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Cruel To Be Kind

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
  C    Em    F    G(x2)
[Verse 1]
Oh, CI can't take another Emheartache
Though you Fsay you're my friend, Dm7I'm at my Gwits end
CYou say your love is Embona fide, but that don't FcoinEmcide
DmWith the things that you Fdo, and when I Emask you, to be Fnice - you Gsay
[Chorus]
You gotta be Fcruel to be Gkind Emin the right Ammeasure
FCruel to be Gkind, it's a Emvery good Amsign
FCruel to be Gkind, Emmeans that I Amlove you
Fmaj7/GBaby, you gotta be cruel to be kindC  Em  F  G  
[Verse 2]
Well, I Cdo my best to undeEmrstand you (it)
But you Fstill mystify, and Dm7I wanna knGow why
CI pick myself up, Emoff the ground
To have you Fknock me Emback downDm, again and aFgain
And when I Emask you to exFplain - you Gsay
[Chorus]
You gotta be Fcruel to be Gkind Emin the right Ammeasure
FCruel to be Gkind, it's a Emvery good Amsign
FCruel to be Gkind, Emmeans that I Amlove you
Fmaj7/GBaby, you gotta be cruel to be kiCnd
Oo, oo, oo!  AOo, oo, A7oo!
[Instrumental]
  F    G    Em    Amx3
G     G     G
[Verse 3]
Well, I Cdo my best to undeEmrstand you (it)
But you Fstill mystify, and Dm7I wanna knGow why
CI pick myself up, Emoff the ground
To have you Fknock me Emback downDm, again and aFgain
And when I Emask you to exFplain - you Gsay
[Chorus]
You gotta be Fcruel to be Gkind Emin the right Ammeasure
FCruel to be Gkind, it's a Emvery good Amsign
FCruel to be Gkind, Emmeans that I Amlove you
Fmaj7/GBaby, you gotta be cruel, you gotta be cruel to be kind ...
(Repeat Chorus to fade)

All chords in this song (10)

The story behind the song

"Cruel To Be Kind" captures the frustration of a love where one person insists that their harshness is actually for the other's own good. It's about being told that "you gotta be cruel to be kind" when all you feel is heartache from their actions. This song, appearing on the album Little Hitler, became one of Nick Lowe's signature tracks, showcasing his knack for sharp, relatable pop. It plays like a wry observation on the peculiar justifications people make in relationships, even when it causes pain.

AI-written from these sources:Nick Lowe — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Cruel To Be Kind

Cruel To Be Kind

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Cruel To Be Kind

by Nick Lowe

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dm7

Fmaj7/G

[Intro]

C Em F G

(x2)

[Verse 1]

C Em

Oh, I can't take another heartache

F Dm7 G

Though you say you're my friend, I'm at my wits end

C Em F Em

You say your love is bona fide, but that don't coincide

Dm F Em F G

With the things that you do, and when I ask you, to be nice - you say

[Chorus]

F G Em Am

You gotta be cruel to be kind in the right measure

F G Em Am

Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign

F G Em Am

Cruel to be kind, means that I love you

Fmaj7/G C Em F G

Baby, you gotta be cruel to be kind

[Verse 2]

C Em

Well, I do my best to understand you (it)

F Dm7 G

But you still mystify, and I wanna know why

C Em

I pick myself up, off the ground

F Em Dm F

To have you knock me back down, again and again

Em F G

And when I ask you to explain - you say

[Chorus]

F G Em Am

You gotta be cruel to be kind in the right measure

F G Em Am

Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign

F G Em Am

Cruel to be kind, means that I love you

Fmaj7/G C

Baby, you gotta be cruel to be kind

A A7

Oo, oo, oo! Oo, oo, oo!

[Instrumental]

F G Em Am

G G G

[Verse 3]

C Em

Well, I do my best to understand you (it)

F Dm7 G

But you still mystify, and I wanna know why

C Em

I pick myself up, off the ground

F Em Dm F

To have you knock me back down, again and again

Em F G

And when I ask you to explain - you say

[Chorus]

F G Em Am

You gotta be cruel to be kind in the right measure

F G Em Am

Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign

F G Em Am

Cruel to be kind, means that I love you

Fmaj7/G

Baby, you gotta be cruel, you gotta be cruel to be kind ...

(Repeat Chorus to fade)

About Cruel To Be Kind Chords by Nick Lowe

Learn how to play Cruel To Be Kind by Nick Lowe with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Cruel To Be Kind chords”, “Cruel To Be Kind guitar chords”, or “Nick Lowe Cruel To Be Kind 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 Cruel To Be Kind chords and for experienced players who want accurate Cruel To Be Kind lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Em, F, G, Dm7, Dm.

FAQ — Cruel To Be Kind by Nick Lowe

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What key is "Cruel To Be Kind" in?

The chords for "Cruel To Be Kind" show the original chord names (including C, Em, F, G, Dm7, Dm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.