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Pastime Paradise

Chords

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from 'Songs in the Key of Life' (1976)
Capo III
[Intro 1]
| N.C.        | F           |
[Intro 2]
|      F      Dm|      E      Am|
|      F      Dm|      E      Am|
|      F      Dm|      E      Am|
[Verse 1]
  FThey've been spending Dmmost their lives, living Ein a pastime Amparadise.
  FThey've been spending Dmmost their lives, living Ein a pastime Amparadise.
  FThey've been wasting Dmmost their time, glorifEying days long Amgone behind.
  FThey've been wasting Dmmost their days in reEmembrance of ignorance Amoldest praise. Tell me...
[Chorus]
FWho of Dmthem will Ecome to Ambe?
How maFny of Dmthem are Eyou and Amme?
[Bridge 1]
DissiFpation,   Frace reEm/Glations,Em/G  
consoFlation,   FsegreEm/Ggation.Em/G  
DispenFsation, isoEmlation, exploiDmtation, mutiElation.
MuFtations, miscreEmation, confirDmmation, to the Eevils of the world.
[Verse 2]
  FThey've been spending Dmmost their lives, living E7in the future Amparadise.
  FThey've been spending Dmmost their lives, living E7in the future Amparadise.
  FThey've been looking Dmin their minds for the E7day that sorrow's Amgone from time.
  FThey keep telling Dmof the day when the E7Saviour of love will Amcome to stay. Tell me...
[Chorus]
FWho of Dmthem will E7come to Ambe?
How maFny of Dmthem are E7you and Amme?
[Bridge 2]
ProclaFmation   Fof race reEm/Glations,Em/G  
consoFlation,   FinteEm/GgrationEm/G.
VerifiFcation, of reveEmlations, acclaDmmation, world salEvation.
ViFbrations, stimuEmlation, confirDmmation to the Epeace of the world.
[Verse 3]
  FThey've been spending Dmmost their lives, living E7in a pastime Amparadise.
  FThey've been spending Dmmost their lives, living E7in a pastime Amparadise.
  FThey've been spending Dmmost their lives, living E7in the future Amparadise.
  FThey've been spending Dmmost their lives, living E7in the future Amparadise.
  FWe've been spending too Dmmuch of our lives, living E7in a pastime Amparadise.
  FLet's start Dmliving our lives, living E7for the future Amparadise.
  FPraise Dmto our lives, living E7for the future Amparadise.
  FShame to Dmanyone's lives, living E7in the pastime Amparadise.
[Coda]
|(Am)       Dm|      E   Am   E  Am  

All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

"Pastime Paradise" explores the idea of endless distractions in the Western world, questioning whether they truly bring satisfaction or if we are working towards a better future. It can be understood as a comparison between a negative attitude rooted in a flawed past and a positive outlook focused on a perfect future, or as a critique of selfish materialism versus the rewards of a strong work ethic. This track from Stevie Wonder's 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life was notable for its innovative use of synthesizers to create a string section sound, augmented by a multicultural finale featuring a gospel choir and Hare Krishna chanting. Playing this song invites reflection on societal priorities and personal fulfillment.

AI-written from these sources:Pastime Paradise — Wikipedia ↗Stevie Wonder — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Pastime Paradise

by Stevie Wonder

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em/G

from 'Songs in the Key of Life' (1976)

Capo III

[Intro 1]

| N.C. | F |

[Intro 2]

F Dm E Am

| | |

F Dm E Am

| | |

F Dm E Am

| | |

[Verse 1]

F Dm E Am

They've been spending most their lives, living in a pastime paradise.

F Dm E Am

They've been spending most their lives, living in a pastime paradise.

F Dm E Am

They've been wasting most their time, glorifying days long gone behind.

F Dm E Am

They've been wasting most their days in remembrance of ignorance oldest praise. Tell me...

[Chorus]

F Dm E Am

Who of them will come to be?

F Dm E Am

How many of them are you and me?

[Bridge 1]

F F Em/G Em/G

Dissipation, race relations,

F F Em/G Em/G

consolation, segregation.

F Em Dm E

Dispensation, isolation, exploitation, mutilation.

F Em Dm E

Mutations, miscreation, confirmation, to the evils of the world.

[Verse 2]

F Dm E7 Am

They've been spending most their lives, living in the future paradise.

F Dm E7 Am

They've been spending most their lives, living in the future paradise.

F Dm E7 Am

They've been looking in their minds for the day that sorrow's gone from time.

F Dm E7 Am

They keep telling of the day when the Saviour of love will come to stay. Tell me...

[Chorus]

F Dm E7 Am

Who of them will come to be?

F Dm E7 Am

How many of them are you and me?

[Bridge 2]

F F Em/G Em/G

Proclamation of race relations,

F F Em/G Em/G

consolation, integration.

F Em Dm E

Verification, of revelations, acclamation, world salvation.

F Em Dm E

Vibrations, stimulation, confirmation to the peace of the world.

[Verse 3]

F Dm E7 Am

They've been spending most their lives, living in a pastime paradise.

F Dm E7 Am

They've been spending most their lives, living in a pastime paradise.

F Dm E7 Am

They've been spending most their lives, living in the future paradise.

F Dm E7 Am

They've been spending most their lives, living in the future paradise.

F Dm E7 Am

We've been spending too much of our lives, living in a pastime paradise.

F Dm E7 Am

Let's start living our lives, living for the future paradise.

F Dm E7 Am

Praise to our lives, living for the future paradise.

F Dm E7 Am

Shame to anyone's lives, living in the pastime paradise.

[Coda]

Am Dm E Am E Am

|() |

About Pastime Paradise Chords by Stevie Wonder

Learn how to play Pastime Paradise by Stevie Wonder with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Pastime Paradise chords”, “Pastime Paradise guitar chords”, or “Stevie Wonder Pastime Paradise 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 Pastime Paradise chords and for experienced players who want accurate Pastime Paradise lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, Dm, E, Am, Em/G.

FAQ — Pastime Paradise by Stevie Wonder

How do I play "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder 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 "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder free?

Yes. The chords for "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Pastime Paradise" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Pastime Paradise"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Pastime Paradise" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Pastime Paradise" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Pastime Paradise" by Stevie Wonder with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Stevie Wonder below.

What key is "Pastime Paradise" in?

The chords for "Pastime Paradise" show the original chord names (including C, F, Dm, E, Am, Em/G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.