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Stories I Tell

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90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/40

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 40Position: 4

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Stories I Tell
(words and music by Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols, and Toad)
The basic structure for the verse is:
e|-C#m--------A------|-C#m--------A------|-C#m--------A-------|-C#m----------Aadd97---|
B|---4h5p4-------|---4h5p4----5--|---4h5p4--------|---4h5p4---5---|
G|------------6--|---------------|-------------6--|-----------6---|
D|---------------|---------------|-----------7----|-----------7---|
A|-4-------------|-4-------------|-4--------------|-4-------------|
E|---------5-----|---------5-----|---------5------|---------------|
I suggest that you fret the fourth fret with your pointer finger and let all
the other fingers do the stretching.  Also, make sure that you sustain that
A note on the low E string and play the rest with the other fingers.  For
example, when you play measure three, you should be barreing the fourth fret
with your pointer, hammer on and pull off that fifth fret on the B string
with your middle finger; then hit the fifth fret of the low E string (the A
note) with your middle finger; next hit the seventh fret of the D string with
your pinky and finally hit the sixth fret on the G string with your ring
finger.  I know it requires a lot of painful stretching, but you should get
used to it.  Anyway, here are the lyrics with everything else:
C#mDon't give me Aanswers or C#mI would reAfuseC#m  A  C#m  Aadd9  
C#mYes is a Aword for which C#mI have no AuseC#m  A  C#m  Aadd9  
C#mAnd I wasn't Alooking for C#mheaven or AhellC#m  A  C#m  Aadd9  
     F#m*       C#m*      G#m*    A*
Just someone to listen to stories I tell
C#m    A    C#m    A    C#m    A    C#m    Aadd9
C#mWhat is a Ablessing?  C#mWhat is a Adream?
C#mCaught between Aportraits and C#mnone's what it Aadd9seems
And C#mwhy is it Asome would exC#mpect there's a Achange
               C#m             A             C#m      Aadd9  F#m*
When I feel I'm a part of something I can't see
      C#m* G#m*  A*
And I feel the same
C#m    A    C#m    A    C#m    A    C#m    Aadd9
C#mDon't ask me Aquestions or C#mI will reAtreatC#m  A  C#m  Aadd9  
C#mFame is a Acancer and C#mego iAts seedC#m  A  C#m  Aadd9  
Now C#mI wasn't Alooking for C#mheaven or AhellC#m  A  C#m  Aadd9  
     F#m*       C#m*      G#m*     A*
Just someone to listen to stories I tell
Instrumental:
C#m    A    C#m    A    C#m    A    C#m    A
C#m    A    C#m    A    C#m    A    C#m    A
BDo you ever wonAder?
F#mDid you ever G#mcare to stories I Btell
Stories AI tellC#m  
   C#m     A   C#m    A      C#m      A      C#m    Aadd9STOP
Sto......ries  I...  tell.....
A bass interlude comes in which plays the standard C#m to A chord change,
for those interested, the bass is simply played:
G|-C#m------A------|------------------|C#m----C#m/B------A-------B----G#m---|
D|-------------|------------------|------------------------|
A|-4-4-4-----2-|-(repeat 7 times)-|-4---2----0------2------|
E|-------5-5---|------------------|----------------------4-|
C#mSubtle salAvation in C#mpoems and Apros
C#mHiding our Aheads in a C#mshadow of Ahome
C#mI wasn't lAooking for C#mwreaths or for bAells
Just C#msomeone to Alisten to C#mstories I Atell
       C#m       A     C#mA...
Stories I tell
Basically, the song plays the C#m to A chord progression until it ends.
The chords with the asteriks are played like this:
   F#m*   C#m*  G#m*   A*
e|--9---|--4--|--11--|--12--|
B|--10--|--5--|--12--|--14--|
G|--11--|--6--|--13--|--14--|
D|------|-----|------|------|
A|------|-----|------|------|
E|------|-----|------|------|

All chords in this song (7)

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Stories I Tell

by Toad the Wet Sprocket

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

Aadd9

F#m

G#m

C#m/B

Stories I Tell

(words and music by Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols, and Toad)

The basic structure for the verse is:

