Looking for And So It Goes sheet music by Billy Joel? This deeply personal ballad is known for its restrained musical character, reflective lyrics and expressive harmonies. Its combination of simple chord shapes and carefully moving bass notes makes it especially rewarding for musicians interested in accompaniment and musical storytelling.
The two-page digital sheet music edition available from FreshSheetMusic is arranged as a Guitar Chord Songbook, with lyrics, chord symbols, guitar fingering diagrams and a short melody excerpt.
In this guide, we’ll examine the story behind the song, its meaning, F-major harmony, distinctive slash chords, guitar-playing techniques, and ways to adapt the accompaniment for piano.
Reviewed by FreshSheetMusic Editorial Team
This guide is based on the supplied two-page Guitar Chord Songbook score, SKU 79606. The printed chord diagrams, harmony, melody excerpt and formal sections were examined. Historical information was cross-checked against Billy Joel’s official website. Difficulty and practice recommendations are editorial assessments.
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And So It Goes Sheet Music at a Glance
| Song | And So It Goes |
| Artist / songwriter | Billy Joel |
| Album | Storm Front (1989) |
| Written | 1983 |
| Arrangement | Guitar Chords / Lyrics – Guitar Chord Songbook |
| PDF length | 2 pages |
| Harmonic center | F major in this arrangement |
| Key signature | One flat in the melody excerpt |
| Core chords | F, Asus4, Am, C, G |
| Special harmonies | C/B♭, F/A, Fm6/A♭, C/G, D/F♯, Gsus4, C/E, F/G |
| Structure | Intro, four verses, two choruses, interlude, outro |
| Difficulty | Intermediate guitar, editorial estimate |
| SKU | 79606 |
The Story Behind Billy Joel’s And So It Goes
Although “And So It Goes” appeared on Billy Joel’s 1989 album Storm Front, he had written the song years earlier, in 1983.
The song emerged from a period of personal and romantic uncertainty. In a retrospective interview, Joel described the emotional difficulty of writing and performing it, explaining that its subject matter could leave him struggling to sing.
Unlike the energetic rock and pop material found elsewhere in his catalog, “And So It Goes” is deliberately intimate. The original recording relies on restrained piano accompaniment, close vocal expression and a sense of emotional space.
The song closes the Storm Front album, creating a quiet contrast with the record’s more forceful material.
Sources: Billy Joel’s account of writing the song and official Storm Front album listing.
Why Was the Song Written in 1983 but Released in 1989?
The composition predates its commercial album release. Joel wrote it during the early 1980s, but the recording that became widely known was included on Storm Front in 1989.
It is therefore important to distinguish the song’s composition date from its album release date and later single release.
What Is the Meaning of And So It Goes?
“And So It Goes” explores emotional vulnerability, fear of rejection and the decision to love despite the possibility of being hurt.
The narrator describes an internal space where feelings can be protected from previous disappointment. As the song develops, that guarded position becomes harder to maintain.
The central conflict is between self-protection and emotional openness. Remaining silent may prevent immediate pain, but it can also prevent a meaningful relationship from developing.
By the final verse, the narrator accepts that another person cannot be controlled. Love involves allowing someone else the freedom to make their own choices, even when those choices may cause heartbreak.
Why Does the Song Feel So Sad?
The sadness comes partly from its unresolved emotional position. Rather than celebrating a guaranteed romantic outcome, the narrator acknowledges uncertainty.
The sparse original performance reinforces that uncertainty. Instead of dramatic orchestration, the music leaves room for the listener to focus on the words and their emotional implications.
What Does the Title Mean?
The expression “and so it goes” suggests acceptance of how events unfold, including situations that cannot be fully controlled.
In the context of the song, it can be understood as a quiet recognition that love, loss and vulnerability are intertwined.
Listen to Billy Joel – And So It Goes (Official Audio)
Before learning the arrangement, listen to Billy Joel’s recording. Notice the spacious phrasing, controlled dynamics and subtle changes in harmonic tension.
Official audio provided by Columbia Records on Billy Joel’s YouTube artist channel. Listen directly on YouTube.
