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One In Ten

Chords

4.637 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

This song was written on Drums and Rhythm Guitar alone at first using just two Chords G & F,
Although the Bass line,Lead Guitar,Saxophone and the fact it sounds better point to 
it being Gm & F,It just isn't!
I'll place the Gm Chord diagram if you want to do what I do and use it,But G & F is UB40 official.
[Chords]
G[Intro PlaFy Twice]Gm  
G[ChForuGs 1F]G  F  G  F  
GI am the one in ten,A Fnumber on a list
GI am the one in ten,FEven though I don't exist
GNobody knows mFe,But I'm always there
GA statistic,A remiFnder of a world that doesn't care,
[Saxophone Instrumental]
G  F  G  F  G  F  G  F
[Verse 1]
GMy arms unfold the dole queue,Malnutrition Fdulls my hair
GMy eyes are black and lifeless with an underpFrivileged stare
GI`m the beggar on the corner will no Fone spare a dime?
GI`m the child that never learns to read F'cause no one spared the time,
[Chorus 2]
GI am the one in ten,A Fnumber on a list 
GI am the one in ten,FEven though I don`t exist 
GNobody knows mFe,But I'm always there
GA statistic,A remiFnder of a world that doesn't care,
[Saxophone Instrumental]
G  F  G  F  G  F  G  F
[Verse 2]
GI`m the murderer,The victim,I'm the licFense to a gun
GI`m a sad and bruised old lady in an ally Fin a slum
GI`m a middle aged businessman with chronic Fheart disease
GI`m another teenage suicide Fin a street that has no trees,
[Chorus 3]
GI am the one in ten,A Fnumber on a list
GI am the one in ten,FEven though I don`t exist
GNobody knows mFe,But I'm always there,
GA statistic,A remiFnder of a world that doesn't care,
[Saxophone Instrumental]
G  F  G  F  G  F  G  F
[Verse 3]
GI`m a starving third world mother,Refugee with Fout a home
GI`m a housewife hooked on Valium,I`m a penFsioner alone
GI`m a cancer ridden spectre discoveFring the earth
GI`m another hungry baby FI'm an accident at birth, 
[Chorus 4]
GI am the one in ten,A Fnumber on a list
GI am the one in ten,FEven though I don`t exist
GNobody knows mFe,But I'm always there
GA statistic,A remiFnder of a world that does`nt care,
[Saxophone Instrumental]
G  F  G  F  G  F  G  F
[Chorus 5]
GI am the one in ten,A Fnumber on a list
GI am the one in ten,FEven though I don`t exist
GNobody knows mFe,But i`m always there
A statistic,A reminder of a world that doesn't care.
[Outro Till Fade]
G  F  G  F  G  F  G  F

All chords in this song (2)

The story behind the song

"One In Ten" is a powerful protest song that emerged from a time of significant social struggle in the UK. Released in 1981 on their album Present Arms, the song directly addresses the approximately 10% unemployment rate in the band's home region, serving as a direct critique of then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's policies. It bravely confronts widespread inequalities, touching on themes of poverty, hunger, suicide, drug addiction, and homelessness. Playing this song means channeling a spirit of empathy and a call for awareness regarding societal challenges.

AI-written from these sources:One in Ten — Wikipedia ↗UB40 — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

One In Ten

by UB40

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

This song was written on Drums and Rhythm Guitar alone at first using just two Chords G & F,

Although the Bass line,Lead Guitar,Saxophone and the fact it sounds better point to

it being Gm & F,It just isn't!

I'll place the Gm Chord diagram if you want to do what I do and use it,But G & F is UB40 official.

[Chords]

G F Gm

[Intro Play Twice]

G F G F G F G F

[Chorus 1]

G F

I am the one in ten,A number on a list

G F

I am the one in ten,Even though I don't exist

G F

Nobody knows me,But I'm always there

G F

A statistic,A reminder of a world that doesn't care,

[Saxophone Instrumental]

G F G F G F G F

[Verse 1]

G F

My arms unfold the dole queue,Malnutrition dulls my hair

G F

My eyes are black and lifeless with an underprivileged stare

G F

I`m the beggar on the corner will no one spare a dime?

G F

I`m the child that never learns to read 'cause no one spared the time,

[Chorus 2]

G F

I am the one in ten,A number on a list

G F

I am the one in ten,Even though I don`t exist

G F

Nobody knows me,But I'm always there

G F

A statistic,A reminder of a world that doesn't care,

[Saxophone Instrumental]

G F G F G F G F

[Verse 2]

G F

I`m the murderer,The victim,I'm the license to a gun

G F

I`m a sad and bruised old lady in an ally in a slum

G F

I`m a middle aged businessman with chronic heart disease

G F

I`m another teenage suicide in a street that has no trees,

[Chorus 3]

G F

I am the one in ten,A number on a list

G F

I am the one in ten,Even though I don`t exist

G F

Nobody knows me,But I'm always there,

G F

A statistic,A reminder of a world that doesn't care,

[Saxophone Instrumental]

G F G F G F G F

[Verse 3]

G F

I`m a starving third world mother,Refugee with out a home

G F

I`m a housewife hooked on Valium,I`m a pensioner alone

G F

I`m a cancer ridden spectre discovering the earth

G F

I`m another hungry baby I'm an accident at birth,

[Chorus 4]

G F

I am the one in ten,A number on a list

G F

I am the one in ten,Even though I don`t exist

G F

Nobody knows me,But I'm always there

G F

A statistic,A reminder of a world that does`nt care,

[Saxophone Instrumental]

G F G F G F G F

[Chorus 5]

G F

I am the one in ten,A number on a list

G F

I am the one in ten,Even though I don`t exist

G F

Nobody knows me,But i`m always there

A statistic,A reminder of a world that doesn't care.

[Outro Till Fade]

G F G F G F G F

About One In Ten Chords by UB40

Learn how to play One In Ten by UB40 with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “One In Ten chords”, “One In Ten guitar chords”, or “UB40 One In Ten 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 One In Ten chords and for experienced players who want accurate One In Ten lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, F, Gm, A.

FAQ — One In Ten by UB40

How do I play "One In Ten" by UB40 on guitar?

Open the free chords for "One In Ten" by UB40 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 "One In Ten" by UB40 free?

Yes. The chords for "One In Ten" by UB40 are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "One In Ten" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "One In Ten"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "One In Ten" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "One In Ten" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "One In Ten" by UB40 with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by UB40 below.

What key is "One In Ten" in?

The chords for "One In Ten" show the original chord names (including G, F, Gm, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.