturntotopullmeCthroughG
CLookingintotheirGeyesIseethemDrunningtoo
RunningCon,runningonGempty
RunningCon,runningGblind
RunningCon,runningintotheGsun
butI’mrunning Embehind
CHoneyyoureallyGtemptme,
YouknowtheCwayyoulooksoGkind
CI’dlovetostickaroundDbutI’mrunning CbehindAmG
CYouknowIdon’tevenDknowwhatI’mhopingtoCfindGAm
RunningintotheDsunbutI’mrunning CbehindGAmG
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookDiscover the most-used three-chord combinations in songs and build real command on the ukulele.
14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?Master ukulele today with the 100 most repeated chord transitions from 14,015 analyzed.
ArtistJackson Browne
AlbumRunning On Empty
GenresRock
Year1977
KeyC
DifficultyEasy

How to play Running On Empty on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Jackson Browne - Running On Empty on ukulele requires 5 chords and 9 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Running On Empty uses these transitions most often: C → G (41), G → C (27), and D → C (10). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with C - G chord transition.

1. C → G chord transition

Ukulele C chord diagram Fingering: 0-0-0-3Ukulele C chord diagram
Ukulele G chord diagram Fingering: 0-2-3-2Ukulele G chord diagram

Switching from C to G:

  1. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on C string fret 2.
  3. Place middle finger on A string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 41 times.

C to G

2. G → Em chord transition

Ukulele G chord diagram Fingering: 0-2-3-2Ukulele G chord diagram
Ukulele Em chord diagram Fingering: 0-4-3-2Ukulele Em chord diagram

Here's how to move from G to Em:

  1. Lift your index finger from C string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on C string fret 4.

This transition appears in the section, played 8 times.

G to Em

3. Em → C chord transition

Ukulele Em chord diagram Fingering: 0-4-3-2Ukulele Em chord diagram
Ukulele C chord diagram Fingering: 0-0-0-3Ukulele C chord diagram

Switching from Em to C:

  1. While playing Em, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Lift your ring finger from C string fret 4 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 8 times.

Em to C

4. G → D chord transition

Ukulele G chord diagram Fingering: 0-2-3-2Ukulele G chord diagram
Ukulele D chord diagram Fingering: 2-2-2-0Ukulele D chord diagram

Here's how to move from G to D:

  1. Lift your index finger from C string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to C string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 3 to fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 5 times.

G to D

5. D → C chord transition

Switching from D to C:

  1. While playing D, first lift your index finger and middle finger.
  2. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the section, played 10 times.

6. D → Em chord transition

Here's how to move from D to Em:

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 4.

This transition appears in the section.

7. G → Am chord transition

Switching from G to Am:

  1. While playing G, first lift your index finger and ring finger.
  2. Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 4 times.

8. Am → Em chord transition

To move from Am to Em:

  1. Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on A string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on C string fret 4.

This transition appears in the section.

9. Am → D chord transition

Switching from Am to D:

  1. Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 2.
  2. Place index finger on G string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section.

Running On Empty chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Running On Empty.

  • Running On Empty includes 117 chord transitions, 9 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • Running On Empty contains 6 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how Running On Empty connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → D: 11%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → C: 25%
    • G → D: 24%
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookThe 200 most popular three-chord chains extracted from real songs. See which songs use each chain, learn the finger transitions, and expand your repertoire with patterns that actually matter.