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The Ultimate Guide: Mastering 'I Met You In The Dark' On Guitar (Lord Huron & James Arthur)

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Are you searching for the definitive "I met you in the dark" guitar lesson? The phrase is one of the most evocative and searched-for lyrics in modern acoustic music, leading guitarists to two different, yet equally beautiful, songs. As of this current date in late 2025, the demand for learning the signature fingerpicking patterns and simple chord progressions of these tracks remains incredibly high. This comprehensive guide will break down the two main contenders—Lord Huron's haunting "The Night We Met" and James Arthur's heartfelt ballad "Say You Won't Let Go"—providing you with the latest, most accurate tabs, chords, and techniques to master both acoustic masterpieces.

Whether you are an absolute beginner looking for a simple strumming pattern or an intermediate player ready to tackle complex arpeggios, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll cover everything from the essential gear you need (spoiler: a capo is a must!) to the specific finger movements that capture the emotional depth of these iconic tracks. Get ready to add two of the most requested acoustic songs to your repertoire today.

The Two Songs Behind The Iconic Lyric: A Deep Dive

The confusion surrounding the "I met you in the dark" lyric is understandable, as it is a key line in two major hits that are staples of acoustic guitar playing. To achieve true topical authority, we must master both. Here is a quick breakdown of the essential details for each song before we dive into the lessons.

  • Song 1: "Say You Won't Let Go" by James Arthur. This 2016 global hit features the line, "I met you in the dark, you lit me up." It is a classic four-chord song, perfect for practicing smooth transitions and a repetitive, melancholic fingerpicking pattern. It is an excellent choice for a beginner-to-intermediate guitarist.
  • Song 2: "The Night We Met" by Lord Huron. Featured prominently in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, this 2015 track contains the line, "I had all and then most of you, some and now none of you, take me back to the night we met." While the exact line "I met you in the dark" is part of the James Arthur song, the haunting, arpeggiated intro of "The Night We Met" is what most guitarists are trying to replicate when they search this phrase, due to its dark, atmospheric sound.

Essential Gear and Preparation

Before you begin, ensure your guitar is in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). The most crucial piece of equipment for both lessons is a reliable capo. Using a capo allows you to play the songs in the original key with simple open chords, which is essential for capturing the authentic sound and feel of the recordings.

Lesson 1: Mastering Lord Huron's "The Night We Met"

This is the song that truly defines the "haunting acoustic" sound. Its signature is the beautiful, repetitive arpeggio pattern that creates a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. The full version requires a bit of precision, but the chord shapes themselves are very accessible.

The Night We Met: Technical Breakdown

To play "The Night We Met" accurately and effortlessly, follow these specific instructions:

1. Capo and Tuning:

  • Tuning: Standard Tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E).
  • Capo Position: Place the capo on the 2nd Fret.

2. Chord Progression (Relative to Capo):

The entire song uses a simple four-chord loop for the Verse and Chorus. This progression is what gives the track its cyclical, dreamlike quality.

  • Em (E minor)
  • C (C major)
  • G (G major)
  • D (D major)

Pro Tip: For a richer, more accurate sound, try using the following variations: Em7, Cmaj7, Gsus4/G, and Dsus4/D. These open voicings add more texture to the fingerpicking.

The Signature Fingerpicking Pattern (Arpeggio)

The real challenge and beauty of this track lies in the arpeggiated picking pattern. An arpeggio is essentially a broken chord, where you play the notes of the chord one after another. The pattern is consistent across all four chords, but the bass note changes.

Basic Fingerpicking Pattern:

The pattern is often counted as P-i-m-a-m-i (Thumb-Index-Middle-Ring-Middle-Index) on the strings. For a simple version, focus on the following string sequence:

Bass (Root) String - G String - B String - High E String - B String - G String

  • On Em (Bass is Low E string): 6-3-2-1-2-3
  • On C (Bass is A string): 5-3-2-1-2-3
  • On G (Bass is Low E string): 6-3-2-1-2-3
  • On D (Bass is D string): 4-3-2-1-2-3

Lesson 2: The Easy & Emotional "Say You Won't Let Go"

James Arthur's "Say You Won't Let Go" is a phenomenal song for guitarists transitioning from basic strumming to fingerstyle. The fingerpicking pattern is more straightforward and repetitive than the Lord Huron track, making it a perfect intermediate step.

Say You Won't Let Go: Technical Breakdown

This song is known for its simple structure and heartfelt delivery.

1. Capo and Tuning:

  • Tuning: Standard Tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E).
  • Capo Position: Place the capo on the 3rd Fret to play in the original key.

