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Paper

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Fmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
G
F G
F G
F G
F G
F G
F G
F G
[Verse 1]
  D  DHold the pDapeCrC  C  
 Dup Dto the lightD,C  C  C  
  Amsome rays pass right Fthrough
  DExDpose yourDselfC  C  C  
 Dup Dthere for a Dminute,C  C  C  
  Amsome rays pass right Fthrough
[Bridge]
   Bb  CTake a Clittle CrestBb  Bb  
Bbwhen the Crays pass CthroughC  Bb  Bb  
BbTake a Clittle time CoffC  Bb  Bb  
Bbwhen the Crays pass CthroughC  Bb  Bb  
BbGo ahead and Cmix it upC  C  Bb  Bb  
BbGo ahead, Ctie it upC  C  Bb  Bb  
BbLong CdistanceC  C  
  BbtelBbephBbone CcallC  C  Bb  Bb  
[Refrain]
GHold on to that paper
G7Hold on to that paper
DHold on 'cause it's been taken care of
GHold on to that paper
[Chorus]
See if you can Gfit it Fon the Gpaper
FSee if you can Ggit it Fon the Gpaper
FSee if you can Gfit it Fon the Gpaper
FSee if you can Gget it Fon the Gpaper
[Verse 2]
 DHad a Dlove affairD  C  C  C  
but Dit was Donly DpaperC  C  C  
  AmSome rays they pass right Fthrough
 DHad a Dlot of Dfun,C  C  C  
 Dcould have Dbeen a lot DbetterC  C  C  
  AmSome rays they pass right Fthrough
[Bridge]
   Bb  CTake a Clittle consideCrationBb  Bb  
Bbtake Cevery CcombiCnationBb  Bb  
BbTake a Cfew weeks CoffC  Bb  Bb  
Bbmake it CtighterC, CtighterBb  Bb  
    Bb  CEven Cthough it was CneverBb  Bb  
Bbwas Cnever Cwritten CdownBb  Bb  
   Bb  CStill Cmight be a Cchance Bbthat Bbit
   Bb  Cmight Cwork Cout
[Refrain]
GHold on to that paper
G7Hold on to that paper
DHold on 'cause it's been taken D7care of
GHold on to that paper
[Chorus]
Don't think I can Gfit it Fon the Gpaper
FDon't think I can Gget it Fon the Gpaper
FGo ahead and rip uGp, rip Fup the Gpaper
FGo ahead and tear Gup, teaFr up thGe paper
[Outro]
F G

All chords in this song (8)

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Paper

by Talking Heads

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

F G

[Verse 1]

D D D C C C

Hold the paper

D D D C C C

up to the light,

Am F

some rays pass right through

D D D C C C

Expose yourself

D D D C C C

up there for a minute,

Am F

some rays pass right through

[Bridge]

Bb C C C Bb Bb

Take a little rest

Bb C C C Bb Bb

when the rays pass through

Bb C C C Bb Bb

Take a little time off

Bb C C C Bb Bb

when the rays pass through

Bb C C C Bb Bb

Go ahead and mix it up

Bb C C C Bb Bb

Go ahead, tie it up

Bb C C C

Long distance

Bb Bb Bb C C C Bb Bb

telephone call

[Refrain]

Hold on to that paper

Hold on 'cause it's been taken care of

Hold on to that paper

[Chorus]

G F G

See if you can fit it on the paper

F G F G

See if you can git it on the paper

F G F G

See if you can fit it on the paper

F G F G

See if you can get it on the paper

[Verse 2]

D D D C C C

Had a love affair

D D D C C C

but it was only paper

Am F

Some rays they pass right through

D D D C C C

Had a lot of fun,

D D D C C C

could have been a lot better

Am F

Some rays they pass right through

[Bridge]

Bb C C C Bb Bb

Take a little consideration

Bb C C C Bb Bb

take every combination

Bb C C C Bb Bb

Take a few weeks off

Bb C C C Bb Bb

make it tighter, tighter

Bb C C C Bb Bb

Even though it was never

Bb C C C Bb Bb

was never written down

Bb C C C Bb Bb

Still might be a chance that it

Bb C C C

might work out

[Refrain]

Hold on to that paper

D D7

Hold on 'cause it's been taken care of

Hold on to that paper

[Chorus]

G F G

Don't think I can fit it on the paper

F G F G

Don't think I can get it on the paper

F G F G

Go ahead and rip up, rip up the paper

F G F G

Go ahead and tear up, tear up the paper

[Outro]

F G

About Paper Chords by Talking Heads

Learn how to play Paper by Talking Heads with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Paper chords”, “Paper guitar chords”, or “Talking Heads Paper 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 Paper chords and for experienced players who want accurate Paper lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, F, D, C, Am, Bb.

FAQ — Paper by Talking Heads

How do I play "Paper" by Talking Heads on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Paper" by Talking Heads free?

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Can I transpose "Paper" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Paper"?

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

Is "Paper" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Paper" in?

The chords for "Paper" show the original chord names (including G, F, D, C, Am, Bb). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.