Mastering The Soul-Crushing Chords Of Lizzy McAlpine's "Pushing It Down And Praying" (Capo 1 Guide)

The raw, emotionally devastating track "Pushing It Down And Praying" by Lizzy McAlpine has quickly become a standout song for its brutal honesty and complex emotional landscape. As of December 2025, this song, which was a late addition to the deluxe edition of her acclaimed album Older, continues to resonate with fans seeking a musical outlet for feelings of avoidance and emotional concealment in relationships.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential chords, the easiest way to play it on guitar (Capo 1), and delves into the profound, often 'sensitive,' meaning behind the lyrics, allowing you to not only play the song but truly understand the gut-wrenching story Lizzy McAlpine is telling.

Lizzy McAlpine: Biography and Musical Profile

Elizabeth "Lizzy" McAlpine is an American singer-songwriter whose work is characterized by its confessional lyrics, intricate acoustic arrangements, and a powerful, yet delicate, vocal delivery. Her musical style is often categorized as indie-pop, folk-pop, or contemporary singer-songwriter, drawing comparisons to artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift for her narrative depth.

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• Full Name: Elizabeth McAlpine
• Born: September 21, 1999 (Age 26 as of late 2025)
• Origin: Just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Education: Studied Songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston before leaving in her junior year to pursue her career full-time.
• Key Albums: Give Me A Minute (2020), Five Seconds Flat (2022), Older (2024), and the deluxe version Older (and Wiser) (2024).
• Breakthrough Songs: "Pancakes for Dinner," "Apple Pie," "Ceilings," and "Older."
• Musical Style: Emotionally raw, confessional, and vulnerable lyricism set against a backdrop of sophisticated acoustic and indie-pop production.

The Easiest Guitar Chords for "Pushing It Down And Praying" (Capo 1)

While some versions of this song utilize complex open tunings (like Open C#) or difficult barre chords, the most accessible and popular method for guitarists is to use a Capo on the 1st Fret. This transforms the challenging key into a much simpler set of standard open chords.

The core chords you will need are: Am, F, Em, Gm, C, and Dm. Remember, these are the *shapes* you play; the actual key sounding is one half-step higher (Bbm, F#, Fm, G#m, C#, Ebm).

The Essential Chord Shapes (Capo 1)

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• Am: x02210
• F: 133211 (or x33211 for an easier shape)
• Em: 022000
• Gm: 355333 (Often played as a barre chord, but you can use a 3-finger shape 355xxx if needed)
• C: x32010
• Dm: xx0231

Chord Progression Breakdown

The song’s structure is built on a cyclical, melancholic progression that perfectly underscores the emotional weight of the lyrics. The strumming pattern is generally a gentle, down-up-down-up fingerpicking or a soft strum, focusing on a steady, deliberate rhythm.

Intro and Verse Progression

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The verse is the heart of the song, establishing the main emotional conflict. The use of the Gm chord adds a unique tension to the otherwise simple Am-F-Em progression.

Progression: Am – F – Em – Gm – F (Repeat)

 (Am)I'm in bed, layin' down, (F)naked (Em)He's inside of (Gm)me (F)I love him, kiss his mouth, prayin' (Am)He can't see what I (F)see (Em)I'm thinkin' 'bout a (Gm)stranger (F)A stranger I have never met 

Pre-Chorus Progression

The pre-chorus builds the tension before the main chorus release.

Progression: Dm – F – C – G (or Gm, depending on the arrangement)

 (Dm)He knows nothing about (F)it, no (C)But I'm sure he (Gm)suspects 

Chorus Progression

The chorus is the emotional climax, where the title phrase is delivered. It maintains the core progression but resolves more clearly on the F chord.

Progression: Am – F – C – Gm – F (Repeat)

 (Am)I'm pushin' it (F)down and (C)prayin' (Gm)It goes away (F) (Am)I'm pushin' it (F)down and (C)prayin' (Gm)It goes away (F) 

Unpacking the Deep, Sensitive Meaning of the Lyrics

"Pushing It Down And Praying" is a masterclass in emotional vulnerability, tackling themes that are rarely addressed with such directness in popular music. The song was released as part of the *Older (and Wiser)* deluxe edition, fitting perfectly into the album's larger narrative about growing up, facing difficult truths, and the complexities of modern relationships.

The Core Conflict: Physical vs. Emotional Intimacy

The song immediately sets a scene of physical intimacy ("I'm in bed, layin' down, naked / He's inside of me"). The sensitive nature of the lyrics is not for shock value, but to establish a profound disconnect. The narrator is physically present and participating in a relationship, but her mind and heart are elsewhere, "thinkin' 'bout a stranger."

Emotional Avoidance and Concealment

The title itself is the central metaphor. "Pushing it down and praying" refers to the act of suppressing a difficult, painful, or potentially relationship-ending truth—the desire for another man. The narrator is actively concealing her true feelings from her partner ("He can't see what I see") and hoping that, through sheer force of will or 'praying,' the feeling will simply vanish. This avoidance is a key theme that ties into other tracks on the *Older* album, such as "You Forced Me To," which also explores relationship tension and difficult emotional labor.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords for Deeper Understanding

To fully appreciate the song, it helps to understand the context of McAlpine's musical world. The song's production, featuring collaborators like Taylor Mackall (vibraphone) and Mason Stoops (electric guitar), gives it a warm, intimate sound that contrasts with the coldness of the emotional subject matter.

Relevant Entities and LSI Keywords:

• Deluxe Album: *Older (and Wiser)*
• Emotional Themes: Emotional concealment, relationship avoidance, pining, vulnerability, self-sabotage.
• Musical Elements: Acoustic guitar, vibraphone, fingerpicking, complex chord voicings, indie-folk genre.
• Related Songs: "Ceilings," "You Forced Me To," "Older," "Like It Tends To Do."
• Technical Terms: Capo 1st fret, Am F Em Gm progression, strumming pattern, open tuning.

By mastering the chords and understanding the depth of the lyrics, you can connect with "Pushing It Down And Praying" on a whole new level, appreciating Lizzy McAlpine's skill in turning personal, sensitive struggle into universally relatable art.