Although this product is a guitar chord arrangement, listening to the original piano recording can help guitarists interpret the song’s delicate character and avoid an overly heavy accompaniment.
And So It Goes Guitar Chords: Complete Breakdown
The two-page score centers on F-major harmony but includes several chromatic and inverted chords that give the song its distinctive character.
The chord diagrams on the first page provide suggested guitar fingerings. Some shapes are more demanding than standard open-position chords.
| Chord | Notes / musical purpose |
|---|---|
| F | F–A–C; principal tonic harmony. |
| Asus4 | A–D–E; suspended color resolving toward A minor. |
| Am | A–C–E; minor color in the verse. |
| C | C–E–G; dominant-function harmony in F major. |
| G | G–B–D; bright secondary-dominant-related color. |
| F/G | F-major triad over G bass; creates a suspended dominant-like sound. |
| C/B♭ | C-major triad over B-flat; starts a descending bass gesture. |
| F/A | F major in first inversion, with A in the bass. |
| Fm6/A♭ | F–A♭–C–D with A-flat bass; chromatic minor-subdominant color. |
| C/G | C major in second inversion, with G in the bass. |
| D/F♯ | D major in first inversion, with F-sharp in the bass. |
| Gsus4 | G–C–D; suspended harmony resolving toward G. |
| C/E | C major in first inversion, with E in the bass. |
Why Are Slash Chords Important?
A slash chord identifies both the upper chord and the bass note. For example, F/A means an F-major chord with A as the lowest sounding note.
In this arrangement, slash chords are not merely decorative. They shape the bass melody and create smooth transitions between harmonies.
The Descending Bass Line
The chorus includes the following sequence of bass notes within its harmonic movement:
This descending chromatic motion produces a gentle sense of falling or release. The effect fits the song’s reflective lyrics particularly well.
The score contains additional chords between some of these bass events, so this is an analytical reduction rather than an exact continuous transcription.
Why Does Fm6/A♭ Sound So Emotional?
Fm6/A♭ introduces A-flat, a note outside the F-major scale. Its chromatic color contrasts with the brighter major harmonies surrounding it.
The movement from A natural in F/A to A-flat in Fm6/A♭ creates a subtle but powerful change in emotional character.
This is an excellent example of how voice leading can create expression without increasing volume or rhythmic complexity.
Understanding the Two-Page Score
Page 1: Melody, Chord Diagrams and Verses
The first page begins with a short notated melody excerpt followed by thirteen guitar chord diagrams.
It then presents the intro and first two verses, with chord names positioned above the lyrics.
The intro uses F, Asus4, Am, C and G, with F/G appearing in the second line of the written introduction.
The verses repeat related harmonic material, making them useful for developing consistent accompaniment patterns.
Page 2: Choruses, Interlude and Outro
The second page includes the first chorus, third verse, interlude, second chorus, fourth verse and outro.
The choruses contain the arrangement’s most interesting chromatic bass movement, while the verses generally rely on more familiar chord relationships.
The outro returns to the principal harmonic vocabulary and closes with the recurring title phrase.
Is And So It Goes Difficult to Play on Guitar?
We estimate an intermediate difficulty level for a guitarist attempting to preserve the score’s full harmony and expressive bass movement.
Some of the basic chords are approachable, but the more advanced inversions and chromatic voicings require greater control.
| Skill | Challenge |
|---|---|
| Basic chord changes | F, Am, C and G. |
| Suspended chords | Asus4 and Gsus4 resolutions. |
| Slash chords | Maintaining the intended bass note. |
| Chromatic voicing | Fm6/A♭ and related transitions. |
| Musical expression | Controlled dynamics and spacious phrasing. |
| Accompaniment design | Choosing a suitable picking or strumming pattern. |
Beginners can practice a simplified version using the primary chords, but doing so will omit some of the distinctive harmony printed in this edition.
How to Play And So It Goes on Guitar: 8 Practice Steps
- Learn the chord diagrams. Review each fingering on the first page and identify which strings should sound.
- Practice the intro slowly. Begin with F, Asus4, Am, C and G before adding F/G.
- Develop smooth verse changes. Avoid stopping between chord transitions.
