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An Innocent Man

Chords

4.7330 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Studio Version, for live version drop down a full step.
[Intro]
|  C| % | % | % |
[Verse 1]
CSome people stay far away from the door
If there's a cDmhance of it opening up
FThey hear a voice in the hGall outside
And hope that it just passes Cby
CSome people live with the fear of a touch
And the aDmnger of having been a fool
FThey will not listen to aGnyone
So nobody tells them a lCie
[Refrain]
   Gm7I know you're only protC/Gecting yourself
   Bb/FI know you're thinking of soFmebody else
   GN.C.
   Someone who hurt you
[Verse 2]
But CI'm not above making up for the love
You've been deDmnying you could ever feel
FI'm not above doing aGnything
To restore your faith if I cCan
CSome people see through the eyes of the old
Before they eDmver get a look at the young
FI'm only willing to Ghear you cry
Because I am an innocent Cman
[Interlude]
|  C   F/C   C|  F/A   G/B|  C   F/C   C| F/D  
[Chorus]
 C/EI   Fam an innocent Bb/FmanF  
 GOh yes I Cam
[Interlude]
|  C| % | % | % |
[Verse 3]
CSome people say they will never believe
Another pDmromise they hear in the dark
FBecause they only remGember too well
They heard somebody tell them befCore
CSome people sleep all alone every night
Instead of tDmaking a lover to bed
FSome people find that it's eGasier to hate
Than to wait anymoCre
[Refrain]
   Gm7I know you don't want to C/Ghear what I say
   Bb/FI know you're gonna keep tuFrning away
  GN.C.
   But I've been there and if 
[Verse 4]
CI can survive I can keep you alive
I'm not abDmove going through it again
FI'm not above being cGool for a while
If you're cruel to me I'll understaCnd
CSome people run from a possible fight
Some people fiDmgure they can never win
FAnd although this is a fGight I can lose
The accused is an innocent mCan
[Interlude]
|  C   F/C   C|  F/A   G/B|  C   F/C   C| F/D  
[Chorus]
 C/EI   Fam an innocent Bb/FmanF  
 GOh yes I CamF/C  C  
    F/A      G/B      C   C   F/C   C|  F/D  C/E  
  An innocent man
[Refrain]
   Gm7N.C.                       CN.C.
   You know you only hurt yourself out of spite
   Bb/FI guess you'd rather be a mFartyr tonight
 GN.C.
   That's your decision 
[Verse 5]
N.C. C  
But I'm not below anybody I know
If there's a cDmhance of resurrecting a love
FI'm not above going baGck to the start
To find out where the heartache begCan
CSome people hope for a miracle cure
Some people juDmst accept the world as it is
FBut I'm not willing to lGay down and die
Because I am an innocent maCn
[Interlude]
|  C   F/C   C|  F/A   G/B|  C   F/C   C| F/D  
[Chorus]
 C/EI   Fam an innocent Bb/FmanF  
 GOh yes I CamF/C  C  
  F/AAn inG/Bnocent CmanC  F/C  C  
  F/D    C/E     C    G|  % |
Oh   oh   oh  oh
[Outro]
|  C| % | % | % | %

All chords in this song (12)

The story behind the song

"An Innocent Man" is a soulful song that pays homage to the musical styles of artists like Ben E. King and The Drifters. The lyrics are considered to be among Billy Joel's deepest, suggesting a profound emotional core to the track. It features high notes that Joel himself noted would be his last time hitting them, making it a powerful vocal performance. The song, from his 1983 album of the same name, plays like a poignant reflection on vulnerability and sincerity.

AI-written from these sources:An Innocent Man (song) — Wikipedia ↗List of Billy Joel band members — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

An Innocent Man

by Billy Joel

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gm7

C/G

Bb/F

F/C

F/A

G/B

F/D

C/E

Studio Version, for live version drop down a full step.

[Intro]

| | % | % | % |

[Verse 1]

Some people stay far away from the door

If there's a chance of it opening up

F G

They hear a voice in the hall outside

And hope that it just passes by

Some people live with the fear of a touch

And the anger of having been a fool

F G

They will not listen to anyone

So nobody tells them a lie

[Refrain]

Gm7 C/G

I know you're only protecting yourself

Bb/F F

I know you're thinking of somebody else

N.C.

Someone who hurt you

[Verse 2]

But I'm not above making up for the love

You've been denying you could ever feel

F G

I'm not above doing anything

To restore your faith if I can

Some people see through the eyes of the old

Before they ever get a look at the young

F G

I'm only willing to hear you cry

Because I am an innocent man

[Interlude]

C F/C C F/A G/B C F/C C F/D

| | | |

[Chorus]

C/E F Bb/F F

I am an innocent man

G C

Oh yes I am

[Interlude]

| | % | % | % |

[Verse 3]

Some people say they will never believe

Another promise they hear in the dark

F G

Because they only remember too well

They heard somebody tell them before

Some people sleep all alone every night

Instead of taking a lover to bed

F G

Some people find that it's easier to hate

Than to wait anymore

[Refrain]

Gm7 C/G

I know you don't want to hear what I say

Bb/F F

I know you're gonna keep turning away

N.C.

But I've been there and if

[Verse 4]

I can survive I can keep you alive

I'm not above going through it again

F G

I'm not above being cool for a while

If you're cruel to me I'll understand

Some people run from a possible fight

Some people figure they can never win

F G

And although this is a fight I can lose

The accused is an innocent man

[Interlude]

C F/C C F/A G/B C F/C C F/D

| | | |

[Chorus]

C/E F Bb/F F

I am an innocent man

G C F/C C

Oh yes I am

F/A G/B C C F/C C F/D C/E

An innocent man

[Refrain]

Gm7 C

N.C. N.C.

You know you only hurt yourself out of spite

Bb/F F

I guess you'd rather be a martyr tonight

N.C.

That's your decision

[Verse 5]

N.C.

But I'm not below anybody I know

If there's a chance of resurrecting a love

F G

I'm not above going back to the start

To find out where the heartache began

Some people hope for a miracle cure

Some people just accept the world as it is

F G

But I'm not willing to lay down and die

Because I am an innocent man

[Interlude]

C F/C C F/A G/B C F/C C F/D

| | | |

[Chorus]

C/E F Bb/F F

I am an innocent man

G C F/C C

Oh yes I am

F/A G/B C C F/C C

An innocent man

F/D C/E C G

| % |

Oh oh oh oh

[Outro]

| | % | % | % | %

About An Innocent Man Chords by Billy Joel

Learn how to play An Innocent Man by Billy Joel with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “An Innocent Man chords”, “An Innocent Man guitar chords”, or “Billy Joel An Innocent Man 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 An Innocent Man chords and for experienced players who want accurate An Innocent Man lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Dm, F, G, Gm7, C/G.

FAQ — An Innocent Man by Billy Joel

How do I play "An Innocent Man" by Billy Joel on guitar?

Open the free chords for "An Innocent Man" by Billy Joel 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 "An Innocent Man" by Billy Joel free?

Yes. The chords for "An Innocent Man" by Billy Joel are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "An Innocent Man" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "An Innocent Man"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "An Innocent Man" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "An Innocent Man" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "An Innocent Man" by Billy Joel with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Billy Joel below.

What key is "An Innocent Man" in?

The chords for "An Innocent Man" show the original chord names (including C, Dm, F, G, Gm7, C/G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.