Now playing

Giving Up

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
F#   F#m7   F#m6  B   Bm  D
F#m    F    B7    A6
[Verse 1]
   F#mGiving up
   B7Is hard to do
   AWhen you rC#7eally
Love someone
   F#m7Giving up
   B7So hard to do
    AWhen you C#still depend C#7uponF#7  
    A7Her warm and tDender touch
    C#7Her kiss and F#7her caressB7  
    B7Ooh, that useE7d to mean Bm6so much
    Fbm7And bring Ab7you hapC#m7piness (whoa)
[Verse 2]
   F#mGiving up
   B7So hard to do
I've Atried (uh uh)C#7  
But it just ain't no use
F#m7Giving upF#m  
  B7So hard to do
  AI said I've triedC#/G#  
But iC#7t just ain't no useF#m7  
[Bridge]
But my B7light of hope
Is burning dimC#m7  Abm7  
BuF#7t, but in my heart I prayB7, yeah
That my love E7and faith
In the girl
      Ebm7Whoah WiAb7ll bring her back one F#/C#day
Yeah YeahC#  
[Sax Solo]
F#m  F#   B7   B   A
[Vocal ad lib]
    C#7I'm talking about
N.C.
When you really love someone  yeah
[Continue Sax solo]
F#m    B7   A     C#
 [Verse]
OF#7oh, whether
Whether she knBows or not
   C#7She reF#7ally needs me tooB7  
       B7The little gE7irl
Is all I got
Yes she isEbm7  
Ab7And giving up
   C#7Giving up is so hard to do
Whoah
[Chorus]
F#m7Giving upB7  
   B7So hard to doF#6  F#7  
    F#m7Giving up
    B7So very hard to do
    F#7I said I've tried it
    B7Hey But I just can't get loose
    F#m7Woooh Giving upB7  
So hard for me to doF#7  
I F#m7don't want to lose B7you
'Cause you mean
So much to meF#m7  
Ooooh Giving uB6p...

All chords in this song (24)

🎸 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

Giving Up

by Donny Hathaway

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m7

F#m6

F#m

C#7

F#7

Bm6

Ab7

C#m7

C#/G#

Abm7

Ebm7

F#/C#

[Intro]

F# F#m7 F#m6 B Bm D

F#m F B7 A6

[Verse 1]

F#m

Giving up

Is hard to do

A C#7

When you really

Love someone

F#m7

Giving up

So hard to do

A C# C#7 F#7

When you still depend upon

A7 D

Her warm and tender touch

C#7 F#7 B7

Her kiss and her caress

B7 E7 Bm6

Ooh, that used to mean so much

Fbm7 Ab7 C#m7

And bring you happiness (whoa)

[Verse 2]

F#m

Giving up

So hard to do

A C#7

I've tried (uh uh)

But it just ain't no use

F#m7 F#m

Giving up

So hard to do

A C#/G#

I said I've tried

C#7 F#m7

But it just ain't no use

[Bridge]

But my light of hope

C#m7 Abm7

Is burning dim

F#7 B7

But, but in my heart I pray, yeah

That my love and faith

In the girl

Ebm7 Ab7 F#/C#

Whoah Will bring her back one day

Yeah Yeah

[Sax Solo]

F#m F# B7 B A

[Vocal ad lib]

C#7

I'm talking about

N.C.

When you really love someone yeah

[Continue Sax solo]

F#m B7 A C#

[Verse]

F#7

Ooh, whether

Whether she knows or not

C#7 F#7 B7

She really needs me too

B7 E7

The little girl

Is all I got

Ebm7

Yes she is

Ab7

And giving up

C#7

Giving up is so hard to do

Whoah

[Chorus]

F#m7 B7

Giving up

B7 F#6 F#7

So hard to do

F#m7

Giving up

So very hard to do

F#7

I said I've tried it

Hey But I just can't get loose

F#m7 B7

Woooh Giving up

F#7

So hard for me to do

F#m7 B7

I don't want to lose you

'Cause you mean

F#m7

So much to me

Ooooh Giving up...

About Giving Up Chords by Donny Hathaway

Learn how to play Giving Up by Donny Hathaway with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Giving Up chords”, “Giving Up guitar chords”, or “Donny Hathaway Giving Up 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 Giving Up chords and for experienced players who want accurate Giving Up lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F#, F#m7, F#m6, B, Bm, D.

FAQ — Giving Up by Donny Hathaway

How do I play "Giving Up" by Donny Hathaway on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Giving Up" by Donny Hathaway 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 "Giving Up" by Donny Hathaway free?

Yes. The chords for "Giving Up" by Donny Hathaway are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Giving Up" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Giving Up"?

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

Is "Giving Up" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Giving Up" by Donny Hathaway with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Donny Hathaway below.

What key is "Giving Up" in?

The chords for "Giving Up" show the original chord names (including F#, F#m7, F#m6, B, Bm, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.