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World Leader Pretend

Chords

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World Leader Pretend
From the Album “Green”
BmAdd4 x-2-4-4-3-0
[Intro]
Em(thBme G EmanBmd A EmarBmadd4e only Ga Ahalf measure each)
[Verse 1]
  DI sit at my taGble
  Cand wage wDar on myseDlf
  It seGems like it's alCl,
  it's all for nDothing
  DI know the bGarricades,
  Cand I know the Dmortar in the Dwall breaks
  I recGognize the weapons,
  CI useDd them well
[Chorus 1]
Em  Bm
  EmThis is my mistake.
  BmLet me make it good
  EmI raised the wall,
  and BmI will be the Bmadd4one to knock it downG  A  
[Verse 2]
  DI've a rich understGanding of
  my fCinest defDenses
  DI proclaim the clGaims are left unstCated,
  I demDand a rematch
  DI decreGe a stalemate,
  CI divDine my deeper motives
  DI recognize the wGeapons
  CI've practiced them Dwell. I fitted them myself
[Chorus 2]
  EmIt's amazing what devices
  Bmyou can sympathize (empathize)
  EmThis is my mistake.
  BmLet me make it good
  EmI raised the walls,
  and BmI will be the Bmadd4one to knock it downG  A  
[Bridge]
  AmReach out for mCe 
  and ho-Amold me tight. Hold that mCemory
  Let my Ammachine talk to me.
  Let Cmy machine tGalk to meA  
[Verse 3]
  DThis is mGy world
  and CI am the Dworld leader pretend
  DThis is mGy life
  Cand thDis is my time
  DI have been gGiven
  the frCeedom to Ddo as I see fDit
  It's hGigh time
  I rCazed the walls that ID've constructed
[Chorus 3]
  EmIt's amazing what devices
  Bmyou can sympathize (empathize)
  EmThis is my mistake.
  BmLet me make it good
  EmI raised the walls, 
  and BmI will be the Bmadd4one to knock it downG  A  
[Chorus 4]
  EmYou fill in the mortar.
  BmYou fill in the harmony
  EmYou fill in the mortar.
  BmI raised the walls
  And EmI'm the only one,
  BmI will be the Bmadd4one to knock it downG  A  Em  

All chords in this song (8)

The story behind the song

"World Leader Pretend" comes from R.E.M.'s 1988 album Green, an album where the band continued to explore political issues in its lyrics. The song itself is a first-person narrative, a direct address from the perspective of someone who feels they have been wronged or are in a position of power, grappling with the weight of their decisions and the consequences for others. It carries a sense of internal conflict and perhaps a plea for understanding or forgiveness. When playing, channel the gravity of leadership and the personal toll of public responsibility.

AI-written from these sources:Green (R.E.M. album) — Wikipedia ↗R.E.M. — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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World Leader Pretend

by R.E.M.

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Bmadd4

World Leader Pretend

From the Album “Green”

BmAdd4 x-2-4-4-3-0

[Intro]

Em Bm Em Bm Em Bmadd4 G A

(the G and A are only a half measure each)

[Verse 1]

D G

I sit at my table

C D D

and wage war on myself

G C

It seems like it's all,

it's all for nothing

D G

I know the barricades,

C D D

and I know the mortar in the wall breaks

I recognize the weapons,

C D

I used them well

[Chorus 1]

Em Bm

This is my mistake.

Let me make it good

I raised the wall,

Bm Bmadd4 G A

and I will be the one to knock it down

[Verse 2]

D G

I've a rich understanding of

C D

my finest defenses

D G C

I proclaim the claims are left unstated,

I demand a rematch

D G

I decree a stalemate,

C D

I divine my deeper motives

D G

I recognize the weapons

C D

I've practiced them well. I fitted them myself

[Chorus 2]

It's amazing what devices

you can sympathize (empathize)

This is my mistake.

Let me make it good

I raised the walls,

Bm Bmadd4 G A

and I will be the one to knock it down

[Bridge]

Am C

Reach out for me

Am C

and ho-old me tight. Hold that memory

Let my machine talk to me.

C G A

Let my machine talk to me

[Verse 3]

D G

This is my world

C D

and I am the world leader pretend

D G

This is my life

C D

and this is my time

D G

I have been given

C D D

the freedom to do as I see fit

It's high time

C D

I razed the walls that I've constructed

[Chorus 3]

It's amazing what devices

you can sympathize (empathize)

This is my mistake.

Let me make it good

I raised the walls,

Bm Bmadd4 G A

and I will be the one to knock it down

[Chorus 4]

You fill in the mortar.

You fill in the harmony

You fill in the mortar.

I raised the walls

And I'm the only one,

Bm Bmadd4 G A Em

I will be the one to knock it down

About World Leader Pretend Chords by R.E.M.

Learn how to play World Leader Pretend by R.E.M. with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “World Leader Pretend chords”, “World Leader Pretend guitar chords”, or “R.E.M. World Leader Pretend 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 World Leader Pretend chords and for experienced players who want accurate World Leader Pretend lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, Bm, Bmadd4, G, A, D.

FAQ — World Leader Pretend by R.E.M.

How do I play "World Leader Pretend" by R.E.M. on guitar?

Open the free chords for "World Leader Pretend" by R.E.M. 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 "World Leader Pretend" by R.E.M. free?

Yes. The chords for "World Leader Pretend" by R.E.M. are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "World Leader Pretend" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "World Leader Pretend"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "World Leader Pretend" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "World Leader Pretend" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "World Leader Pretend" by R.E.M. with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by R.E.M. below.

What key is "World Leader Pretend" in?

The chords for "World Leader Pretend" show the original chord names (including Em, Bm, Bmadd4, G, A, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.