Bruce Springsteen - Brilliant Disguise: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Brilliant Disguise" on your guitar with our chord guide. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

           A
I hold you in my arms
as the band  plays
What are those words whispered baby
             E
just as you turn away

I saw you last night out on
the edge of town
I wanna read your mind to know
just what I've got in this new thing I've found

Chorus:
           F#m     D A D A
So tell me what I see
        F#m           A  D A
when I look in your eyes
         F#m A E F#m
Is that you, baby
            D           A/C# E A
or just a brilliant disguise

I heard somebody call your name
from underneath our willow
I saw something tucked in shame
underneath your pillow
Well I've tried so hard, baby,
but I just can't see
What a woman like you is doing with me

Chorus:
So tell me who I see when I look in your eyes
Is that you, baby, or just a brilliant disguise?

     E
Now look at me baby
                 A
struggling to do everything right
            D
And then it all falls apart
      A
when out go the lights
            E
I'm just a lonely pilgrim
             D
I walk this world in wealth
                        A
I want to know if it's you I don't trust
                    E
'cause I damn sure don't trust myself

Now you play the loving woman,
I'll play the faithful man
But just don't look too close into
the palm of my hand
We stood at the altar, the gypsy
swore our future was right
But come the wee wee hours, well
maybe, baby, the gypsy lied

Chorus:
So when you look at me,
you better look hard and look twice
Is that me, baby,
or just a brilliant disguise?

Tonight our bed is cold
I'm lost in the darkness of our love
God have mercy on the man
Who doubts what he's sure of


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

A

Guitar chord A

C#

Guitar chord C#

D

Guitar chord D

E

Guitar chord E

F#m

Guitar chord F#m

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "Brilliant Disguise" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Brilliant Disguise" by Bruce Springsteen.

Bruce Springsteen Song List