Bring Me Back To Life: Miles Away Chords & Tutorial

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 52 views

Hey guys! Ever heard that song that just gets you, you know? The one that hits you right in the feels and you just gotta learn it? Well, for a lot of people, that song is "Bring Me Back To Life" but intertwined with another amazing song, Miles Away. So, let's dive into how you can play this awesome mashup on your guitar.

Unlocking the Chords for “Bring Me Back to Life”/“Miles Away”

"Bring Me Back to Life," originally by Evanescence, is a rock anthem that's been covered and reinterpreted countless times. And then, you have Miles Away, which brings its own unique emotional landscape. To make things interesting, many guitar enthusiasts like to mash these two songs up! Getting the chords right is the first step to nailing a great cover or creating your own unique version. Let’s break down the essential chords and how they fit together in the song structure.

Essential Chords

First, let's talk about the original "Bring Me Back to Life." The basic chords you’ll need include:

Em (E minor): A fundamental chord that provides a melancholic foundation. Strumming Em involves playing the open E string, then placing your middle finger on the second fret of the A string, your ring finger on the second fret of the D string. Make sure to avoid playing the high E string for that classic Em sound.
C (C major): A bright, contrasting chord that adds a touch of hope. For C, place your index finger on the first fret of the B string, your middle finger on the second fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the A string. Strum all strings except the low E string to get a full, resonant C chord.
G (G major): A powerful chord that drives the song forward. To play G, you can use a few different fingerings, but a common one involves placing your index finger on the second fret of the low E string, your middle finger on the third fret of the high E string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the B string. Strum all strings for a full, vibrant G chord.
D (D major): A chord that builds tension and release. The D chord is played by placing your index finger on the second fret of the G string, your middle finger on the second fret of the high E string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the B string. Strum from the D string downwards.

Now, for "Miles Away," the chords might include:

Am (A minor): A sad, reflective chord that sets a somber tone. Play Am by placing your middle finger on the second fret of the D string, your ring finger on the second fret of the G string, and your index finger on the first fret of the B string. Strum all strings except the low E string to get that quintessential Am sound.
F (F major): A chord that adds complexity and depth. There are a couple of ways to play F. A common method involves barring the first fret with your index finger and then placing your middle finger on the second fret of the G string, your ring finger on the third fret of the D string, and your pinky on the third fret of the A string. Strum all strings for a full F chord.
C (C major): As mentioned before, C provides brightness and contrast.
G (G major): Also, as mentioned before, G drives the song forward.

Chord Progressions

The chord progression for "Bring Me Back to Life" often revolves around Em, C, G, and D. Here’s a basic progression:

Em - C - G - D

This sequence creates a dramatic and emotional feel, perfect for the song’s theme. You can experiment with different strumming patterns to match the intensity of the original or add your personal touch. Try a simple down-down-up-down-up pattern to start.

For "Miles Away," a typical chord progression might look like this:

Am - F - C - G

This progression creates a more melancholic and reflective mood, which is characteristic of the song. As with “Bring Me Back to Life,” experiment with different strumming patterns to find what sounds best to you. A slower, more deliberate strumming pattern can enhance the emotional impact of the chords.

Combining the Two

Mashing up these two songs can be super creative. Try transitioning from the minor-heavy chords of "Miles Away" into the more driving progressions of “Bring Me Back to Life.” For instance, you could play:

Am - F - C - G (Miles Away)

Then transition to:

Em - C - G - D (Bring Me Back to Life)

This combination can create a dynamic and emotionally rich performance. Pay attention to how the chords flow together and don’t be afraid to experiment with variations and transitions that suit your style.

Strumming Patterns: Finding Your Rhythm

Alright, so you've got the chords down. Sweet! But a song is more than just chords, right? It's about the rhythm, the feel, the groove. That's where strumming patterns come in. Let’s explore some strumming patterns that will bring these chords to life.

Basic Strumming Patterns

For "Bring Me Back to Life," a common and effective strumming pattern is:

Down - Down - Up - Down - Up

This pattern provides a solid and driving rhythm that fits the song's rock energy. Try emphasizing the downstrokes to give the song more power and aggression. You can also experiment with adding palm muting to create a more percussive sound.

For "Miles Away," a gentler pattern might work better:

Down - Up - Down - Up

This pattern is simpler and allows the chords to breathe, fitting the song's more reflective mood. Focus on keeping the rhythm smooth and consistent. You can also try adding variations by skipping certain strums or adding ghost notes.

Advanced Techniques

Once you're comfortable with the basic patterns, try incorporating some advanced techniques to add flair and dynamics to your playing.