2. Chord Progression (Relative to Capo):

Like "The Night We Met," this song is built on a simple, repeating four-chord progression that loops throughout the entire song (Verse, Pre-Chorus, and Chorus).

  • G (G major)
  • D (D major)
  • Em (E minor)
  • C (C major)

The Essential Fingerstyle Pattern

The fingerstyle pattern for "Say You Won't Let Go" is a driving, rhythmic arpeggio that is easier to maintain than the one in "The Night We Met." It’s a great exercise for your thumb (P) playing the bass note and your fingers (i, m, a) playing the higher strings.

The Pattern: P-i-m-a-m-i (Thumb, Index, Middle, Ring, Middle, Index)

For each chord, the pattern is: Bass Note - G String - B String - High E String - B String - G String. This six-note pattern is played once per chord.

  • On G (Bass is Low E string): 6-3-2-1-2-3
  • On D (Bass is D string): 4-3-2-1-2-3
  • On Em (Bass is Low E string): 6-3-2-1-2-3
  • On C (Bass is A string): 5-3-2-1-2-3

Simplified Strumming Pattern for Beginners

If fingerpicking is too challenging right now, you can play "Say You Won't Let Go" with a simple, effective strumming pattern:

Strumming Pattern: Down - Down - Up - Up - Down - Up

Play this pattern once for each chord in the G-D-Em-C progression. This acoustic strumming technique will capture the song's rhythm perfectly and allow you to focus on the chord changes and your vocals.

Advanced Techniques & Topical Authority Entities

To truly master these songs and build your topical authority as a guitarist, you need to understand the nuances that separate a simple cover from a professional rendition. This involves incorporating specific techniques and being aware of the musical entities involved.

1. The Night We Met: Time Signature Changes

One of the most unique aspects of the Lord Huron track is the subtle shift in time signature. While most acoustic songs are in 4/4, "The Night We Met" includes sections that briefly switch to 3/4 (waltz time) or a 6/8 feel, especially in the instrumental breaks.

  • Pro Tip: Don't just count to four. Listen closely to the original track. The arpeggio pattern is what drives the rhythm. Focus on the feel of the pattern (six notes per bar) rather than a strict 4/4 strum, especially when playing the fingerstyle version.

2. Chord Voicings and Texture

Both songs benefit from using open chord voicings that allow the notes to ring out, creating a rich, ambient texture. Experiment with adding your pinky finger to create sus2 or sus4 variations on your chords. This adds a layer of complexity without requiring you to learn barre chords.

  • LSI Keyword Entity: Arpeggio Picking: The technique of playing the notes of a chord individually, which is the foundation of both songs.
  • LSI Keyword Entity: Capo Transposition: Understanding that the capo acts as a movable nut, transposing the open chords (G, D, Em, C) into the song's actual key (A flat for James Arthur, F sharp minor for Lord Huron).
  • LSI Keyword Entity: Acoustic Ballads: Both songs fall squarely into the modern acoustic ballad genre, characterized by simple instrumentation and emotional lyrics.
  • LSI Keyword Entity: Fingerstyle Guitar: The broader technique that encompasses the specific arpeggio patterns used in these lessons.

3. Using a Pick vs. Fingerpicking

While the original recordings are fingerpicked, you can still achieve a beautiful sound using a flat pick. This technique is called Flatpicking Arpeggios. Use a light-to-medium pick and practice an alternating down-up picking motion to strike the individual strings in the pattern. This is often easier for beginners than pure fingerstyle.

Conclusion: Your Next Steps to Mastery

You now have the complete, up-to-date roadmap for mastering the "I met you in the dark" lyric on guitar, whether you are drawn to the haunting atmosphere of Lord Huron’s "The Night We Met" or the romantic simplicity of James Arthur’s "Say You Won't Let Go."

The key to success with both tracks is slow, deliberate practice. Start with the easy strumming patterns, then gradually introduce the fingerstyle arpeggios. Focus on the smooth transitions between the four chords—G, D, Em, and C—which are the building blocks of both songs. By mastering these two powerful acoustic anthems, you will not only add two incredible songs to your repertoire but also significantly improve your finger dexterity, rhythm control, and overall acoustic guitar technique.

Grab your guitar tuner, place your capo correctly, and start practicing the magic of these modern classics today. The emotional depth and universal appeal of these songs make them essential learning for any serious acoustic guitarist.

The Ultimate Guide: Mastering 'I Met You In The Dark' on Guitar (Lord Huron & James Arthur)
i met you in the dark guitar lesson
i met you in the dark guitar lesson

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