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Tell Me A Lie

Chords

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[Verse 1]
  GCan't ever get it right
  No matter how hard I tAmry, and I've tried
  GWell, I put up a good fight
  But your words cut like knAmives, and I'm tired
[Pre-chorus 1]
EmAs you B7break my hDeart again this A7time
[Chorus]
  GTell me I'm a scCrewed up mess
  EmThat I never Dlisten, listen
  GTell me you don't Cwant my kiss
  EmThat you need your Ddistance, distance
GTell me anytChing but don't you Emsay he's what you're Dmissing baby
If Ghe's the reason that you're leaving Cme tonight
EmSpare me what you think and
  DTell me a lieG  
[Verse 2]
  GWell, you're the charming type
  That little twinkle in your eAmye gets me every time
  GAnd well, there must have been a time
  I was the reason for that smAmile, so keep in mind
[Pre-chorus 2]
EmAs you tB7ake what's Dleft of you and  A7I
[Chorus]
  GTell me I'm a scCrewed up mess
  EmThat I never Dlisten, listen
  GTell me you don't Cwant my kiss
  EmThat you need your Ddistance, distance
GTell me anytChing but don't you Emsay he's what you're Dmissing baby
If Ghe's the reason that you're leaving Cme tonight
EmSpare me what you think and
  DTell me a lieC  
  Tell me a lieEm  
  Tell me a lieC  
  Tell me a lieAm  
[Chorus]
  GTell me I'm a screwed up mCess
  EmThat I never listen, listen
  GTell me you don't Cwant my kiss
  EmThat you need your Ddistance, distance
GTell me anytChing but don't you Emsay he's what you're Dmissing baby
If Ghe's the reason that you're leaving Cme tonight
EmSpare me what you think and
  DTell me a lieG,       Ctell me a lEmieD  
  Tell me a lieG,       Ctell me a lEmieD  
          N.C.
Tell me a lie

All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

"Tell Me A Lie" is from One Direction's debut album, Up All Night. The song captures the raw vulnerability of a love that's slipping away, where the singer would rather hear a comforting falsehood than face the painful truth. It speaks to that desperate moment when you'd rather live in denial, clinging to any shred of hope, even if it's a lie. Playing this song channels the ache of a heart unwilling to let go.

AI-written from these sources:One Direction — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

Tell Me A Lie

by One Direction

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

Can't ever get it right

No matter how hard I try, and I've tried

Well, I put up a good fight

But your words cut like knives, and I'm tired

[Pre-chorus 1]

Em B7 D A7

As you break my heart again this time

[Chorus]

G C

Tell me I'm a screwed up mess

Em D

That I never listen, listen

G C

Tell me you don't want my kiss

Em D

That you need your distance, distance

G C Em D

Tell me anything but don't you say he's what you're missing baby

G C

If he's the reason that you're leaving me tonight

Spare me what you think and

D G

Tell me a lie

[Verse 2]

Well, you're the charming type

That little twinkle in your eye gets me every time

And well, there must have been a time

I was the reason for that smile, so keep in mind

[Pre-chorus 2]

Em B7 D A7

As you take what's left of you and I

[Chorus]

G C

Tell me I'm a screwed up mess

Em D

That I never listen, listen

G C

Tell me you don't want my kiss

Em D

That you need your distance, distance

G C Em D

Tell me anything but don't you say he's what you're missing baby

G C

If he's the reason that you're leaving me tonight

Spare me what you think and

D C

Tell me a lie

[Chorus]

G C

Tell me I'm a screwed up mess

That I never listen, listen

G C

Tell me you don't want my kiss

Em D

That you need your distance, distance

G C Em D

Tell me anything but don't you say he's what you're missing baby

G C

If he's the reason that you're leaving me tonight

Spare me what you think and

D G C Em D

Tell me a lie, tell me a lie

G C Em D

Tell me a lie, tell me a lie

N.C.

Tell me a lie

About Tell Me A Lie Chords by One Direction

Learn how to play Tell Me A Lie by One Direction with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Tell Me A Lie chords”, “Tell Me A Lie guitar chords”, or “One Direction Tell Me A Lie 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 A Lie chords and for experienced players who want accurate Tell Me A Lie lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Am, Em, B7, D, A7.

FAQ — Tell Me A Lie by One Direction

How do I play "Tell Me A Lie" by One Direction on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Tell Me A Lie" by One Direction 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 A Lie" by One Direction free?

Yes. The chords for "Tell Me A Lie" by One Direction are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Tell Me A Lie" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Tell Me A Lie"?

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

Is "Tell Me A Lie" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Tell Me A Lie" by One Direction with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by One Direction below.

What key is "Tell Me A Lie" in?

The chords for "Tell Me A Lie" show the original chord names (including G, Am, Em, B7, D, A7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.