Walk The Moon – "Shut Up And Dance" Chords & Guitar Lesson

If these 3 songs, "Just What I Needed", "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", and "Jessie's Girl" all had a baby… it would be this.

You only need a handful of chords to play it.

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Shut Up And Dance” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Shut Up And Dance? 

“Shut Up and Dance” was written by the members of Walk the Moon and two other songwriters, Ben Berger and Ryan McMahon. This seems to be a trend in the modern era – songs are written with an exorbitant number of writers. 

The song became a breakout hit for Walk The Moon in 2014, turning them from an indie-pop group with a cult following into a mainstream pop-rock success.

“Shut Up And Dance” was inspired by real-life events. The narrator (Nicholas Petricca, the band’s lead vocalist) was in a club in Echo Park, California, and it was taking forever to get a drink. He was frustrated because there was great music playing and he wanted to be out there on the dancefloor. His then-girlfriend, in a backless dress and beat-up red Chucks, abruptly invited him to dance with her. That’s what inspired the song’s title.

At its heart, it’s a song about being spontaneous and living in the moment. 

“Shut Up and Dance” was recorded during sessions for Walk the Moon’s second studio album, Talking Is Hard. The album was recorded primarily in Los Angeles, with producer Tim Pagnotta, who helped the band refine their sound into something brighter, bolder, and more accessible while still retaining their indie rock roots.  

Sonically, the song is heavily driven by rock guitars and synth-pop sounds. Upon its release, “Shut Up and Dance” became a massive commercial success. It climbed to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one on Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs chart, where it stayed for an extended run. 

It also topped charts in several other countries and became one of the most played songs of 2015 across radio formats. The track was certified multi-platinum in the United States and other regions, reflecting its enormous sales and streaming numbers.

The song received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, placing the band alongside some of the biggest names in pop music. It also won multiple Billboard Music Awards, including Top Rock Song, and was recognized by numerous year-end “best of” lists for its infectious energy and wide appeal.

One of the coolest things about “Shut Up and Dance” is how the song bridged musical worlds. It blended pop, rock, and new wave with a sound that set it apart from many other tunes during this time.  

The music video further amplified the song’s impact. Styled with bold colors, neon lighting, and fashion nods to the 1980s. 

Now, you may be wondering…

What is the tuning for Shut Up And Dance?

The tuning for "Shut Up And Dance” is standard tuning. Standard tuning is spelled: E, A, D, G, B, and E. 

Here are the strings:

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

All right! 

Now that you know the tuning for “Shut Up And Dance,” let’s next talk about…

Shut Up And Dance Chords

To play “Shut Up And Dance”, as recorded by Walk The Moon, you’ll need to know 5 main chords they are Db/F, Gb5, Db5, Ab5, and Bb5. These chords are primarily power chords. A power chord is a simple two-note structure built from the root and 5th of the major scale. Power chords are ubiquitous in rock and pop styles. 

Let’s take a look at a few ways these shapes might show up on the fretboard.

Db/F is an inversion of a Db chord. I play it on the low strings like this:

Gb5 moves just one note from the previous chord, like so:

Db5 shifts to a root on the 5th string like this:

Ab5 shifts Db5 one string set up (toward the sky) like so:

Finally, we have Bb/5. This chord is the same as Gb5, just shifted up the fretboard 4 frets, like this:

If you’ve struggled to understand the fretboard for RHYTHM and LEAD guitar, and want to discover the easiest and fastest way. Then get your hands on my free Fretboard Guide PDF right here now:  

Is Shut Up And Dance hard to play on guitar?

I would say playing “Shut Up And Dance” on guitar is going to require an intermediate to advanced skill level. The trickiest parts are the opening guitar riff (it’s quite stretchy in the fretting hand), the funky octaves, and all the syncopations in the rhythm. So, take your time with this one. 

What key is Shut Up And Dance in?

“Shut Up And Dance”, as recorded by Walk The Moon, is in the key of Db major. The primary scale used in the song is the Db major scale, which is built with the notes Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, and C. 

Let’s take a closer look at how all these chords relate in the key of Db major. Starting with…

Db/F

Notes: F, Ab, Db

Function: This is the I chord, the tonic of Db major, in first inversion. Placing the F in the bass (the major third of the key) creates a smoother transition to the next chords…

Gb5

Notes: Gb, Db

Function: This is a power chord built on Gb, which is the IV chord in the key of Db major. Because it omits the third, the chord is harmonically ambiguous. This is a big part of a power chord’s sound. They are often more about punch than harmonic clarity.

Db5

Notes: Db, Ab

Function: This is the tonic power chord, the I chord stripped down to root and fifth. Like all power chords, it avoids major or minor quality, but its function is unmistakably the “home” chord. 

Ab5

Notes: Ab, Eb

Function: This is the V power chord, the dominant in the key of Db major. Even without the leading tone (C), it still functions as a strong dominant because of its root motion and position in the key. In rock and pop settings, Ab5 creates forward momentum and often drives the progression back to Db5 – which happens many times in “Shut Up And Dance”.

Bb5

Notes: Bb, F

Function: This is a power chord built on Bb, which functions as the vi degree in Db major. Bb minor would be the full triad here, but removing the third makes the chord neutral in color. 

Putting them all together, these chords outline a very clear tonal center of Db major. The power chords and inversions create smooth bass movement and a strong, modern feel. 

All right!

That’s my theory breakdown. 

Next, let’s look at…

What is the strumming pattern for Shut Up And Dance? 

The main underlying groove for “Shut Up And Dance” is a driving 8th-note rock feel. In 4/4 time, 8th notes divide each beat into two equal parts, creating a driving, steady rhythm like this:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

The numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) represent the main beats in the measure, while the "&" represents the offbeats that add energy and momentum.

When counted out loud, it sounds like: 

"One-and, Two-and, Three-and, Four-and."

This gives a strong and consistent forward motion to the tune. Here’s an example of a “Shut Up And Dance” style strumming pattern:

Conclusion

To wrap it up, “Shut Up And Dance” is the best ‘80s song that came out in the 2010s. 

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

Jon MacLennan