The 4 Essential Chord Progressions For Lizzy McAlpine's 'Pushing It Down And Praying'

The song "Pushing It Down And Praying" by Lizzy McAlpine has quickly become a fan-favorite, not just for its brutally honest and intimate lyrics, but for its deceptively simple yet deeply resonant acoustic guitar arrangement. Released as a standout track on the deluxe edition of her critically acclaimed 2024 album, *Older (and Wiser)*, this song perfectly captures the feeling of emotional suppression and inner turmoil. As of late 2025, the song continues to be a major talking point for its candid exploration of desire and relationship conflict, making it a must-learn for any aspiring singer-songwriter.

This deep-dive guide provides the most accurate and up-to-date chord information for "Pushing It Down And Praying," offering both the accessible standard tuning version and the more complex Open C# tuning utilized by McAlpine herself. We will also explore the profound meaning behind the lyrics, which address the difficult subject of physical intimacy with one person while harboring deep, unresolved feelings for another.

Lizzy McAlpine: Biography, Career Highlights, and Discography

Elizabeth Catherine McAlpine, known professionally as Lizzy McAlpine, is an American singer-songwriter whose work is characterized by deeply personal, narrative-driven lyrics and a sophisticated blend of folk, pop, and jazz influences. Her rise to prominence is a testament to the power of authentic digital connection and raw talent.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Full Name: Elizabeth Catherine McAlpine
• Born: September 21, 1999
• Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Education: Attended Berklee College of Music in Boston before withdrawing to focus on her career.
• Genre: Indie Folk, Pop, Singer-Songwriter
• Debut EP: *Indigo* (2018)
• Debut Studio Album: *Give Me a Minute* (2020). This album, largely written while studying abroad in Spain, garnered significant critical acclaim for its raw storytelling.
• Breakthrough Album: *Five Seconds Flat* (2022). This album featured the viral hit "ceilings," which propelled her into mainstream recognition and earned her a Gold certification.
• Latest Studio Album: *Older* (2024). This project marked a significant shift in her sound, exploring themes of aging, self-reflection, and relationship changes. The deluxe version, *Older (and Wiser)*, includes "Pushing It Down And Praying."
• Notable Collaborators: Jacob Collier, FINNEAS, Ben Kessler.

McAlpine’s musical journey, from sharing original songs on platforms like TikTok and SoundCloud to selling out major venues, highlights her unique ability to articulate complex emotional landscapes, a skill perfectly encapsulated in "Pushing It Down And Praying."

The Standard Tuning Chords (Capo 1) for Easy Playability

For most guitarists, the easiest way to immediately start playing "Pushing It Down And Praying" is by using standard tuning with a capo. Placing a capo on the first fret simplifies the chord shapes while maintaining the song's original key (A-flat minor/G-sharp minor). This approach is perfect for beginners and intermediate players focusing on the vocal melody and emotional delivery.

Tuning: Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E)
Capo: 1st Fret

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

The Core Chords (Relative to Capo):

• Am (A minor): x02210
• F (F major): 133211 or x33211
• C (C major): x32010
• Em (E minor): 022000
• Gm (G minor): 355333
• Dm (D minor): x57765 or xx0231

The Main Progression (Verse/Intro):

The verse progression is where the song's emotional weight is carried. It cycles through a melancholic, descending pattern that perfectly mirrors the feeling of emotional weight being suppressed. The rhythm is slow and deliberate, often played with a gentle fingerpicking pattern.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

(Intro/Verse) Am – F – Em – Gm – F Am – F – Em – Gm – F 

The opening lines, "I'm in bed, layin' down, naked / He's inside of me," are delivered over this progression, immediately establishing the song's candid and vulnerable tone. The shift from Am to F to Em creates a sense of unresolved tension that is central to the song's lyrical theme.

The Pre-Chorus/Chorus Progression:

The chorus, where McAlpine sings the title phrase, shifts slightly to resolve the tension, though the emotional conflict remains lyrically dominant.

(Chorus) Dm – F – Am – F C – Dm – F – C 

This progression is a classic pop-folk structure that lifts the melody just enough to emphasize the song's main thesis: the internal struggle of being physically present but emotionally absent. The careful use of the C major chord offers a brief moment of lightness before the weight of the lyrics returns.

Diving Deep: The Advanced Open C# Tuning

For the purists and advanced guitarists looking to replicate Lizzy McAlpine’s exact sound and tonal quality, the song is actually performed in a non-standard tuning. This technique gives the track a unique, rich resonance and allows for open-string drones that add to the song's atmospheric quality. This method is a key factor in achieving the authentic sound heard on the *Older (and Wiser)* recording.

Tuning Details:

• Tuning: Open C# (Half-Step Down from Open D)
• String Pitch: C# - G# - C# - F - G# - C# (Starting from the low E string)

The Open C# Chord Shapes (No Capo):

In this tuning, the chord names are different, and the shapes are unique. This is where the song’s topical authority deepens, as it moves beyond simple strumming into the intricacies of McAlpine's songwriting.

• A#m (A-sharp minor): 990800
• F# (F-sharp major): 550500
• Fm (F minor): 440300
• G#m (G-sharp minor): 770600
• C# (C-sharp major): 000000 (Open)
• D#m (D-sharp minor): 220100

The use of this tuning is a signature move for many indie folk artists, allowing them to create complex harmonies and voicings with minimal effort. The open strings ring out, creating a sustained, melancholic backdrop for the delicate vocals.

Lyrical Analysis: The Emotional Core of "Pushing It Down And Praying"

The true genius of "Pushing It Down And Praying" lies in its raw, unvarnished depiction of a common but rarely discussed emotional dilemma. The song is not a simple breakup ballad; it is a confession of emotional infidelity and the painful act of self-suppression.

The Central Conflict and Intention:

The song directly addresses the internal struggle of being physically intimate with a current partner ("He's inside of me") while simultaneously being consumed by thoughts of another person ("I love him, kiss his mouth, prayin' / He can't see what I'm thinkin'"). This theme of emotional conflict is a recurring motif in the *Older* album, which often deals with the messy reality of growing up and navigating complicated relationships.

The phrase "pushing it down and praying" is the core entity of the song, referring to the act of denying one's true feelings and hoping that the emotional truth will remain hidden, both from the partner and from the self. It speaks to a deep-seated avoidance of confrontation and a reliance on hope over honesty, a common psychological defense mechanism.

Topical Authority and LSI Keywords (Entities):

To fully understand the song, one must consider its context within the broader Lizzy McAlpine discography and the surrounding musical production. The song's instrumentation is sparse, featuring McAlpine's vocals and acoustic guitar, supported by subtle elements like the vibraphone played by Taylor Mackall and the bass by Michael Libramento. This minimalist production choice by the production team ensures that the focus remains entirely on the lyrics and the emotional performance.

• Emotional Suppression: The central psychological theme.
• Emotional Infidelity: The core action described in the lyrics.
• Acoustic Confessional: The genre style of the song.
• Older (and Wiser): The deluxe album context.
• Vibraphone Texture: A key instrumental entity that adds a dreamy, melancholic layer.
• Singer-Songwriter Authenticity: McAlpine's signature style.

By mastering the chords and understanding the lyrical depth, guitarists can not only play the song but truly embody the raw, vulnerable emotion that has made "Pushing It Down And Praying" a powerful and enduring track in Lizzy McAlpine's evolving career.

Whether you choose the accessible Capo 1 method or the authentic Open C# tuning, the most important element is conveying the emotional weight of this complex, candid confessional.