R.E.M. - Leaving New York: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Leaving New York" 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 Leaving New York Guitar Chords and Lyrics by R.E.M.

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 "Leaving New York" smoothly on your guitar.

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

Em                   D#               C
It's quiet now, and what it brings is everything
Comes calling back, a brilliant night, I'm still awake
I looked ahead, I'm sure I saw you there
You don't need me to tell you now that nothing can compare

Chorus:
G                            D
you might have laughed if I told you
 C                          Am
you might have hidden the frown
     G                        D
you might have succeeded in changing me
C                          Am
I might have been turned around
     G                        D
It's easier to leave than to be left behind
 C                     Am
leaving was never my proud
 G                     D
leaving New York never easy
C                     Am
I saw the life fading out

Now life is sweet and what it brings, I tried to take
But loneliness, it wears me out, it lies in wait
And all I've lost, still in my eyes
The shadow of necklace across your thigh
I might've lived my life in a dream,
but I swear, this is real
Memory fuses and shatters like glass,
mercurial future, forget the past
It's you, it's what I feel

Chorus

Em                   D#                     Em
you find it in your heart, it's pulling me apart
                     D#
you find it in your heart, change.
   G                    D
I told you, forever, I love you, forever
(you find it in your heart, it's pulling me apart)
   C                       Am
I told you ,I love you, I love you, forever
(you find it in your heart, change)
   G                    D
I told you, forever, I love you, forever
(you find it in your heart, it's pulling me apart)
   C                       Am
I told you, I love you, I love you, forever
(you find it in your heart, change)

Chorus


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

Am

Guitar chord Am

C

Guitar chord C

D

Guitar chord D

D#

Guitar chord D#

Em

Guitar chord Em

G

Guitar chord G

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 "Leaving New York" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Leaving New York" by R.E.M..

R.E.M. Song List