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

Idol

Chords

4.97 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro](Solo Piano)
Am9  Bm7   Em  F9  Bm7 Abdim/E Ddim/E
[Verse 1]
OAm7h, he was a light star
TrBm7ipping on a high wire
BuAbmaj7lldog stubborn and boEbmaj7rn uneven
A Baugclassless creature
    Abdim/       E  Am7  
A man for all seasons but don't bet them
They can't tBm7ake him to the very bottom
Because Abmaj7they made him and they'lEbmaj7l waste him
And I don't beBauglieve thaAbdim/Et I want Abdimto watch Am7them
[Piano interlude]
Am9 Bm9 Abmaj7   Ebmaj7
[Chorus]
Because tBaughe fifties shiAbdim/Efted out of Am9gearEm/A  
He was an iD7dol then, now Ghe's an iG7/Bdol herCe
CBut his fD/Cace has changed, heBm7's not the same, Em7no more
A7And I have to say tB7hat I like the waAbdim/Ey his music sounded bAm7efore
[Verse 2]
He was Am9tight-assed
Bm9Walking on broken glass
Abmaj7Highly prized in the walEbmaj7let size
The number Baugone crush in a Abdim/Eschoolgirl's Am9eyes
Am9But don't pretend that it won't Bm9end
In the depth of your despair
Abmaj7You went from lame suits right down to tEbmaj7ennis shoes
To pBaugeanuts fAbdim/Erom the lion's sAm7hare, aAm9lright
[Interlude]
Am9 Bm9 Abmaj7 Ebmaj7
[Chorus]
Because tBaughe fifties shiAbdim/Efted out of Am9gearEm/A  
He was an iD7dol then, now Ghe's an iG7/Bdol herCe
CBut his fD/Cace has changed, heBm7's not the same, Em7no more
A7And I have to say tB7hat I like the waAbdim/Ey his music sounded bAm7efore
[Outro]
Am9 Bm9 Abmaj7   Ebmaj7
Ending
Baug Abdim/E                    Am9

All chords in this song (22)

🎸 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

Idol

by Elton John

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Am9

Bm7

Abdim/E

Ddim/E

Am7

Abmaj7

Ebmaj7

Baug

Abdim

Bm9

Em/A

G7/B

D/C

Em7

[Intro](Solo Piano)

Am9 Bm7 Em F9 Bm7 Abdim/E Ddim/E

[Verse 1]

Am7

Oh, he was a light star

Bm7

Tripping on a high wire

Abmaj7 Ebmaj7

Bulldog stubborn and born uneven

Baug

A classless creature

Abdim E Am7

A man for all seasons but don't bet them

Bm7

They can't take him to the very bottom

Abmaj7 Ebmaj7

Because they made him and they'll waste him

Baug Abdim/E Abdim Am7

And I don't believe that I want to watch them

[Piano interlude]

Am9 Bm9 Abmaj7 Ebmaj7

[Chorus]

Baug Abdim/E Am9 Em/A

Because the fifties shifted out of gear

D7 G G7/B C

He was an idol then, now he's an idol here

C D/C Bm7 Em7

But his face has changed, he's not the same, no more

A7 B7 Abdim/E Am7

And I have to say that I like the way his music sounded before

[Verse 2]

Am9

He was tight-assed

Bm9

Walking on broken glass

Abmaj7 Ebmaj7

Highly prized in the wallet size

Baug Abdim/E Am9

The number one crush in a schoolgirl's eyes

Am9 Bm9

But don't pretend that it won't end

In the depth of your despair

Abmaj7 Ebmaj7

You went from lame suits right down to tennis shoes

Baug Abdim/E Am7 Am9

To peanuts from the lion's share, alright

[Interlude]

Am9 Bm9 Abmaj7 Ebmaj7

[Chorus]

Baug Abdim/E Am9 Em/A

Because the fifties shifted out of gear

D7 G G7/B C

He was an idol then, now he's an idol here

C D/C Bm7 Em7

But his face has changed, he's not the same, no more

A7 B7 Abdim/E Am7

And I have to say that I like the way his music sounded before

[Outro]

Am9 Bm9 Abmaj7 Ebmaj7

Ending

Baug Abdim/E Am9

About Idol Chords by Elton John

Learn how to play Idol by Elton John with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Idol chords”, “Idol guitar chords”, or “Elton John Idol 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 Idol chords and for experienced players who want accurate Idol lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am9, Bm7, Em, F9, Abdim/E, Ddim/E.

FAQ — Idol by Elton John

How do I play "Idol" by Elton John on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Idol" by Elton John 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 "Idol" by Elton John free?

Yes. The chords for "Idol" by Elton John are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Idol" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Idol"?

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

Is "Idol" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Idol" by Elton John with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Elton John below.

What key is "Idol" in?

The chords for "Idol" show the original chord names (including Am9, Bm7, Em, F9, Abdim/E, Ddim/E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.