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Strange Currencies

Chords

4.6205 votes

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Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/32

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 32Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

[Intro]
   N.C.             C      Fadd9         C  Fadd9  
e|---------|----3-------3---|----3-------3---|
B|---------|-----1-----1-1--|-----1-----1-1--|
G|---------|---0--0---2---2-|---0--0---2---2-|
D|-2p0---0-|--2------3------|--2------3------|
A|-----3---|-3--------------|-3--------------|
E|---------|----------------|----------------|
[Verse 1]
 CI don't Fadd9know why you're mCean to meFadd9  
When I Ccall Fon the F/EtelepDmhoneG  
And CI don't know Fadd9what you mCean to meFadd9  
But I want to turn you Con, turn you up, figure you oFut, I want to F/Etake you DmonG  
[Chorus]
These wCordsG  F  C  
   FYou will be mGine
These wCordsG  F  
You wCill be mDmine
all the tGime
[Riff]
   N.C.
e|---------|
B|---------|
G|---------|
D|-2p0---0-|
A|-----3---|
E|---------|
[Verse 2]
CThe fool mighFadd9t be my mCiddle nameFadd9  
CBut I'd be fFoolish F/Enot to DmsayG  
CI'm going to make whatever it Fadd9takes,
Ring you up, cCall you down, sign your name, Fadd9secret love,
Make it rhymeC, take you thereF, and F/Emake you mDmineG  
[Chorus]
These wCordsG  F  C  
   FYou will be mGine
These wCordsG  F  
You wCill be mDmine
all the tGime, oh
[Bridge]
AmI tripped and fGell
AmDid I fGall?
AmWhat I want to feFel,F/E  
DmI want to feel it nGow
N.C.
[Verse 3]
CYou know with Fadd9love comes strCange currenciesFadd9  
CBut hFere is F/Emy apDmpealG  
    CI need a Fadd9chance, a second chance,
a third chCance, a fourth chance, a word, a Fadd9signal, a nod, a little breath
Just to fCool myself, to cFatch myselfF/E, to make it rDmeal, rGeal
[Chorus]
These wCordsG  F  C  
   FYou will be mGine
These wCordsG  F  
You wCill be mDmine
all the tGime, oh
These wCordsG  F  C  
   FYou will be mGine
These Cwords, Gthey hFaunt me,
hCunt me down, cDmatch in my throat, make me pray, say,
love's confGined, oh
[Outro]
|  C   G   F   C|   F  G  
|  C   G   F   C|   Dm|   G| C  

All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

This song explores the intense, almost obsessive desire to convince someone of your singular devotion. It delves into the mindset of someone who believes their words alone can sway another to see them as their one and only. Guitarist Peter Buck noted that many songs from the album it appears on, Monster, are about themes of peeping and stalkers, and singer Michael Stipe described the lyrics as "gross and disgusting," reflecting a sonic experiment with grainy, ugly sounds. Stipe also shared that the song was partly inspired by Michael Hutchence, influencing the middle section in particular. At its heart, it plays like a plea born from a desperate, singular focus.

AI-written from these sources:Strange Currencies — Wikipedia ↗R.E.M. — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Strange Currencies

by R.E.M.

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Fadd9

F/E

[Intro]

C Fadd9 C Fadd9

N.C.

e|---------|----3-------3---|----3-------3---|

B|---------|-----1-----1-1--|-----1-----1-1--|

G|---------|---0--0---2---2-|---0--0---2---2-|

D|-2p0---0-|--2------3------|--2------3------|

A|-----3---|-3--------------|-3--------------|

E|---------|----------------|----------------|

[Verse 1]

C Fadd9 C Fadd9

I don't know why you're mean to me

C F F/E Dm G

When I call on the telephone

C Fadd9 C Fadd9

And I don't know what you mean to me

C F F/E Dm G

But I want to turn you on, turn you up, figure you out, I want to take you on

[Chorus]

C G F C

These words

F G

You will be mine

C G F

These words

C Dm

You will be mine

all the time

[Riff]

N.C.

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

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

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

D|-2p0---0-|

A|-----3---|

E|---------|

[Verse 2]

C Fadd9 C Fadd9

The fool might be my middle name

C F F/E Dm G

But I'd be foolish not to say

C Fadd9

I'm going to make whatever it takes,

C Fadd9

Ring you up, call you down, sign your name, secret love,

C F F/E Dm G

Make it rhyme, take you there, and make you mine

[Chorus]

C G F C

These words

F G

You will be mine

C G F

These words

C Dm

You will be mine

all the time, oh

[Bridge]

Am G

I tripped and fell

Am G

Did I fall?

Am F F/E

What I want to feel,

Dm G

I want to feel it now

N.C.

[Verse 3]

C Fadd9 C Fadd9

You know with love comes strange currencies

C F F/E Dm G

But here is my appeal

C Fadd9

I need a chance, a second chance,

C Fadd9

a third chance, a fourth chance, a word, a signal, a nod, a little breath

C F F/E Dm G

Just to fool myself, to catch myself, to make it real, real

[Chorus]

C G F C

These words

F G

You will be mine

C G F

These words

C Dm

You will be mine

all the time, oh

C G F C

These words

F G

You will be mine

C G F

These words, they haunt me,

C Dm

hunt me down, catch in my throat, make me pray, say,

love's confined, oh

[Outro]

C G F C F G

| |

C G F C Dm G C

| | | |

About Strange Currencies Chords by R.E.M.

Learn how to play Strange Currencies by R.E.M. with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Strange Currencies chords”, “Strange Currencies guitar chords”, or “R.E.M. Strange Currencies 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 Strange Currencies chords and for experienced players who want accurate Strange Currencies lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Fadd9, B, G, D, A.

FAQ — Strange Currencies by R.E.M.

How do I play "Strange Currencies" by R.E.M. on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Strange Currencies" by R.E.M. 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 "Strange Currencies" by R.E.M. free?

Yes. The chords for "Strange Currencies" by R.E.M. are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Strange Currencies" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Strange Currencies"?

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

Is "Strange Currencies" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Strange Currencies" by R.E.M. with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by R.E.M. below.

What key is "Strange Currencies" in?

The chords for "Strange Currencies" show the original chord names (including C, Fadd9, B, G, D, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.