The Way It Was

The Killers - The Way It Was: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "The Way It Was" 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.

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Chords and Lyrics - Jump straight to the song's lyrics and chord overlay.
Chord Diagrams and Key Transposition - Access chord diagrams and learn how to transpose the key of the song to suit your voice.

Learn The Way It Was Guitar Chords and Lyrics by The Killers

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 "The Way It Was" smoothly on your guitar.

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

E                    C#m        G#m   A B
I drove through the desert last night
E              C#m                G#m A B
I carried the weight of our last fight
E                        C#m
Elvis singing "Don't be Cruel"
             G#m
and I wonder if you feel it too
      A               B
It's like we're going under.
C#m                    F#m
Somewhere outside the lonely
                 G#m
Esmeralda County line,
                    A                B
The question of my heart came to my mind:

Chorus:
        A        E
If I go on with you by my side,
        A      E      B           A
Can it be the way it was when we met?
            E                   B
Did you forget all about those golden nights?

Maybe a thief stole your heart
Or maybe we just drifted apart
I remember driving in my daddy's car to the airfield
Blanket on the hood, backs against the windshield
Back then this thing was running on momentum, love and trust
That paradise is buried in the dust

Chorus

F#m                             C#m
All of our plans are falling through.
F#m                                B A
Sometimes a dream, it don't come true.

Chorus:
    A        E
Darling. Darling
                     A
(If we go on can it be)
        A      E      B           A
Can it be the way it was when we met?
            E                  B
Did you forget all about them golden nights?
        A        E
If I go on with you by my side,
        A      E      B
Can it be the way it was?
              A               E
My heart is true, girl, it's just you
             B
I'm thinking of
                      E
Can it be the way it was?

Maybe a thief stole your heart.


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Guitar Chord Diagrams

C#m

F#m

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.

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Chords and Lyrics
Chord Diagrams and Key Transposition

If you are also interested in learning how to play "The Way It Was" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "The Way It Was" by The Killers.

The Killers - The Way It Was: Guitar Chords

Learn The Way It Was Guitar Chords and Lyrics by The Killers

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Guitar Chord Diagrams

The Killers Song List