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Tell Me Why

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Tell Me Why chords
low E string/single notes
E(open)  F#   G#  A  
 CSailing heartships through   Dbroken harbors
 AmOut on the Cwaves in the GnighCt G  
 CStill the searcher must  Dride the dark horse
 AmRacing aClone in his Gfright
 DTell me Amwhy  C  G  D  
Tell me Amwhy  C  G  
Is it Gmaj7hard to make arrangements with yourCself
When you're Dold enough to reCpay but Bmyoung enough to Emsell
C D Am G D
 CTell me lies later  Dcome and see me
 AmI'll be aCround for a Gwhile C  G  
 CI am lonely but  Dyou can free me
 AmAll in the Cway that you Gsmile
 DTell me Amwhy  C  G  D  
Tell me Amwhy  C  G  
Is it Gmaj7hard to make arrangements with yourCself
When you're Dold enough to Crepay but Bmyoung enough to Emsell
[Outro]
 C   D   Am   G   D(x2)

All chords in this song (10)

The story behind the song

"Tell Me Why" is an introspective and melancholic song that delves into the difficulty of reconciling with oneself. It explores the struggle of making peace with your own choices and past, especially when you're old enough to understand consequences but still young enough to be swayed. This track from the 1970 album After the Gold Rush marked a shift towards folk and country influences for Neil Young, featuring just two acoustic guitars and the vocal harmonies of Crazy Horse. Playing it feels like a quiet moment of self-reflection.

AI-written from these sources:Tell Me Why (Neil Young song) — Wikipedia ↗Neil Young — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

Tell Me Why

by Neil Young

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gmaj7

Tell Me Why chords

low E string/single notes

F# G# A

E(open)

C D

Sailing heartships through broken harbors

Am C G C G

Out on the waves in the night

C D

Still the searcher must ride the dark horse

Am C G

Racing alone in his fright

D Am C G D

Tell me why

Am C G

Tell me why

Gmaj7 C

Is it hard to make arrangements with yourself

D C Bm Em

When you're old enough to repay but young enough to sell

C D Am G D

C D

Tell me lies later come and see me

Am C G C G

I'll be around for a while

C D

I am lonely but you can free me

Am C G

All in the way that you smile

D Am C G D

Tell me why

Am C G

Tell me why

Gmaj7 C

Is it hard to make arrangements with yourself

D C Bm Em

When you're old enough to repay but young enough to sell

[Outro]

C D Am G D

(x2)

About Tell Me Why Chords by Neil Young

Learn how to play Tell Me Why by Neil Young with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Tell Me Why chords”, “Tell Me Why guitar chords”, or “Neil Young Tell Me Why 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 Tell Me Why chords and for experienced players who want accurate Tell Me Why lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, F#, G#, A, C, D.

FAQ — Tell Me Why by Neil Young

How do I play "Tell Me Why" by Neil Young on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Tell Me Why" by Neil Young 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 "Tell Me Why" by Neil Young free?

Yes. The chords for "Tell Me Why" by Neil Young are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Tell Me Why" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Tell Me Why"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Tell Me Why" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Tell Me Why" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Tell Me Why" by Neil Young with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Neil Young below.

What key is "Tell Me Why" in?

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