Mastering The Guitar: Playing 'Traveling Alone' Like A Pro

Travelling Alone is a song by Passenger that was released in 2015 as the fifth song on Whispers II. It is an acoustic ballad that tells the story of a man and a woman who have both loved and lost someone, ultimately being left heartbroken and alone. The song has been played during the solo acoustic portion of Passenger's live performances. If you want to play Travelling Alone yourself, you can find the chords and tabs for guitar, ukulele, and other instruments online.

Guitar chords

To play the guitar chords for Passenger's "Travelling Alone", you'll need to know several chords. The chords used in the song are C, F, G, C7, Fm, G7, Am, F#, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, and B.

The song is typically played in the key of F, but can be transposed to other keys depending on your preference and vocal range. The original key of F has a relatively low range, so transposing up to a key like G or A may be more suitable for some singers.

The chord progression for the verse is as follows: C, F, C, F, G, C, C7, F, Fm, G, C, G. This progression repeats for each verse, with the lyrics changing slightly each time.

For the chorus, the chord progression is: F, C, C, F, C, Am, G, C, C7, F, F#, C, F, C. This progression also repeats, with variations in the lyrics.

C: x32010

F: xx3211

G: 320003

C7: x32310

Fm: xx3111

G7: 320001

Am: x02210

F#: 244322

C#: x46664

D: xx0232

D#: x68886

E: 022100

F: 133211

F#: 244322

G: 355433

G#: 466544

A: x02220

A#: x13331

B: x24442

Guitar tabs

To play the guitar chords for Passenger's "Travelling Alone", you will need to use several chords, including C, Am, F, G, C7, F#, D, and Am7. The song is played in standard tuning with a capo on the 4th fret.

For the verse, you will play a sequence of C, Am, F, G, C, Am, F, G, C, C7, F, F#, C, G, C. This sequence sets the foundation for the story-like lyrics, which introduce the theme of solitude and loneliness.

The chorus continues the narrative with a progression of F, C, F, Am, D, G, F, C, G, F, C. Here, the lyrics emphasise the depth of the character's emotions and their state of being alone.

The interlude echoes the verse chords, with a slight variation: C, F, C, F, G, C, C7, F, F#, C, G, C. This interlude provides a musical break while maintaining the song's overall structure.

The second verse follows the same chord progression as the first verse, allowing the story to unfold further. The lyrics continue to explore the character's experiences of loss and isolation.

The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, emphasising the sentiment of the song and leaving the listener with a lasting impression of the character's emotional journey.

Additionally, there is a guitar tab available for the song, which provides a more detailed description of the finger positions and strumming pattern. This tab includes hammer-ons, pull-offs, and other techniques to capture the essence of the song's melody and rhythm.

Song lyrics

"Travelling Alone" by Passenger is a song about two individuals who have loved and lost, ultimately being left heartbroken and alone. The lyrics describe the story of a man and a woman, both experiencing the pain of sudden loss and the resulting loneliness.

The song begins with the man, an Australian in a Scandinavian town, reflecting on his solitude and how it came to be. He is "kicking stones around the square," conveying a sense of boredom and aimlessness. The man recalls how he and his wife had travelled far from their home on the Gold Coast, only for her to leave him alone. He poignantly notes that he never felt such silence as when he was alone in his expensive hotel room.

The perspective then shifts to the woman, who has also experienced a similar loss. She laments being with a man for ten years, making plans for their future together, only to be "traded [in]." Her pain and bitterness are evident as she declares that "men are all assholes and life's a bad joke."

The chorus emphasizes the overwhelming silence that comes with being alone, comparing it to the sound of a bell or the rush of a train. It also introduces the theme of loving a shadow and trying to "catch the rain," suggesting a sense of chasing something unattainable.

The song continues to explore the emotions of loneliness, heartbreak, and the realization that sometimes, love is not enough to keep people together. It is a raw and emotional ballad, highlighting the universality of loss and the challenges of moving forward alone.

The lyrics of "Travelling Alone" are simple yet powerful, evoking a range of emotions and painting a vivid picture of the characters' experiences. The song's message resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the pain of loss and the long road to healing that follows.

Song structure

"Travelling Alone" by Passenger is a song with a simple structure that repeats the same pattern of chords and verses throughout. The song is in the key of F major, and the chords used are F, C, G, C7, Fm, and G7.

The song begins with an introduction that sets the tone and establishes the story being told. It then moves into the first verse, which introduces the narrator and the central theme of the song—feeling alone and heartbroken. This is followed by the pre-chorus, which builds up to the chorus, where the emotional impact of the song is emphasized.

After the first chorus, the song transitions into the second verse, which continues the narrative and adds depth to the character's emotions. The second verse is structured similarly to the first, with the same chord progression and a similar lyrical style. The pre-chorus and chorus are repeated, reinforcing the key messages of the song.

The song then moves into a bridge or instrumental section, which provides a change of pace and allows the music to shine. This section showcases the guitar accompaniment and creates a dynamic contrast within the song. Following the bridge, the chorus is repeated again, emphasizing the theme of loneliness and the impact of the character's loss.

To conclude the song, there is often a final verse or outro that provides closure to the story. This section may include a variation of the chorus or a reflective ending that leaves a lasting impression on the listener.

Overall, the song "Travelling Alone" by Passenger utilizes a standard verse-chorus structure with an additional bridge section. The repetitive pattern of chords and verses creates a sense of unity within the song, allowing the lyrics and melody to take center stage and convey the emotional journey of the narrator.

Song context

"Travelling Alone" by Passenger (real name Mike Rosenberg) is the fifth song on his 2015 album Whispers II. It is an acoustic ballad featuring two separate stories of a man and a woman who have both loved and lost someone, leaving them heartbroken and alone.

The lyrics begin with the story of an Australian man in a Scandinavian town or with a Scandinavian tan, who is missing his home on the Gold Coast. He is travelling alone because his wife left him, and he is now alone in an expensive hotel, reflecting on the silence that surrounds him. He is "loving a shadow and trying to catch the rain", unable to move on from the memory of his ex-wife.

The second verse tells the story from the wife's perspective. She walks out of the hotel, leaving her husband behind. She is bitter and heartbroken, laughing and crying as she declares that "men are all assholes and life's a bad joke". She reflects on her ten years with her husband and the lifetime of plans they had made. Despite having loved him deeply, she has decided to leave, feeling that he has "traded her in".

The chorus reinforces the theme of being left "travelling alone" after the end of a relationship. The lyrics "I'm loving a shadow and I'm trying to catch the rain" suggest that the singers are struggling to let go of the past and move on. The imagery of shadows and rain creates a sense of loneliness and sadness.

Overall, the song "Travelling Alone" explores the feelings of loneliness, heartbreak, and loss that can follow the end of a relationship. Through its lyrics, it captures the raw emotions of two people dealing with the aftermath of love and the challenges of moving forward.

Frequently asked questions