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Promise

Chords

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Emajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/10

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 10Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

This is the main riff you will play for the verses and is shown as F#5, A5, F#5 E5 
in the tabs here:
e|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|------------------------------------------------------------- ------|
D|--4---4---7-4---2--2--2---2--2--2-----------------------------------|
A|--4---4---7-4---2--2--2---2--2--2-----------------------------------|
E|--2---2---5-2---0--0--0---0--0--0-----------------------------------|
You can do the A on the next string up with an 2 chord, but I find this way 
easier.  Most other chords, you can use full bar chords except the Bridge.  Just 
keep playing the pattern over each line until you reach a new chord.  Step 2:  
Find a really good bassist to play with you.
Intro:
          F#5           A5             F#5   E5(4x)
Verse
Well Ya knF#5ow that I wanA5t your loviF#5ng,E5  
but my logic tells me that it aint never gonna happen,
and then my defense is to say I didn't want it anyway,
but you know sometimes I'm a liar.
C#mCould you ever want me to lBove you?
C#mCould you ever want me to cBare?
F#5Disregard my A5nervousnessF#5,E5  
please ignore my vacant stares,
Chorus
'cause just C#mwhat I've been thrBough,
is nothing like where I'm going tAo.
F#Give me some sAign to pursuF#e,E  
 Apromise,
and you're unhappy.B  
N.C.
...This is only a guess...
          F#5           A5             F#5  E5(2x)
Verse 2
F#5(guitar silenA5t at first F#5slowly fades iE5n over similar bass line)
Do you know what it's like to hate
when it's way down deep inside?
Oh god, I hate what's been done to my life.
I could rule the pain,
I could rule the night,
or would I ruin my salvation,
ruin my mind.
Rule your pains,
rules of the night,
ruin your salvation,
ruin your miiiiiiiiiiiiiii.....
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii....
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind.
Bridge:(For the A, I just play the open A string instead of the chord)
     F#5    C#5       A       B5N.C.
Ba da  ba    da    ba      bop bop ba da da     
(4X)
Play full F# bar chord here once and let ring right after last "da"
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
2,3,4!
Third Verse (same as the first, but stuttering a bit.) 
F#5Y'know that I A5want your F#5loving,E5  
but then Mr. Logic, Mr. Logic tells me that it aint never gonna happen,
and then my defense is to say I didn't, I didn't want it anyway,
but you know sometimes I'm a liar.
C#mCould you ever want me to lBove you?
CCould you ever want me to cBare?
F#5Disregard my A5nervousnessF#5,E5  
please ignore my vacant stares,
'cause just C#mwhat I've been thrBough,
is nothing like where I'm going Ato.
F#Give me some sAign to pursuF#e,E  
 Apromise,
 Apromise,
Band you're unhappy,
and you're unhappy,
and you're unhappy,
and you're unhappy.
N.C.
This is only a guess
And that's it.  This is my first tab, let me know how you like it.

All chords in this song (11)

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Promise

by Violent Femmes

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#5

C#m

C#5

This is the main riff you will play for the verses and is shown as F#5, A5, F#5 E5

in the tabs here:

e|--------------------------------------------------------------------|

B|--------------------------------------------------------------------|

G|------------------------------------------------------------- ------|

D|--4---4---7-4---2--2--2---2--2--2-----------------------------------|

A|--4---4---7-4---2--2--2---2--2--2-----------------------------------|

E|--2---2---5-2---0--0--0---0--0--0-----------------------------------|

You can do the A on the next string up with an 2 chord, but I find this way

easier. Most other chords, you can use full bar chords except the Bridge. Just

keep playing the pattern over each line until you reach a new chord. Step 2:

Find a really good bassist to play with you.

Intro:

F#5 A5 F#5 E5

(4x)

Verse

F#5 A5 F#5 E5

Well Ya know that I want your loving,

but my logic tells me that it aint never gonna happen,

and then my defense is to say I didn't want it anyway,

but you know sometimes I'm a liar.

C#m B

Could you ever want me to love you?

C#m B

Could you ever want me to care?

F#5 A5 F#5 E5

Disregard my nervousness,

please ignore my vacant stares,

Chorus

C#m B

'cause just what I've been through,

is nothing like where I'm going to.

F# A F# E

Give me some sign to pursue,

promise,

and you're unhappy.

N..

...This is only a guess...

F#5 A5 F#5 E5

(2x)

Verse 2

F#5 A5 F#5 E5

(guitar silent at first slowly fades in over similar bass line)

Do you know what it's like to hate

when it's way down deep inside?

Oh god, I hate what's been done to my life.

I could rule the pain,

I could rule the night,

or would I ruin my salvation,

ruin my mind.

Rule your pains,

rules of the night,

ruin your salvation,

ruin your miiiiiiiiiiiiiii.....

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii....

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind.

Bridge:(For the A, I just play the open A string instead of the chord)

F#5 C#5 A B5

N.C.

Ba da ba da ba bop bop ba da da

(4X)

Play full F# bar chord here once and let ring right after last "da"

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

2,3,4!

Third Verse (same as the first, but stuttering a bit.)

F#5 A5 F#5 E5

Y'know that I want your loving,

but then Mr. Logic, Mr. Logic tells me that it aint never gonna happen,

and then my defense is to say I didn't, I didn't want it anyway,

but you know sometimes I'm a liar.

C#m B

Could you ever want me to love you?

C B

Could you ever want me to care?

F#5 A5 F#5 E5

Disregard my nervousness,

please ignore my vacant stares,

C#m B

'cause just what I've been through,

is nothing like where I'm going to.

F# A F# E

Give me some sign to pursue,

promise,

and you're unhappy,

and you're unhappy.

N.C.

This is only a guess

And that's it. This is my first tab, let me know how you like it.

About Promise Chords by Violent Femmes

Learn how to play Promise by Violent Femmes with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Promise chords”, “Promise guitar chords”, or “Violent Femmes Promise 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 Promise chords and for experienced players who want accurate Promise lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F#, B, G, D, A, E.

FAQ — Promise by Violent Femmes

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What key is "Promise" in?

The chords for "Promise" show the original chord names (including F#, B, G, D, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.