Madonna - Live to Tell: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Live to Tell" on your guitar with our detailed chord guide and lyrics. 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.

Learn Live to Tell Guitar Chords and Lyrics by Madonna

This section will guide you through each part of the song, providing the guitar chords placed directly above the lyrics for easy playing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, these elements will help you perform "Live to Tell" smoothly on your guitar.

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

   C      Gm      C
I have a tale to tell
Sometimes it gets so hard to hide it well
I was not ready for the fall
Too blind to see the writing on the wall

Chorus:
   F
A man can tell a thousand lies
                       Am
I've learned my lesson well
        A#      F
Hope I live to tell
                   Dm7
The secret I have learned, 'till then
                       A#
It will burn inside of me

I know where beauty lives
I've seen it once, I know the warm she gives
The light that you could never see
It shines inside, you can't take that from me

Chorus:
A man can tell a thousand lies
I've learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secret I have learned
'Til then, it will burn inside of me

The truth is never far behind
You kept it hidden well
If I live to tell the secret I knew then
Will I ever have the chance again?

   A#            C               Dm7               Am7
I ran away, I'd never have the strength To go very far
                A#       C            Am7  A#
How would they hear the beating of my heart
              A#       C             Dm7              Am7
Will it grow cold The secret that I hide, will I grow old
              A#                   C                    Dm
How will they hear When will they learn How will they know

Chorus:
A man can tell a thousand lies
I've learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secret I have learned
'Til then, it will burn inside of me


The truth is never far behind
You kept it hidden well
If I live to tell the secret I knew then
Will I ever have the chance again?

Chorus:
A man can tell a thousand lies
I've learned my lesson well
Hope I live to tell the secret I have learned
'Til then, it will burn inside of me



You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

Am

Guitar chord Am

A#

Guitar chord A#

Am7

Guitar chord Am7

C

Guitar chord C

Dm

Guitar chord Dm

Dm7

Guitar chord Dm7

F

Guitar chord F

Gm

Guitar chord Gm

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 "Live to Tell" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Live to Tell" by Madonna.

Madonna Song List