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The Way It Always Starts

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BIt gets so dark before the Edawn
EThat's when it gets to me
EBefore the city symphony of Ataxi hornsF#m  
BThat's the F#mway it always Bstarts
ASitting here and waiting on the Bbeating of my AheartB  
BLast night I thought I heard my Ename
EWell it was too dark to see, but it had to be
EThe voice was Ajust the sameF#m  A  
BThat's the way it always starts
ASitting here and waiting on the Bbeating of my Aheart
ESo tell me why should it have to be this way
EWhy can't it be all right
EWhy can't I sleep at night?
EWhy should it have to be this way?
EWhy must there be this price to pay?
   BHmmmEmmmmmmmmmBm
[Bridge]
B E A E B A E G#m E B E A E B A E B E
BNow all the streets are dark and Ebare
EOh, if you can live in this town
EAnd stick around, you can live AanywhereF#m  A  
BThat's the way it always starts
ASitting here and waiting on the Bbeating of my AheaaaaBaaaaaAaaaaaaBaaaaarEt
[Outro]
A E B A E B E A E B E F#m A E G#m B E

All chords in this song (5)

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The Way It Always Starts

by Mark Knopfler

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

G#m

B E

It gets so dark before the dawn

That's when it gets to me

E A F#m

Before the city symphony of taxi horns

B F#m B

That's the way it always starts

A B A B

Sitting here and waiting on the beating of my heart

B E

Last night I thought I heard my name

Well it was too dark to see, but it had to be

E A F#m A

The voice was just the same

That's the way it always starts

A B A

Sitting here and waiting on the beating of my heart

So tell me why should it have to be this way

Why can't it be all right

Why can't I sleep at night?

Why should it have to be this way?

Why must there be this price to pay?

B E B

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Bridge]

B E A E B A E G#m E B E A E B A E B E

B E

Now all the streets are dark and bare

Oh, if you can live in this town

E A F#m A

And stick around, you can live anywhere

That's the way it always starts

A B A B A B E

Sitting here and waiting on the beating of my heaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaart

[Outro]

A E B A E B E A E B E F#m A E G#m B E

About The Way It Always Starts Chords by Mark Knopfler

Learn how to play The Way It Always Starts by Mark Knopfler with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Way It Always Starts chords”, “The Way It Always Starts guitar chords”, or “Mark Knopfler The Way It Always Starts 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 Way It Always Starts chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Way It Always Starts lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, E, A, F#m, G#m.

FAQ — The Way It Always Starts by Mark Knopfler

How do I play "The Way It Always Starts" by Mark Knopfler on guitar?

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Are the chords for "The Way It Always Starts" by Mark Knopfler free?

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Can I transpose "The Way It Always Starts" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Way It Always Starts"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Way It Always Starts" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Way It Always Starts" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Way It Always Starts" by Mark Knopfler with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Mark Knopfler below.

What key is "The Way It Always Starts" in?

The chords for "The Way It Always Starts" show the original chord names (including B, E, A, F#m, G#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.