Now playing

Pretty Forever

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

I've put down the chords for two slightly different versions, The Black Sessions version,
            D5x2
D5, F5,     G5x2
D5What would she do?
F5If she could G5kick time?
D5Would she go back?
F5Her arms G5were mine
D5Would you go back to four weeks agF5o?
And tG5ell her everything
Whoever eveD5rythingF5  G5  
D5How could she pick
And how could she F5say
She's alreadG5y made too many mistaD5kes
She's first at the walls, little baby onesF5  
SheG5'd try to cage it if she weren't Ctoo smart for Fthat
If she weren't Ctoo smart for Fthat
CShe wants be Amhappy forever
GShe just wants to be Fhigh
CShe wants to be Ampretty forever
GShe just wants to be Ftied
    D5x2
D5She'd be your mother if she had a cF5hoice
She'd G5make more money if she were a D5boy
We put her away, but she'd try it aF5gain
She'd trG5y it again, and keep her Cmouth shutF  
Yeah, she'd keep herC... mouth Fshut
C, Am, G, F  
CWhat would we do?
AmIf it wouldn't matter
GWe'd still fall apart
FOne way or another
CSo would the city
And so would the Ameast
  GAnd so on
  FAnd so on
CShe wants be Amhappy forever
GShe just wants to be Fhigh
CShe wants to be Ampretty forever
GShe just wants to be Ftied, tiedC  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sounds best with barre chords throughout, except for C chord in bridge
(she's too smart for that & keep her mouth shut) and C, Am and G chords
        Dx2
Dm,     Gx2
DmWhat would she do?
GIf she could kick time?
DmWould she go back?
GHer arms were mine
DmWould you go back to four weeks agGo?
Whoever eveDmrythingG  
DmHow could she pick
And how could she Gsay
She's already made too many mistDmakes
She's first at the walls, little baby onesG  
She'd try to cage it if she weren't Ctoo smart for Fthat
If she weren't Ctoo smart for Fthat
CShe wants be Amhappy forever
GShe just wants to be Fhigh
CShe wants to be Ampretty forever
GShe just wants to be Ftied
    Dx2
DmShe'd be your mother if she had a cGhoice
She'd make more money if she were a Dmboy
We put her away, but she'd try it aGgain
She'd try it again, and keep her Cmouth shutF  
Yeah, she'd keep herC... mouth Fshut
C, Am, G, F  
CWhat would we do?
AmIf it wouldn't matter
GWe'd still fall apart
FOne way or another
CSo would the city
And so would the Ameast
  GAnd so on
  FAnd so on
CShe wants be Amhappy forever
GShe just wants to be Fhigh
CShe wants to be Ampretty forever
GShe just wants to be Ftied, tied
CShe wants to be
She wants to bAme
She wants to Gbe
Just wants to be Ftied, tied
   CPretty foreAmver
Pretty forFever
Pretty foGreverC  

All chords in this song (9)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

Pretty Forever

by The National

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

I've put down the chords for two slightly different versions, The Black Sessions version,

D5 F5 G5

, , x2

What would she do?

F5 G5

If she could kick time?

Would she go back?

F5 G5

Her arms were mine

D5 F5

Would you go back to four weeks ago?

And tell her everything

D5 F5 G5

Whoever everything

How could she pick

And how could she say

G5 D5

She's already made too many mistakes

She's first at the walls, little baby ones

G5 C F

She'd try to cage it if she weren't too smart for that

C F

If she weren't too smart for that

C Am

She wants be happy forever

G F

She just wants to be high

C Am

She wants to be pretty forever

G F

She just wants to be tied

D5 F5

She'd be your mother if she had a choice

G5 D5

She'd make more money if she were a boy

We put her away, but she'd try it again

G5 C F

She'd try it again, and keep her mouth shut

C F

Yeah, she'd keep her... mouth shut

C Am G F

, , ,

What would we do?

If it wouldn't matter

We'd still fall apart

One way or another

So would the city

And so would the east

And so on

C Am

She wants be happy forever

G F

She just wants to be high

C Am

She wants to be pretty forever

G F C

She just wants to be tied, tied

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sounds best with barre chords throughout, except for C chord in bridge

(she's too smart for that & keep her mouth shut) and C, Am and G chords

Dm G

, x2

What would she do?

If she could kick time?

Would she go back?

Her arms were mine

Dm G

Would you go back to four weeks ago?

Dm G

Whoever everything

How could she pick

And how could she say

She's already made too many mistakes

She's first at the walls, little baby ones

C F

She'd try to cage it if she weren't too smart for that

C F

If she weren't too smart for that

C Am

She wants be happy forever

G F

She just wants to be high

C Am

She wants to be pretty forever

G F

She just wants to be tied

Dm G

She'd be your mother if she had a choice

She'd make more money if she were a boy

We put her away, but she'd try it again

C F

She'd try it again, and keep her mouth shut

C F

Yeah, she'd keep her... mouth shut

C Am G F

, , ,

What would we do?

If it wouldn't matter

We'd still fall apart

One way or another

So would the city

And so would the east

And so on

C Am

She wants be happy forever

G F

She just wants to be high

C Am

She wants to be pretty forever

G F

She just wants to be tied, tied

She wants to be

Just wants to be tied, tied

C Am

Pretty forever

G C

Pretty forever

About Pretty Forever Chords by The National

Learn how to play Pretty Forever by The National with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Pretty Forever chords”, “Pretty Forever guitar chords”, or “The National Pretty Forever 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 Pretty Forever chords and for experienced players who want accurate Pretty Forever lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D5, F5, G5, C, F, Am.

FAQ — Pretty Forever by The National

How do I play "Pretty Forever" by The National on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Pretty Forever" by The National 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 "Pretty Forever" by The National free?

Yes. The chords for "Pretty Forever" by The National are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Pretty Forever" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Pretty Forever"?

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

Is "Pretty Forever" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Pretty Forever" by The National with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The National below.

What key is "Pretty Forever" in?

The chords for "Pretty Forever" show the original chord names (including D5, F5, G5, C, F, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.