Calum Scott’s ‘You Are the Reason’ ushered in a fresh breath of emotion and depth in the pop music scene when it was released in 2018. The song is well loved for Scott’s soulful vocals, but as guitar players, we can certainly appreciate the intricate guitar work behind the scenes. It’s a standout example of how simplicity in strumming patterns can yield profound emotional impact.

In ‘You Are The Reason’, the guitar primarily follows the haunting piano melody which makes it accessible for beginner and intermediate players. The chord progression follows a simple pattern which echoes throughout the song, allowing listeners to anticipate the return of the familiar, comforting riff. The song serves as a great lesson on how restraint and simplicity in guitar playing can help elevate a song without overpowering the vocal melody. Rendering this song on your guitar could thus be an exercise in restraint and emotional modulation, creating a sweet paradox between simplicity in technique and complexity in expression.