Now playing

Desperate Hands

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

F#minor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the verses, you should play the A like a barre chord (577655).
I've seen Jarrod use an open A (-02220) for the chorus.
The chords ending in "5" are just power chords: D5 -577-- , C#5 -466--,
B5 -244--.
A chord chart is at the bottom.
ENJOY.
VERSE 1
AIt's been several hours,
F#mSince our incident
BmClothes are torn, glass shattered
D5It was a C#5year leading B5up to this eEvent,
She had a D5melt down, C#5cried wolf, and B5can't be truEsted
AYou took the biggest knife in the kitchen you could find,
F#mCalled the police and claimed that I was trying,
BmTrying to kill you, when in fact I was Dtrying to save your Elife
AYou had me trapped in my own apartment,
F#m24 hours, dodging clenched fists,
BmScribbling letters, bidding your friends and Dfamily fareEwell
CHORUS
ADesperate hands and a F#mhollow heart, 
BmWhiskey unleash the beast Dstarving inEside of me,
ANo one will unF#mderstand us.
Feel lBmess like her lover and Dmore like her Efather
VERSE 2
AAre you gonna be a good girl?
F#mCan you make me that promise?
BmNot to lash out on me, 
D5How is it C#5that you made my B5life a living Ehell,
But I D5still find C#5you to be B5irreplaceaEble 
AWhich of my things did you sneak out last night?
F#mIn hopes to bring us together one last time
BmRansom being the only thing that Dyou have Eleft
CHORUS
ADesperate hands and a F#mhollow heart, 
BmWhiskey unleash the beast Dstarving inEside of me,
ANo one will unF#mderstand us.
Feel lBmess like her lover and Dmore like her Efather
BRIDGE
F#mThreatened to Dthrow yourself Aout of the Ecar
In F#mrush hour Dtraffic, sixtAeen miles an Ehour. 
There's a better F#mway,   Ddon't you Athink?E  
Just if we F#mwait Duntil we get AhomeE  
CHORUS 3/End
ADesperate hands and a F#mhollow heart, 
BmWhiskey unleash the beast Dstarving inEside of me,
ANo one will unF#mderstand us.
Feel lBmess like her lover and Dmore like her Efather
END on A
CHORD CHART:
A:	577655 (for verse)
A:	-02220 (for chorus)
F#m:	244222
Bm:	-24432
D:	--0232
E:	022100
D5:	-577--
C#5:	-466--
B5:	-244--

All chords in this song (8)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

Desperate Hands

by Jarrod Gorbel

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

C#5

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the verses, you should play the A like a barre chord (577655).

I've seen Jarrod use an open A (-02220) for the chorus.

The chords ending in "5" are just power chords: D5 -577-- , C#5 -466--,

B5 -244--.

A chord chart is at the bottom.

ENJOY.

VERSE 1

It's been several hours,

F#m

Since our incident

Clothes are torn, glass shattered

D5 C#5 B5 E

It was a year leading up to this event,

D5 C#5 B5 E

She had a melt down, cried wolf, and can't be trusted

You took the biggest knife in the kitchen you could find,

F#m

Called the police and claimed that I was trying,

Bm D E

Trying to kill you, when in fact I was trying to save your life

You had me trapped in my own apartment,

F#m

24 hours, dodging clenched fists,

Bm D E

Scribbling letters, bidding your friends and family farewell

CHORUS

A F#m

Desperate hands and a hollow heart,

Bm D E

Whiskey unleash the beast starving inside of me,

A F#m

No one will understand us.

Bm D E

Feel less like her lover and more like her father

VERSE 2

Are you gonna be a good girl?

F#m

Can you make me that promise?

Not to lash out on me,

D5 C#5 B5 E

How is it that you made my life a living hell,

D5 C#5 B5 E

But I still find you to be irreplaceable

Which of my things did you sneak out last night?

F#m

In hopes to bring us together one last time

Bm D E

Ransom being the only thing that you have left

CHORUS

A F#m

Desperate hands and a hollow heart,

Bm D E

Whiskey unleash the beast starving inside of me,

A F#m

No one will understand us.

Bm D E

Feel less like her lover and more like her father

BRIDGE

F#m D A E

Threatened to throw yourself out of the car

F#m D A E

In rush hour traffic, sixteen miles an hour.

F#m D A E

There's a better way, don't you think?

F#m D A E

Just if we wait until we get home

CHORUS 3/End

A F#m

Desperate hands and a hollow heart,

Bm D E

Whiskey unleash the beast starving inside of me,

A F#m

No one will understand us.

Bm D E

Feel less like her lover and more like her father

END on A

CHORD CHART:

: 577655 (for verse)

: -02220 (for chorus)

F#m

: 244222

: -24432

: --0232

: 022100

: -577--

C#5

: -466--

: -244--

About Desperate Hands Chords by Jarrod Gorbel

Learn how to play Desperate Hands by Jarrod Gorbel with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Desperate Hands chords”, “Desperate Hands guitar chords”, or “Jarrod Gorbel Desperate Hands 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 Desperate Hands chords and for experienced players who want accurate Desperate Hands lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, C#, F#m, Bm, D5, C#5.

FAQ — Desperate Hands by Jarrod Gorbel

How do I play "Desperate Hands" by Jarrod Gorbel on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Desperate Hands" by Jarrod Gorbel 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 "Desperate Hands" by Jarrod Gorbel free?

Yes. The chords for "Desperate Hands" by Jarrod Gorbel are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Desperate Hands" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Desperate Hands"?

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

Is "Desperate Hands" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Desperate Hands" by Jarrod Gorbel with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Jarrod Gorbel below.

What key is "Desperate Hands" in?

The chords for "Desperate Hands" show the original chord names (including A, C#, F#m, Bm, D5, C#5). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.