- Isolate the slash chords. Play each bass note separately, then add the upper chord tones.
- Practice the chromatic bass motion. Move slowly through B-flat, A, A-flat and G while preserving the chord changes.
- Choose a gentle accompaniment. Experiment with light fingerpicking or restrained strumming instead of a heavy pop-rock pattern.
- Sing with the accompaniment. Leave space for the lyrics and use the short printed melody excerpt as an opening pitch reference.
- Record a complete performance. Listen for consistent bass movement, balanced chord tones and expressive phrasing.
Can You Play This Guitar Chord Arrangement on Piano?
Yes. Although this edition is designed for guitar, its chord symbols can also guide a pianist who already understands chord construction and accompaniment.
For example, F/A can be played with A in the left hand and an F-major voicing in the right hand. Similarly, C/B♭ places B-flat in the bass beneath a C-major chord.
However, the PDF does not provide a full piano grand staff or a complete piano arrangement. A pianist must develop the rhythm, voicing and texture independently.
Simple Piano Adaptation
Start by playing the written bass notes with the left hand and close-position chords with the right hand. Once the harmony is comfortable, experiment with wider voicings and softer dynamics.
For a complete written piano part, choose a dedicated piano edition rather than assuming the guitar chord PDF contains the original accompaniment.
FreshSheetMusic also lists a separate Piano, Vocal & Guitar edition of And So It Goes under SKU 56313.
Performance Tips for Guitarists and Singers
Keep the Accompaniment Intimate
The emotional power of this song comes from restraint. A light guitar texture will often serve the melody better than dense, continuous strumming.
Highlight the Bass Movement
Where slash chords appear, make the bass note clear. The descending motion is a major part of the song’s harmonic expression.
Support the Vocal Phrasing
Allow the singer to shape the lines naturally. Avoid filling every pause with unnecessary accompaniment notes.
Consider the Performance Setting
The song works particularly well in intimate acoustic performances, reflective recitals and vocal showcases where the lyrics can remain central.
Where to Download And So It Goes Sheet Music
The Billy Joel And So It Goes Guitar Chords & Lyrics PDF is listed at FreshSheetMusic under SKU 79606.
The two-page edition includes guitar chord diagrams, lyrics, chord symbols, a brief melody excerpt and the complete song structure.
It is particularly useful for guitarists, singers and musicians who prefer to build an accompaniment from chord symbols rather than read a fully notated instrumental part.
Review the current product details and printing permissions before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions About And So It Goes Sheet Music
Who wrote And So It Goes?
Billy Joel wrote both the words and music. The song was composed in 1983 and later released on Storm Front in 1989.
What key is And So It Goes in?
The supplied two-page guitar chord arrangement centers on F major and includes a one-flat key signature in its melody excerpt.
What are the main chords?
The arrangement uses F, Asus4, Am, C and G, along with slash chords including F/G, C/B♭, F/A, Fm6/A♭, C/G, D/F♯ and C/E.
Is And So It Goes easy to play on guitar?
The basic chord changes are approachable, but the complete arrangement is better suited to intermediate guitarists because of its slash chords and chromatic voicings.
What album is And So It Goes from?
The song appears as the closing track on Billy Joel’s 1989 album Storm Front.
What is the meaning of the song?
The lyrics explore emotional vulnerability, fear of rejection and the willingness to love despite the possibility of heartbreak.
Does the PDF include guitar chord diagrams?
Yes. The first page includes chord diagrams for the thirteen chord shapes used in the arrangement.
Does this edition include piano notation?
No. It is a Guitar Chord Songbook arrangement, not a fully notated piano score. Pianists can use the chord symbols to create their own accompaniment.
How many pages are in the PDF?
The supplied digital score contains two pages, numbered 14 and 15 in the printed songbook.
Where can I buy And So It Goes sheet music?
The Guitar Chords & Lyrics edition, SKU 79606, is listed at FreshSheetMusic.com.
Learn Billy Joel’s And So It Goes
Explore the expressive chord changes, descending bass line and intimate musical character of Billy Joel’s ballad. Use the two-page Guitar Chord Songbook PDF to develop your own thoughtful performance.