Tracy Chapman - Tell It like It Is: Guitar Chords
Learn to play "Tell It like It Is" 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 Tell It like It Is Guitar Chords and Lyrics by Tracy Chapman
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 "Tell It like It Is" smoothly on your guitar.
Em D Em D Say it, say it, say it Tell it like it is Say it, say it, say it Tell it like it is What breaks your heart C Am Em D Em D What keeps you awake at night C Am Em D Em D What makes you want to breakdown and cry Chorus: C But say you'll never turn your back Am Say you'll never harden to the world C Say you'll never try to still Am the rhythms in your breast C Say you'll never look at the evil Am among us and try to forget Em D Em D Say you'll tell it like it is Say it, say it, say it So everyone can hear Say it, say it, say it Tell it like it is What breaks your heart What keeps you awake at night How your anger and grief Make you want to cry out And tell it like it is Chorus: But say you'll never close your eyes Or pretend that it's a rosy world Say you'll never try to paint What is rotten with a sugarcoat Say you'll talk about the horrors you've seen And the torment you know And tell it like it is Say it, say it, say it So no one can forget Say it, say it, say it Tell it like it is What breaks your heart What keeps you awake at night What makes you want to break the ties that silence and bind And tell it like it is Chorus: Say you'll never cover your ears and close your mouth And live in a silent world Say you'll only run as far or as fast as you need to be secure Say that then you'll tell the truth When a lie could cross your lips And tell it like it is Say it, say it, say it. Say it, say it, say it Say it, say it, say it. Say it, say it, say it Say it, say it, say it. Say it, say it, say it Say it, say it, say it. Say it, say it, say it | TransposeReset Font SizeReset Guitar Chord DiagramsAm  C  D  Em  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 "Tell It like It Is" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Tell It like It Is" by Tracy Chapman.