C#m A C#m A C#m A C#m Aadd9

e|---------------|---------------|----------------|-----------7---|

B|---4h5p4-------|---4h5p4----5--|---4h5p4--------|---4h5p4---5---|

G|------------6--|---------------|-------------6--|-----------6---|

D|---------------|---------------|-----------7----|-----------7---|

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

E|---------5-----|---------5-----|---------5------|---------------|

I suggest that you fret the fourth fret with your pointer finger and let all

the other fingers do the stretching. Also, make sure that you sustain that

A note on the low E string and play the rest with the other fingers. For

example, when you play measure three, you should be barreing the fourth fret

with your pointer, hammer on and pull off that fifth fret on the B string

with your middle finger; then hit the fifth fret of the low E string (the A

note) with your middle finger; next hit the seventh fret of the D string with

your pinky and finally hit the sixth fret on the G string with your ring

finger. I know it requires a lot of painful stretching, but you should get

used to it. Anyway, here are the lyrics with everything else:

C#m A C#m A C#m A C#m Aadd9

Don't give me answers or I would refuse

C#m A C#m A C#m A C#m Aadd9

Yes is a word for which I have no use

C#m A C#m A C#m A C#m Aadd9

And I wasn't looking for heaven or hell

F#m C#m G#m A

* * * *

Just someone to listen to stories I tell

C#m A C#m A C#m A C#m Aadd9

C#m A C#m A

What is a blessing? What is a dream?

C#m A C#m Aadd9

Caught between portraits and none's what it seems

C#m A C#m A

And why is it some would expect there's a change

C#m A C#m Aadd9 F#m

When I feel I'm a part of something I can't see

C#m G#m A

* * *

And I feel the same

C#m A C#m A C#m A C#m Aadd9

Don't ask me questions or I will retreat

C#m A C#m A C#m A C#m Aadd9

Fame is a cancer and ego its seed

C#m A C#m A C#m A C#m Aadd9

Now I wasn't looking for heaven or hell

F#m C#m G#m A

* * * *

Just someone to listen to stories I tell

Instrumental:

C#m A C#m A C#m A C#m A

B A

Do you ever wonder?

F#m G#m B

Did you ever care to stories I tell

A C#m

Stories I tell

C#m A C#m A C#m A C#m Aadd9

STOP

Sto......ries I... tell.....

A bass interlude comes in which plays the standard C#m to A chord change,

for those interested, the bass is simply played:

C#m A C#m C#m/B A B G#m

G|-------------|------------------|------------------------|

D|-------------|------------------|------------------------|

A|-4-4-4-----2-|-(repeat 7 times)-|-4---2----0------2------|

E|-------5-5---|------------------|----------------------4-|

C#m A C#m A

Subtle salvation in poems and pros

C#m A C#m A

Hiding our heads in a shadow of home

C#m A C#m A

I wasn't looking for wreaths or for bells

C#m A C#m A

Just someone to listen to stories I tell

C#m A C#m

A...

Stories I tell

Basically, the song plays the C#m to A chord progression until it ends.

The chords with the asteriks are played like this:

F#m C#m G#m A

* * * *

e|--9---|--4--|--11--|--12--|

B|--10--|--5--|--12--|--14--|

G|--11--|--6--|--13--|--14--|

D|------|-----|------|------|

A|------|-----|------|------|

E|------|-----|------|------|

About Stories I Tell Chords by Toad the Wet Sprocket

Learn how to play Stories I Tell by Toad the Wet Sprocket with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Stories I Tell chords”, “Stories I Tell guitar chords”, or “Toad the Wet Sprocket Stories I Tell 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 Stories I Tell chords and for experienced players who want accurate Stories I Tell lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C#m, A, Aadd9, B, G, D.

FAQ — Stories I Tell by Toad the Wet Sprocket

How do I play "Stories I Tell" by Toad the Wet Sprocket on guitar?

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

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

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Many players learn "Stories I Tell" by Toad the Wet Sprocket with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Toad the Wet Sprocket below.

What key is "Stories I Tell" in?

The chords for "Stories I Tell" show the original chord names (including C#m, A, Aadd9, B, G, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.