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What It Takes

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Aminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/6

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 6Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

INTRO: Play Am, C, G with each followed by the riff below
e|-------3---
B|---0h1-----
G|-----------
D|-----------
A|-----------
E|-----------
Then, after Am, C, and G; play Am again followed by this riff:
e|-----------
B|-------1---
G|---0h2-----
D|-----------
A|-----------
E|-----------
So it should go - Am (riff 1), C (riff 1), G (riff 1), Am (riff 2)
  AmI learn what I know
  CBut I was born this way
  GMore of a number
  AmAnd less of a name
  AmI talk a little too quiet
  CAnd not enough they say
  GI only tell my secrets 
When it’s Amtime to pray
You Amwouldn’t see the war just lookin’ from the Coutside
I’ve got Amred dirt blood here runnin on the Ginside
 CSink or swim, Glive or die
AmA saving grace and a blue sky
 CAll alone, and Gunafraid
 AmIt’s never just another day
And you Amdon’t back down or walk away
But I know, I do, I Gam
What it takesC  
What it takes
 AmWash away my footprints
 CWith the undertow 
 GWhile I’ll walk the wire, of the Amgreat unknown
 AmI got two parts too
 CMy storied soul
 GOne stands with my brothers, Amone waits for me back at home
 CSink or swim, Glive or die
AmA saving grace and a blue sky
 CAll alone, and Gunafraid
 AmIt’s never just another day
And you Amdon’t back down or walk away
But I know, I do, I Gam
What it takesC  
You Amwouldn’t see the war just lookin’ from the Coutside
I’ve got Amred dirt blood here runnin on the Ginside
 CSink or swim, Glive or die
AmA saving grace and a blue sky
 CAll alone, and Gunafraid
 AmIt’s never just another day
And you Amdon’t back down or walk away
But I know, I do, I Gam
What it takesC  
Oh what it takes
What it takes

All chords in this song (3)

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What It Takes

by Montgomery Gentry

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

INTRO: Play Am, C, G with each followed by the riff below

e|-------3---

B|---0h1-----

G|-----------

D|-----------

A|-----------

E|-----------

Then, after Am, C, and G; play Am again followed by this riff:

e|-----------

B|-------1---

G|---0h2-----

D|-----------

A|-----------

E|-----------

So it should go - Am (riff 1), C (riff 1), G (riff 1), Am (riff 2)

I learn what I know

But I was born this way

More of a number

And less of a name

I talk a little too quiet

And not enough they say

I only tell my secrets

When it’s time to pray

Am C

You wouldn’t see the war just lookin’ from the outside

Am G

I’ve got red dirt blood here runnin on the inside

C G

Sink or swim, live or die

A saving grace and a blue sky

C G

All alone, and unafraid

It’s never just another day

And you don’t back down or walk away

But I know, I do, I am

What it takes

Wash away my footprints

With the undertow

G Am

While I’ll walk the wire, of the great unknown

I got two parts too

My storied soul

G Am

One stands with my brothers, one waits for me back at home

C G

Sink or swim, live or die

A saving grace and a blue sky

C G

All alone, and unafraid

It’s never just another day

And you don’t back down or walk away

But I know, I do, I am

What it takes

Am C

You wouldn’t see the war just lookin’ from the outside

Am G

I’ve got red dirt blood here runnin on the inside

C G

Sink or swim, live or die

A saving grace and a blue sky

C G

All alone, and unafraid

It’s never just another day

And you don’t back down or walk away

But I know, I do, I am

What it takes

Oh what it takes

What it takes

About What It Takes Chords by Montgomery Gentry

Learn how to play What It Takes by Montgomery Gentry with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “What It Takes chords”, “What It Takes guitar chords”, or “Montgomery Gentry What It Takes 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 What It Takes chords and for experienced players who want accurate What It Takes lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, C, G, B, D, A.

FAQ — What It Takes by Montgomery Gentry

How do I play "What It Takes" by Montgomery Gentry on guitar?

Open the free chords for "What It Takes" by Montgomery Gentry 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 "What It Takes" by Montgomery Gentry free?

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Can I transpose "What It Takes" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "What It Takes"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "What It Takes" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "What It Takes" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "What It Takes" by Montgomery Gentry with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Montgomery Gentry below.

What key is "What It Takes" in?

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