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Outside Looking In

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#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
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[Actually in A; capo 2.]
  F/A   F/A   Am  Am.  It might in fact be  Am   Am   F/A  F/A.  Frankly, it
 sounds okay either way.  See which sounds best for you.]
G[inFtroAm]Am  G  F  Am  Am  
EveryGwhere I see the D/F#signs, C/Epointing one direcCtion
No more Gtwists or crooked D/F#turns, C/Eleaving room for dCoubt
Where I Gused to take the D/F#time for C/Equiet and reflecCtion
Now I Gonly hear the D/F#noise of C/Ewhat I am withCout
                           G             G  C(9)/             G  C(9)/G  
I see them walking hand in hand, and my eyes just want to linger
                        G       G  C(9)/                G  C(9)/G  
On those golden wedding bands, wrapped around their fingers
By the F/Atime I turn aF/Away, I Amfeel it once agAmain
I'm back in thGis familiar placeD/F#, outsiAm7de looking inC  
G[inD/F#strumeAm7ntal]C  
Baby, all the tears between us couldn't fill the spaces
And all the word we grasped at, they just fell away
I kept waiting on forgiveness to fix the broken places
But nothing even like it ever came my way
And tonight I drove around, and the street came up before me
I took a turn and then I found this old house coming toward me
I heard the sound a heart must make when a memory's caving in
Oh baby, what a hungry place, outside looking in
G[inFstrAmumenAmtal]G  F  Am  Am  
                        G           G  C(9)/          G  C(9)/G  
It's the hardest kind of need that never knows a reason
                    G                G  C(9)/             G  C(9)/G  
Are we such a lonely breed, or just born in a lonely season
Baby, F/Ait's all in the eyF/Aes, it's where the Amreckoning begAmins
It's where we F/Alinger like a sF/Aigh, it's where we Amlong to be pulled Amin
                            F/A          F/A             Am  Am(?)
It's where we learn to say goodbye without saying anything
Standing oGn the borderline, D/F#outside loAm7oking inC  
G[inD/F#strumeAm7ntal; CrepeGat D/F#and faAm7de]C  

All chords in this song (10)

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Outside Looking In

by Mary Chapin Carpenter

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

F/A

D/F#

C/E

C(9)

Am7

#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#

#------------------------------------------------------------------------------#

------------------------------------------

[Actually in A; capo 2.]

F/A F/A Am Am Am Am F/A F A

. It might in fact be /. Frankly, it

sounds okay either way. See which sounds best for you.]

G F Am Am G F Am Am

[intro]

G D/F# C/E C

Everywhere I see the signs, pointing one direction

G D/F# C/E C

No more twists or crooked turns, leaving room for doubt

G D/F# C/E C

Where I used to take the time for quiet and reflection

G D/F# C/E C

Now I only hear the noise of what I am without

G G C(9) G C G

/ (9)/

I see them walking hand in hand, and my eyes just want to linger

G G C(9) G C G

/ (9)/

On those golden wedding bands, wrapped around their fingers

F/A F/A Am Am

By the time I turn away, I feel it once again

G D/F# Am7 C

I'm back in this familiar place, outside looking in

G D/F# Am7 C

[instrumental]

Baby, all the tears between us couldn't fill the spaces

And all the word we grasped at, they just fell away

I kept waiting on forgiveness to fix the broken places

But nothing even like it ever came my way

And tonight I drove around, and the street came up before me

I took a turn and then I found this old house coming toward me

I heard the sound a heart must make when a memory's caving in

Oh baby, what a hungry place, outside looking in

G F Am Am G F Am Am

[instrumental]

G G C(9) G C G

/ (9)/

It's the hardest kind of need that never knows a reason

G G C(9) G C G

/ (9)/

Are we such a lonely breed, or just born in a lonely season

F/A F/A Am Am

Baby, it's all in the eyes, it's where the reckoning begins

F/A F/A Am Am

It's where we linger like a sigh, it's where we long to be pulled in

F/A F/A Am Am

(?)

It's where we learn to say goodbye without saying anything

G D/F# Am7 C

Standing on the borderline, outside looking in

G D/F# Am7 C G D/F# Am7 C

[instrumental; repeat and fade]

About Outside Looking In Chords by Mary Chapin Carpenter

Learn how to play Outside Looking In by Mary Chapin Carpenter with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Outside Looking In chords”, “Outside Looking In guitar chords”, or “Mary Chapin Carpenter Outside Looking In 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 Outside Looking In chords and for experienced players who want accurate Outside Looking In lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, F/A, Am, F, G, D/F#.

FAQ — Outside Looking In by Mary Chapin Carpenter

How do I play "Outside Looking In" by Mary Chapin Carpenter on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Outside Looking In" by Mary Chapin Carpenter free?

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Can I transpose "Outside Looking In" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Outside Looking In"?

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

Is "Outside Looking In" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Outside Looking In" by Mary Chapin Carpenter with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Mary Chapin Carpenter below.

What key is "Outside Looking In" in?

The chords for "Outside Looking In" show the original chord names (including A, F/A, Am, F, G, D/F#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.