Owl City - Tidal Wave: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Tidal Wave" 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.

E                       B                     E
I wish I could cross my arms, and cross your mind
                         B              F#
Cause I believe you'd unfold your paper heart
                      E
and wear it on your sleeve
                            B
All my life I wish I broke mirrors,
                 E
instead of promises
                      G#m
Cause all I see, is a shattered conscience
F#
staring right back at me

I wish I had covered all my tracks completely
'cause I'm so afraid
Is that the light at the far end of the
tunnel or just the train?
Lift your arms, only heaven knows where
the danger grows
And it's safe to say there's a
bright light up ahead and help is on the way

E                   B                  F#
(Help is on the way, Help is on the way,
Help is on the way...)
Help is on the way

Chorus:
E             B                F#
I forget the last time I felt brave
(I just recall insecurity)
E                   B            F#
Cause it came down like a tidal wave
(And sorrow swept over me)

Depression, please cut to the chase
and cut a long story short
Oh, please be done; how much longer
can this drama afford to run?
Fate looks sharp, severs all my ties
And breaks whatever doesn't bend
But sadly then, all my heavy hopes
just pull me back down again
Back down again
Back down again
Back down again
Back down again
Back down again
Back down again
Back down again

Chorus:
I forget the last time I felt brave,
I just recall insecurity
'Cause it came down like a tidal wave,
and sorrow swept over me
Then I was given grace and love;
I was blind, but now I can see
'Cause I found a new hope from above,
and courage swept over me

It hurts just to wake up, whenever you're
wearing thin
Alone on the outside, so tired of looking in
The end is uncertain and I've never been
so afraid
But I don't need a telescope to see that
there's hope
And that makes me feel brave





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Guitar Chord Diagrams

B

Guitar chord B

E

Guitar chord E

F#

Guitar chord F#

G#m

Guitar chord G#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 "Tidal Wave" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Tidal Wave" by Owl City.