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The Only Thing

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Eminor

90BPM

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[Intro]
C  G  Am  C D
Am G  Am  C D
[Verse]
CThe only thGing that keeAmps me from driGving this carD  
EmHalf-light JGackknife Aminto the cCanyon at nDight
CSigns and WGonders: PAmerseus alGigned with the Dskull
EmSlain MeGdusa: PAmegasus aliCght from us allD  
[Chorus]
Do I Emcare if I Gsurvive this? CBury the dead where they're Dfound
In a Emveil of great Gsurprises, CI wonder did you love me at Dall
[Verse]
CThe only Gthing that keAmeps me from cutGting my armD  
EmCross-hatch Gwarm batAmh Holiday CInn after darkD  
CSigns and WGonders: Amwater stain Gwriting the Dwall
EmDaniel's Gmessage: Amblood of thCe moon on us allD  
[Chorus]
Do I caEmre if I dGespise this? CNothing else matters, I Dknow.
In a veEmil of great dGisguises, Chow do I live with your Dghost?
[Verse]
Should I tEmear my eyes out now?D  
EveEmrything I Csee Greturns to you soDmehow.
Should I teEmar my heart out now?D  
EveryEmthing I Cfeel Greturns to you somDehow. mmmm
I want to Csave you from your sDorrow.
[Interlude]
C  G  Am  G D
Em  G  C  D
[Verse]
CThe only Greason Amwhy I coGntinue at Dall
EmFaith iGn reason, AmI wasted mCy life playing duDmb.
CSigns and GWonders: AmSea Lion Gcaves in the Ddark.
          Em           G         Am                     CDE
Blind faith, God's grace, nothing else left to impart.
[Chorus]
Do I Emcare if I Gsurvive this? CBury the dead where they're Dfound.
In a Emveil of great sGurprises, Chold onto my head til I Ddrown.
Should I Emtear my eyes Gout Cnow before I see too mDuch?
Should I Emtear my arms Goff Cnow, I want to feel your Dtouch.
Should I Emtear my eyes out now?D  
EveryEmthing I Csee Greturns to you somDehow.
Should I Emtear my heart out now?D  
EveryEmthing I Cfeel Greturns to you somDehow.
[Outro]
C  G  Am  G D
Em  G  C  D  C  G

All chords in this song (5)

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The Only Thing

by Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

C G Am C D

Am G Am C D

[Verse]

C G Am G D

The only thing that keeps me from driving this car

Em G Am C D

Half-light Jackknife into the canyon at night

C G Am G D

Signs and Wonders: Perseus aligned with the skull

Em G Am C D

Slain Medusa: Pegasus alight from us all

[Chorus]

Em G C D

Do I care if I survive this? Bury the dead where they're found

Em G C D

In a veil of great surprises, I wonder did you love me at all

[Verse]

C G Am G D

The only thing that keeps me from cutting my arm

Em G Am C D

Cross-hatch warm bath Holiday Inn after dark

C G Am G D

Signs and Wonders: water stain writing the wall

Em G Am C D

Daniel's message: blood of the moon on us all

[Chorus]

Em G C D

Do I care if I despise this? Nothing else matters, I know.

Em G C D

In a veil of great disguises, how do I live with your ghost?

[Verse]

Em D

Should I tear my eyes out now?

Em C G D

Everything I see returns to you somehow.

Em D

Should I tear my heart out now?

Em C G D

Everything I feel returns to you somehow. mmmm

C D

I want to save you from your sorrow.

[Interlude]

C G Am G D

Em G C D

[Verse]

C G Am G D

The only reason why I continue at all

Em G Am C D

Faith in reason, I wasted my life playing dumb.

C G Am G D

Signs and Wonders: Sea Lion caves in the dark.

Em G Am C

Blind faith, God's grace, nothing else left to impart.

[Chorus]

Em G C D

Do I care if I survive this? Bury the dead where they're found.

Em G C D

In a veil of great surprises, hold onto my head til I drown.

Em G C D

Should I tear my eyes out now before I see too much?

Em G C D

Should I tear my arms off now, I want to feel your touch.

Em D

Should I tear my eyes out now?

Em C G D

Everything I see returns to you somehow.

Em D

Should I tear my heart out now?

Em C G D

Everything I feel returns to you somehow.

[Outro]

C G Am G D

Em G C D C G

About The Only Thing Chords by Sufjan Stevens

Learn how to play The Only Thing by Sufjan Stevens with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Only Thing chords”, “The Only Thing guitar chords”, or “Sufjan Stevens The Only Thing 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 The Only Thing chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Only Thing lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, Am, D, Em.

FAQ — The Only Thing by Sufjan Stevens

How do I play "The Only Thing" by Sufjan Stevens on guitar?

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Is "The Only Thing" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Only Thing" in?

The chords for "The Only Thing" show the original chord names (including C, G, Am, D, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.