Palm Muting: Rest the side of your strumming hand lightly on the strings near the bridge to create a muted, percussive sound. This technique can add a lot of punch to the heavier sections of "Bring Me Back to Life."
Syncopation: Add some off-beat strums to create a more complex and interesting rhythm. Try adding an extra upstroke between the downstrokes in the "Bring Me Back to Life" pattern to give it a more syncopated feel.
Dynamics: Vary the intensity of your strumming to create dynamic contrast. Play softer during the verses and build up to a more powerful strum during the choruses. This will make your performance more engaging and emotionally impactful.

Tips for Mastering Strumming

Practice Slowly: Start with a slow tempo and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable with the pattern. This will help you develop accuracy and consistency.
Use a Metronome: A metronome is a great tool for developing your sense of timing. Practice strumming along with a metronome to ensure that you are playing in time.
Listen to the Original: Pay close attention to the strumming patterns in the original songs. Try to replicate the feel and dynamics of the original performance.

Song Structure: Putting It All Together

Okay, so you've got the chords and strumming down. Now, let's talk about how to structure the song. Understanding the song structure helps you navigate through the song smoothly and create a cohesive performance.

Typical Song Structure

"Bring Me Back to Life" typically follows this structure:

Intro: Often features a simple piano or guitar riff.
Verse 1: Introduces the main theme with a softer dynamic.
Pre-Chorus: Builds tension leading into the chorus.
Chorus: The most energetic part of the song, with powerful vocals and driving instrumentation.
Verse 2: Similar to the first verse, but often with slightly different lyrics.
Pre-Chorus: Builds tension again.
Chorus: Repeats the main theme with full intensity.
Bridge: A contrasting section that provides a break from the main theme.
Chorus: Returns to the main theme to close out the song.
Outro: Fades out or ends with a final statement.

"Miles Away" generally follows a similar structure:

Intro: Often a mellow guitar or piano intro.
Verse 1: Sets the scene with reflective lyrics.
Chorus: A memorable hook that encapsulates the song's message.
Verse 2: Continues the narrative with more details.
Chorus: Repeats the hook.
Bridge: Offers a different perspective or emotional shift.
Chorus: Final repetition of the hook to emphasize the song's theme.
Outro: Usually fades out with a lingering melody or chord.

Arranging Your Version

When arranging your version, consider how you want to blend these structures. Here are a few ideas:

Alternating Verses: Play a verse from "Miles Away" followed by a verse from "Bring Me Back to Life" to create a conversation between the two songs.
Combining Choruses: Mash up the choruses of both songs to create a powerful and emotional climax.
Using the Bridge: Incorporate the bridge from one song into the other to add a unique twist.

Transitions

Smooth transitions are key to making your mashup sound cohesive. Here are some tips for creating seamless transitions:

Key Changes: Be mindful of the keys of both songs. If they are different, you may need to transpose one of the songs to match the other.
Tempo: Keep the tempo consistent between both songs. Use a metronome to ensure that you are playing at the same speed.
Dynamics: Use dynamics to create smooth transitions. Gradually increase or decrease the volume to lead into the next section.

Adding Your Personal Touch

Alright, you've got the basics down. Now, let's talk about how to make this song your own. Adding your personal touch is what turns a cover into something special. So, let's dive into some ways to make your version of "Bring Me Back to Life"/“Miles Away” unique.

Vocal Style

Your vocal style is one of the most important ways to personalize a song. Don't try to imitate the original singer exactly. Instead, focus on bringing your own unique voice and interpretation to the song.

Experiment with Phrasing: Try changing the way you phrase certain lines to give them a different meaning or emphasis.
Add Harmonies: Create your own harmonies to add depth and richness to the song.
Vary Your Tone: Use different vocal tones to convey different emotions. For example, you might use a softer tone during the verses and a more powerful tone during the choruses.

Instrumental Variations

There are countless ways to add your personal touch to the instrumental aspects of the song.

Change the Tempo: Speed up or slow down the tempo to give the song a different feel.
Add Instrumental Breaks: Insert instrumental breaks to showcase your skills and add variety to the song.
Use Different Instruments: Experiment with different instruments to create a unique sound. For example, you might add a piano part or a string section.

Creative Liberties

Don't be afraid to take creative liberties with the song. This is where you can really let your personality shine through.

Change the Lyrics: Rewrite certain lines to make the song more personal or relevant to your life.
Add a New Section: Insert a new section into the song, such as a bridge or an instrumental solo.
Mash It Up: Combine the song with another song that you love to create a unique mashup.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Everything you need to start playing "Bring Me Back to Life" with “Miles Away” on your guitar. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and make the song your own. Experiment with different chords, strumming patterns, and vocal styles until you find something that you love. And don't be afraid to get creative and add your personal touch. After all, that's what music is all about! Now go grab your guitar and start jamming!