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What It Takes

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Aerosmith - What It Takes
[Intro]
G D4 Em7 D C
[Verse 1]
GThere goes my old girlfriend, there's aDnother diamond ring.
And, uh, Emall those late night promiDses I Cguess they don't mean a thing.
So Gbaby what's the story? Did yDou find another man ?
Is it Emeasy to sleep in the bed that we made?
  DWhen you Cdon't look back I guess the feeling starts to fade aDway.
I Gused to feel your fire but now it's cEmold inside.
  DAnd you're Cback on the street like you didn't miss a beat, yeah.
[Chorus]
  BbTell me what it takes to let you Fgo.
  BbTell me how's the pain supposed to Fgo.
  BbTell me how it Ais  that you can Dmsleep, in the Dm/Cnight
Without tDm/Bhinking you lost ev'rything that was good in your
life to the toss of the dice?Bb,  Tell me what it Dbtakes to let you goF,  yeah.
[Verse 2]
GGirl before I met you I was DF.I.N.E, fine
EmBut your love made me a prisDoner, Cyeah my heart's been doing time.
You Gspent me up like money then Dyou hung me out to dry.
EmIt was easy to keep all your lies in disguise,
D'Cause you Chad me in deep with the devil in your eyes.D  
[Chorus]
  BbTell me what it takes to let you Fgo.
  BbTell me how's the pain supposed to Fgo.
  BbTell me how it Ais  that you can Dmsleep, in the Dm/Cnight
Without tDm/Bhinking you lost ev'rything that was good in your
life to the toss of the dice?Bb,  Tell me what it Dbtakes to let you goF... Guitar!
[Solo]
C  Dm  Bb  F
C  Dm  Bb
[Bridge]
  CTell me that you're happy that you're on your Gown. Yeah, yeah
BbYeah, tell me that is better when you're all Falone.
FmTell me that your body doesn't mEbiss my Dbtouch.
Tell me that my loving didn't mean that mAbuch.
Tell me you ain't dying when you're crying foCr me.
 BbTell me what it takes to let you . . .
. . . everything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice.
BbTell me who's to bDblame for thinking twicFe.    E7No, no no no.
[Outro]
 Bb'Cause I don't wanna Dbburn in paradiFse.    ODmh
 BbLet go, let go, let go  FI don't wanna burn in paradise.
Let it Dmgo, let it go, let it go . Bb. .      F(one million times, fading)

All chords in this song (17)

The story behind the song

This song delves into the emotional aftermath of a broken relationship, exploring the process of healing from the hurt and moving on. While it shares the power ballad style with previous works, the band consciously aimed for a distinct identity, incorporating an accordion to give the track a unique flavor. At its heart, "What It Takes" is a journey through personal recovery and finding strength after heartbreak.

AI-written from these sources:What It Takes (Aerosmith song) — Wikipedia ↗Aerosmith — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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What It Takes

by Aerosmith

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em7

Dm/C

Dm/B

Aerosmith - What It Takes

[Intro]

G D4 Em7 D C

[Verse 1]

G D

There goes my old girlfriend, there's another diamond ring.

Em D C

And, uh, all those late night promises I guess they don't mean a thing.

G D

So baby what's the story? Did you find another man ?

Is it easy to sleep in the bed that we made?

D C D

When you don't look back I guess the feeling starts to fade away.

G Em

I used to feel your fire but now it's cold inside.

D C

And you're back on the street like you didn't miss a beat, yeah.

[Chorus]

Bb F

Tell me what it takes to let you go.

Bb F

Tell me how's the pain supposed to go.

Bb A Dm Dm/C

Tell me how it is that you can sleep, in the night

Dm/B

Without thinking you lost ev'rything that was good in your

Bb Db F

life to the toss of the dice?, Tell me what it takes to let you go, yeah.

[Verse 2]

G D

Girl before I met you I was F.I.N.E, fine

Em D C

But your love made me a prisoner, yeah my heart's been doing time.

G D

You spent me up like money then you hung me out to dry.

It was easy to keep all your lies in disguise,

D C D

'Cause you had me in deep with the devil in your eyes.

[Chorus]

Bb F

Tell me what it takes to let you go.

Bb F

Tell me how's the pain supposed to go.

Bb A Dm Dm/C

Tell me how it is that you can sleep, in the night

Dm/B

Without thinking you lost ev'rything that was good in your

Bb Db F

life to the toss of the dice?, Tell me what it takes to let you go... Guitar!

[Solo]

C Dm Bb F

C Dm Bb

[Bridge]

C G

Tell me that you're happy that you're on your own. Yeah, yeah

Bb F

Yeah, tell me that is better when you're all alone.

Fm Eb Db

Tell me that your body doesn't miss my touch.

Tell me that my loving didn't mean that much.

Tell me you ain't dying when you're crying for me.

Tell me what it takes to let you . . .

. . . everything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice.

Bb Db F E7

Tell me who's to blame for thinking twice. No, no no no.

[Outro]

Bb Db F Dm

'Cause I don't wanna burn in paradise. Oh

Bb F

Let go, let go, let go I don't wanna burn in paradise.

Dm Bb F

Let it go, let it go, let it go . . . (one million times, fading)

About What It Takes Chords by Aerosmith

Learn how to play What It Takes by Aerosmith with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “What It Takes chords”, “What It Takes guitar chords”, or “Aerosmith What It Takes chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy What It Takes chords and for experienced players who want accurate What It Takes lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D4, Em7, D, C, Em.

FAQ — What It Takes by Aerosmith

How do I play "What It Takes" by Aerosmith on guitar?

Open the free chords for "What It Takes" by Aerosmith on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "What It Takes" by Aerosmith free?

Yes. The chords for "What It Takes" by Aerosmith are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "What It Takes" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "What It Takes" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "What It Takes"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "What It Takes" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "What It Takes" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "What It Takes" by Aerosmith with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Aerosmith below.

What key is "What It Takes" in?

The chords for "What It Takes" show the original chord names (including G, D4, Em7, D, C, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.