Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Telling Stories

Chords

4.8164 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Em(alternately double pick/strum E string and D string)
[Verse 1]
There is Emfiction in the space beCtween 
The Glines on your page of D6/F#memories
Write it Emdown, but it doesn't Cmean
You're Gnot just telling D6/F#stories
[Instrumental]
 Em   C   G    D6/F#(2x)
[Verse 2]
There is Emfiction in the space betCween
GYou and reD6/F#ality
You would Emdo and say anyCthing
To make your Geveryday life seem D6/F#less mundane
There is Emfiction in the space betCween
GYou and D6/F#me
[Instrumental]
 Em   C   G    D6/F#(2x)
[Verse 3]
There's a science Emfiction in the space beCtween
GYou and D6/F#me
A fabriEmcation of a grand Cscheme
Where GI am the scary D6/F#monster
I eat the Emcity and as I leave the Cscene
In my Gspaceship I am D6/F#laughing
In your reEmmembrance of a bad Cdream
There's Gno one but you D6/F#standing
[Instrumental]
 Em   C   G    D6/F#(2x)
[Bridge]
DLeave the pity and the blame Cfor the ones who Gdo not speak
DYou write the words to get respect and compassion Cand for posGterity
CYou write the words and Emmake believe there is Gtruth in the Dspace beEmtween
[Instrumental]
Em
(same style as Intro)
[Verse 4]
There is Emfiction in the space beCtween
GYou and everyD6/F#body
EmGive us all what we Cneed
Give us Gone more sad, D6/F#sordid story
In the Emfiction of the space beCtween
              G   D6/F#N.C.                  Em  C  
Sometimes a lie      is the best thing
              G   D6/F#N.C.                Em   C   G  D6/F#  
Sometimes a lie      is the best thing
Oh, the best thingEm  C  G  D6/F#  
Is the best thingEm  C  G  D6/F#  
[Outro]
Em C G D6/F#
Em(Repeat Intro)

The story behind the song

"Telling Stories" is the title track from Tracy Chapman's fifth album, released in 2000. This album marked her return to recording after a four-year hiatus, her longest at the time. For this record, she reunited with David Kershenbaum, who produced her debut album and co-produced her second. The album features a blend of contemporary rock and folk songs, and saw Chapman returning to shorter song formats.

AI-written from these sources:Telling Stories (album) — Wikipedia ↗Tracy Chapman — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 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

Telling Stories

by Tracy Chapman

Lyrics & chords · Original key

[Intro]

(alternately double pick/strum E string and D string)

[Verse 1]

Em C

There is fiction in the space between

G D6/F#

The lines on your page of memories

Em C

Write it down, but it doesn't mean

G D6/F#

You're not just telling stories

[Instrumental]

Em C G D6/F#

(2x)

[Verse 2]

Em C

There is fiction in the space between

G D6/F#

You and reality

Em C

You would do and say anything

G D6/F#

To make your everyday life seem less mundane

Em C

There is fiction in the space between

G D6/F#

You and me

[Instrumental]

Em C G D6/F#

(2x)

[Verse 3]

Em C

There's a science fiction in the space between

G D6/F#

You and me

Em C

A fabrication of a grand scheme

G D6/F#

Where I am the scary monster

Em C

I eat the city and as I leave the scene

G D6/F#

In my spaceship I am laughing

Em C

In your remembrance of a bad dream

G D6/F#

There's no one but you standing

[Instrumental]

Em C G D6/F#

(2x)

[Bridge]

D C G

Leave the pity and the blame for the ones who do not speak

D C G

You write the words to get respect and compassion and for posterity

C Em G D Em

You write the words and make believe there is truth in the space between

[Instrumental]

(same style as Intro)

[Verse 4]

Em C

There is fiction in the space between

G D6/F#

You and everybody

Em C

Give us all what we need

G D6/F#

Give us one more sad, sordid story

Em C

In the fiction of the space between

G D6/F# Em C

N.C.

Sometimes a lie is the best thing

G D6/F# Em C G D6/F#

N.C.

Sometimes a lie is the best thing

Em C G D6/F#

Oh, the best thing

Em C G D6/F#

Is the best thing

[Outro]

Em C G D6/F#

(Repeat Intro)

About Telling Stories Chords by Tracy Chapman

Learn how to play Telling Stories by Tracy Chapman with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Telling Stories chords”, “Telling Stories guitar chords”, or “Tracy Chapman Telling Stories 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 Telling Stories chords and for experienced players who want accurate Telling Stories lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, E, D, C, G, D6/F#.

FAQ — Telling Stories by Tracy Chapman

How do I play "Telling Stories" by Tracy Chapman on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Telling Stories" by Tracy Chapman 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 "Telling Stories" by Tracy Chapman free?

Yes. The chords for "Telling Stories" by Tracy Chapman are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Telling Stories" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Telling Stories"?

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

Is "Telling Stories" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Telling Stories" by Tracy Chapman with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tracy Chapman below.

What key is "Telling Stories" in?

The chords for "Telling Stories" show the original chord names (including Em, E, D, C, G, D6/F#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.