“Closing Time” is Semisonic’s 1998 alt-rock anthem and one of the most universally recognized last-call songs of all time. The verses and choruses are wonderfully beginner-friendly — built on just four basic open chords (G, D, Am, C) that cycle through the entire song.
The bridge takes a dramatic turn into a new key with four barre chords, but everything else stays comfortably in open-chord territory.
The song’s closing line — “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” — has become one of the most quoted lyrics in modern pop, turning up at weddings, graduations, and quiet moments of transition.
The Chords You’ll Need
Main chords (verses, choruses & intro)
Bridge chords (all barre chords)
Chord Chart
Intro G D Am C G D Am C G D Am C Verse 1 G D Closing time Am C G D Am C Open all the doors and let you out into the world G D Closing time Am C G D Am C Turn all of the lights on over every boy and every girl G D Closing time Am C G D Am C One last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer G D Closing time Am C G D Am C You don't have to go home but you can't stay here Chorus 1 G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C Take me home Verse 2 G D Closing time Am C G D Am C Time for you to go out to the places you will be from G D Closing time Am C G D Am C This room won't be open till your brothers or your sisters come G D Am C So gather up your jackets, move it to the exits G D Am C I hope you have found a friend G D Closing time Am C G D Am Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end... C yeah Chorus 2 G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C Take me home Bridge Bb Ab Eb Cm Bb Ab Eb Cm Bb Ab Eb Cm G D Am C G D Am C Solo G D Am C G D Am C G D Am C G D Am C Verse 3 G D Closing time Am C G D Am Time for you to go out to the places you will be from Chorus 3 G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C Take me home G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C I know who I want to take me home G D Am C Take me home Instrumental G D Am C G D Am C G D Am C Outro G D Closing time Am C G D Am C G Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end
About the bridge (the song’s biggest technical hurdle)
The bridge modulates to a new key — Bb major — and all four chords (Bb, Ab, Eb,
Cm) are barre chords. This is by far the song’s most challenging section. If
barre chords aren’t in your repertoire yet, you can skip the bridge entirely
(it’s a relatively brief moment), or simply rest through it. The song’s
emotional weight is carried by the main G → D → Am → C progression, which
returns at the end of the bridge anyway.
Practice Tips
- The main progression G → D → Am → C is the entire song outside the bridge. Lock that 4-chord loop in and you can carry roughly 90% of the piece.
- The chord changes happen quickly — sometimes two chords per measure. Practice the full loop slowly first, then gradually bring it up to tempo.
- The bridge is the song’s biggest technical hurdle (4 barre chords in Bb major). Beginners can simply skip it or rest through that section — come back when barre chords are in your toolkit.
- The closing line — “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end” — is the song’s most iconic moment. Let the final chord ring out and give that line space.