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How Soon Is Now

Chords

4.9482 votes

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Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/19

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 19Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Chords (in standard tuning, BTW):
  [Verse  Chorus]
e| F#2  A-  B-  D-  A5  C#m4  E0 |
B| 2  2  4  7  5  5  0 |
G| 3  2  4  7  6  6  1 |
D| 4  2  4  7  7  6  2 |
A| 4  0  2  5  7  4  2 |
E| 2  -  -  -  5  -  0 |
The opening "riff" is just the F# chord (2nd fret position) with loads of
reverb, another way to get that "wavy" feeling from just playing the one
chord is to position your hand to play the F# as I've shown you above,
except hammer on the first-finger barre on the 2nd fret to begin the riff
(^ = downstroke, v = upstroke):
   F#  ^ v ^ ^ ^ ^ ^   do this twice; the second time the lead guitarist
e|-----2-2-2-2-2-2-2-| (on tour, Johnny) plays:
B|-----2-2-2-2-2-2-2-| (4/5\4) just before the rhythm guitarist
G|-3---3-3-3-3-3-4-3-| (on tour, Craig Gannon) plays the next chords
D|-4---4-4-4-4-2-2-2-|
A|-4---4-4-4-4-4-4-4-|
E|-0(h)2-2-2-2-2-2-2-|
[Intro]
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
[Verse 1]
I am the F#son and the heir
Of a Ashyness that is Bcriminally F#vulgar
I am the son and F#heir
Of nothing in particularA  B  
[Chorus]
 DYou shut your Amouth, how cEan you sC#may
I Ego about things the F#wrong way ?
I am BHuman and I nDeed to be lAovedE  
C#mJust like eEverybody else F#does
[Interlude]
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
[Verse 2]
I am the F#son and the heir
Of a Ashyness that is Bcriminally F#vulgar
I am the son and F#heir
Oh, of nothing in particularA  B  
[Chorus]
 DYou shut your Amouth, how cEan you sC#may
I Ego about things the F#wrong way ?
I am BHuman and I nDeed to be lAovedE  
C#mJust like eEverybody else F#does
[Interlude]
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
[Bridge]
There's a clDub if you'd like to gAoE  
You could meet C#msomebody who rEeally loveF#s you
So you Bgo, and you stand on your Down
 AAnd you leave on your Eown
And you C#mgo home, and you Ecry
And you want to dF#ie
[Interlude]
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
[Bridge]
When you say Dit's gonna happen "nAow"E  
 C#mWell, when exEactly do you meaF#n?
See I've Balready wDaited too lAongE  
  C#mAnd Eall my hope F#is gone
[Solo]
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
B D A E C#m E F#
B D A E C#m E F#
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
[Chorus]
 DYou shut your Amouth, how cEan you sC#may
I Ego about things the F#wrong way ?
I am BHuman and I nDeed to be lAovedE  
C#mJust like eEverybody else F#does
[Outro]
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
F# F# F# A B
(Fade out)

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

This song explores the profound loneliness and social anxiety of someone longing for connection but struggling to express themselves. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who feels isolated, yearning for love and acceptance, but whose shyness and fear of rejection prevent them from reaching out. Originally a B-side, the song was written by Johnny Marr and Morrissey, with Marr aiming to build the track around a single chord. It captures the universal ache of wanting to belong and be seen, but feeling trapped by one's own introversion.

AI-written from these sources:How Soon Is Now? — Wikipedia ↗The Smiths — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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How Soon Is Now

by The Smiths

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

Chords (in standard tuning, BTW):

[Verse Chorus]

F# A B D A C#m E

e| 2 - - - 5 4 0 |

B| 2 2 4 7 5 5 0 |

G| 3 2 4 7 6 6 1 |

D| 4 2 4 7 7 6 2 |

A| 4 0 2 5 7 4 2 |

E| 2 - - - 5 - 0 |

The opening "riff" is just the F# chord (2nd fret position) with loads of

reverb, another way to get that "wavy" feeling from just playing the one

chord is to position your hand to play the F# as I've shown you above,

except hammer on the first-finger barre on the 2nd fret to begin the riff

(^ = downstroke, v = upstroke):

F# ^ v ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ do this twice; the second time the lead guitarist

e|-----2-2-2-2-2-2-2-| (on tour, Johnny) plays:

B|-----2-2-2-2-2-2-2-| (4/5\4) just before the rhythm guitarist

G|-3---3-3-3-3-3-4-3-| (on tour, Craig Gannon) plays the next chords

D|-4---4-4-4-4-2-2-2-|

A|-4---4-4-4-4-4-4-4-|

E|-0(h)2-2-2-2-2-2-2-|

[Intro]

F# F# F# A B

[Verse 1]

I am the son and the heir

A B F#

Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar

I am the son and heir

A B

Of nothing in particular

[Chorus]

D A E C#m

You shut your mouth, how can you say

E F#

I go about things the wrong way ?

B D A E

I am Human and I need to be loved

C#m E F#

Just like everybody else does

[Interlude]

F# F# F# A B

[Verse 2]

I am the son and the heir

A B F#

Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar

I am the son and heir

A B

Oh, of nothing in particular

[Chorus]

D A E C#m

You shut your mouth, how can you say

E F#

I go about things the wrong way ?

B D A E

I am Human and I need to be loved

C#m E F#

Just like everybody else does

[Interlude]

F# F# F# A B

[Bridge]

D A E

There's a club if you'd like to go

C#m E F#

You could meet somebody who really loves you

B D

So you go, and you stand on your own

A E

And you leave on your own

C#m E

And you go home, and you cry

And you want to die

[Interlude]

F# F# F# A B

[Bridge]

D A E

When you say it's gonna happen "now"

C#m E F#

Well, when exactly do you mean?

B D A E

See I've already waited too long

C#m E F#

And all my hope is gone

[Solo]

F# F# F# A B

B D A E C#m E F#

F# F# F# A B

[Chorus]

D A E C#m

You shut your mouth, how can you say

E F#

I go about things the wrong way ?

B D A E

I am Human and I need to be loved

C#m E F#

Just like everybody else does

[Outro]

F# F# F# A B

(Fade out)

About How Soon Is Now Chords by The Smiths

Learn how to play How Soon Is Now by The Smiths with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “How Soon Is Now chords”, “How Soon Is Now guitar chords”, or “The Smiths How Soon Is Now 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 How Soon Is Now chords and for experienced players who want accurate How Soon Is Now lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F#, A, B, D, C#m, E.

FAQ — How Soon Is Now by The Smiths

How do I play "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths on guitar?

Open the free chords for "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths free?

Yes. The chords for "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "How Soon Is Now" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "How Soon Is Now"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "How Soon Is Now" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "How Soon Is Now" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Smiths below.

What key is "How Soon Is Now" in?

The chords for "How Soon Is Now" show the original chord names (including F#, A, B, D, C#m, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.