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The Writer

Chords

4.7101 votes

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KeyOriginal

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Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Capo 2
[Intro] 
C Em D
C Em D
C Em D
D C Em G
[Verse 1]
You wCait for a siEmlence
I wGait for a wDord
Lying nCext to your fEmrame
GGirl unobDserved
You chCange your poEmsition
You're chaGnging Dme
CasCting these shEmadows
Where tDhey shouldn't Gbe
[Pre-Chorus]
CWe're interrEmupted
By the hGeat of the Dsun
CTrying to prEmevent
What's alGready beDgun
CYou're just a bEmody
I can smGell your Dskin
And wChen I feel Emit
You're weDaring tGhin
[Chorus]
But IEm've got Ca pDlan
Why don't yDou be the arEmtist
And mCake me out of Gclay?
Why don't yDou be the wrEmiter
DeCcide the words I Gsay?
Cause I'd raEmther prGetend
I'll still bDe there at the eEmnd
Only it's tCoo hard to aEmsk
Won't you tDry to help Gme?
[Verse 2]
CSat on your Emsofa
It's Gall broken spDrings
This isCn't the placEme for
Those viGolin striDngs
I tCry out a smiEmle
And I Gaim it at Dyou
You mCust have misEmsed it
You alwDays dGo
[Chorus]
But IEm've got Ca pDlan
Why Ddon't you bEme the artist
And mCake me out of Gclay?
Why don't yDou be the wrEmiter
DeCcide the words I Gsay?
Cause I'd raEmther prGetend
I'll still bDe there at the eEmnd
Only it's tCoo hard to aEmsk
Won't you tDry to help Gme?
[Bridge]
YCou wait
I waitEm  
EmCasting shaDdows
InteDrrupted
CYou wait
I waitEm  
EmCasting shaDdows
InteDrrupted
YCou wait
I waitEm  
EmCasting shaDdows
InteDrrupted
YCou wait
I waitEm  
EmCasting shaDdows
[Chorus]
But IEm've got Ca pDlan
Why don't Dyou be the Emartist
And mCake me out of Gclay?
Why don't yDou be the wrEmiter
DeCcide the words I Gsay?
Cause I'd raEmther prGetend
I'll still bDe there at the eEmnd
Only it's tCoo hard to aEmsk
Won't you tDry to help Gme?
[Chorus]
But I've got a plan
Why don'Dt you be the Emartist
And mCake me out of Gclay?
Why don't yDou be the wrEmiter
DeCcide the words I Gsay?
Cause I'd raEmther prGetend
I'll still bDe there at the eEmnd
Only it's tCoo hard to aEmsk
Won't you tDry to help Gme?

All chords in this song (4)

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The Writer

by Ellie Goulding

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Capo 2

[Intro]

C Em D

D C Em G

[Verse 1]

C Em

You wait for a silence

G D

I wait for a word

C Em

Lying next to your frame

G D

Girl unobserved

C Em

You change your position

G D

You're changing me

C Em

Casting these shadows

D G

Where they shouldn't be

[Pre-Chorus]

C Em

We're interrupted

G D

By the heat of the sun

C Em

Trying to prevent

G D

What's already begun

C Em

You're just a body

G D

I can smell your skin

C Em

And when I feel it

D G

You're wearing thin

[Chorus]

Em C D

But I've got a plan

D Em

Why don't you be the artist

C G

And make me out of clay?

D Em

Why don't you be the writer

C G

Decide the words I say?

Em G

Cause I'd rather pretend

D Em

I'll still be there at the end

C Em

Only it's too hard to ask

D G

Won't you try to help me?

[Verse 2]

C Em

Sat on your sofa

G D

It's all broken springs

C Em

This isn't the place for

G D

Those violin strings

C Em

I try out a smile

G D

And I aim it at you

C Em

You must have missed it

D G

You always do

[Chorus]

Em C D

But I've got a plan

D Em

Why don't you be the artist

C G

And make me out of clay?

D Em

Why don't you be the writer

C G

Decide the words I say?

Em G

Cause I'd rather pretend

D Em

I'll still be there at the end

C Em

Only it's too hard to ask

D G

Won't you try to help me?

[Bridge]

You wait

I wait

Em D

Casting shadows

Interrupted

You wait

I wait

Em D

Casting shadows

Interrupted

You wait

I wait

Em D

Casting shadows

Interrupted

You wait

I wait

Em D

Casting shadows

[Chorus]

Em C D

But I've got a plan

D Em

Why don't you be the artist

C G

And make me out of clay?

D Em

Why don't you be the writer

C G

Decide the words I say?

Em G

Cause I'd rather pretend

D Em

I'll still be there at the end

C Em

Only it's too hard to ask

D G

Won't you try to help me?

[Chorus]

But I've got a plan

D Em

Why don't you be the artist

C G

And make me out of clay?

D Em

Why don't you be the writer

C G

Decide the words I say?

Em G

Cause I'd rather pretend

D Em

I'll still be there at the end

C Em

Only it's too hard to ask

D G

Won't you try to help me?

About The Writer Chords by Ellie Goulding

Learn how to play The Writer by Ellie Goulding with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Writer chords”, “The Writer guitar chords”, or “Ellie Goulding The Writer 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 The Writer chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Writer lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Em, D, G.

FAQ — The Writer by Ellie Goulding

How do I play "The Writer" by Ellie Goulding on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Writer" by Ellie Goulding 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 "The Writer" by Ellie Goulding free?

Yes. The chords for "The Writer" by Ellie Goulding are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Writer" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Writer"?

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

Is "The Writer" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Writer" by Ellie Goulding with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Ellie Goulding below.

What key is "The Writer" in?

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