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45

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Amixolydian

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse]
ABells are chimiGng for DvictoryC  D  
DThere's a page Cback in Ghistory
AForty fiveG  A  G  
AThey came back Gto the Dworld that they fought CforD  
DDidn't turn out Cjust Glike they thought
AForty fiveG  A  
[Chorus]
DHere is a Esong to sing Dto do the Emeasuring
D/AWhat you lose, what you gaE/Bin, what you win?
[Verse]
ANine years lateGr a Dchild is bornC  D  
DThere's a record, Cso you Gput it on
AForty fiveG  A  
ANine years more, Gif we're Dlucky nowC  D  
DNine year old Cputs his Gmoney down
AForty fiveG  A  
[Verse]
AEvery scratch, Gevery Dclick, every heartCbeatD  
DEvery breath Cthat I Gheld for you
AForty fiveG  A  
AThere's a stack Gof shelDlac and viCnylD  
DWhich is yours Cnow and Gwhich is mine?
AForty fiveG  A  
[Chorus]
DHere is a Esong to sing Dto do the Emeasuring
DWhat you lose, what you Egain, what you win?
[Verse]
ABass and treGble heal Devery hurtC  D  
DThere's a reCbel in a Gnylon shirt
ABut the words Gare a Dmystery, I've heard
[Bridge]
F#m'Til you turn it down to Bmthirty three and a third
A'Cause it helps Gwith the DelocuCtionD  
DCorporaCtions turn Grevolutions
AForty fiveG  A  
[Chorus]
DSo don't you Eweep and shed
DJust change your Ename instead
DWhat you lose when it Eall goes to your head?
[Verse]
AI heard someGthing peDculiar CsaidD  
D"Perhaps he's got a Cshot and Gnow he's dead"
AForty fiveG  A  
ABells are chiGming and Dtears are falClingD  
DIt creeps up on Cyou withGout a warning
AForty fiveG  A  
AEvery scratch, Gevery Dclick, every heartCbeatD  
DEvery breath Cthat I Gbless I'd be lost, I confess
[Outtro]
AForty five,  G      A    G  Aforty-five,G  A  G  
AForty five,  G      A    G  Aforty-five,  G      A  Gyeah
  AOoo ooo Gooo Aooo oo-oo ooo Gooo
  AOoo ooo Gooo Aooo oo-oo ooo Gooo
  AOoo ooo Gooo Aooo oo-oo ooo Gooo

All chords in this song (9)

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by Elvis Costello

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/A

E/B

F#m

[Verse]

A G D C D

Bells are chiming for victory

D C G

There's a page back in history

A G A G

Forty five

A G D C D

They came back to the world that they fought for

D C G

Didn't turn out just like they thought

A G A

Forty five

[Chorus]

D E D E

Here is a song to sing to do the measuring

D/A E/B

What you lose, what you gain, what you win?

[Verse]

A G D C D

Nine years later a child is born

D C G

There's a record, so you put it on

A G A

Forty five

A G D C D

Nine years more, if we're lucky now

D C G

Nine year old puts his money down

A G A

Forty five

[Verse]

A G D C D

Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat

D C G

Every breath that I held for you

A G A

Forty five

A G D C D

There's a stack of shellac and vinyl

D C G

Which is yours now and which is mine?

A G A

Forty five

[Chorus]

D E D E

Here is a song to sing to do the measuring

D E

What you lose, what you gain, what you win?

[Verse]

A G D C D

Bass and treble heal every hurt

D C G

There's a rebel in a nylon shirt

A G D

But the words are a mystery, I've heard

[Bridge]

F#m Bm

'Til you turn it down to thirty three and a third

A G D C D

'Cause it helps with the elocution

D C G

Corporations turn revolutions

A G A

Forty five

[Chorus]

D E

So don't you weep and shed

D E

Just change your name instead

D E

What you lose when it all goes to your head?

[Verse]

A G D C D

I heard something peculiar said

D C G

"Perhaps he's got a shot and now he's dead"

A G A

Forty five

A G D C D

Bells are chiming and tears are falling

D C G

It creeps up on you without a warning

A G A

Forty five

A G D C D

Every scratch, every click, every heartbeat

D C G

Every breath that I bless I'd be lost, I confess

[Outtro]

A G A G A G A G

Forty five, forty-five,

A G A G A G A G

Forty five, forty-five, yeah

A G A G

Ooo ooo ooo ooo oo-oo ooo ooo

A G A G

Ooo ooo ooo ooo oo-oo ooo ooo

A G A G

Ooo ooo ooo ooo oo-oo ooo ooo

About 45 Chords by Elvis Costello

Learn how to play 45 by Elvis Costello with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “45 chords”, “45 guitar chords”, or “Elvis Costello 45 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 45 chords and for experienced players who want accurate 45 lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, G, D, C, E, D/A.

FAQ — 45 by Elvis Costello

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Is "45" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "45" in?

The chords for "45" show the original chord names (including A, G, D, C, E, D/A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.