Now playing

Paper Thin

Chords

4.517 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Emajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro/Riff 1]
 A   B   B   A   B   B   A   B   A   B   B   AN.C.  x4
[Verse 1]
I was AgoBnnBa AgeBt Bup AoBffAa BthBat Abarstool   Gjust as sAoon as I could figure it out.
 A   B   B   A   B   B   A   B   A   B   B   AN.C.  x2
While AI BwaBs AovBerBloAokBed AaBt BthAe carpool   GI stood up at the Adance and sang
         A   B   B   A   B   B   A   B   A   B   B   AN.C.
Twist and Shout.
[Pre-chorus 1]
  G     G    AYou're burning with your last desiGreG  
  Aand every memory haunts you.
  G     G    AYou write it down in alcohol GfiDre
cause that's the only thing that F#wants you.
[Chorus]
BWhen yAou're papeBr thin, go Eon read all about it when Dyou were out of luck
and luck waAs doing alright. BYou're Apaper thBin, yeah you can seEe right through
you, you just Dcut your little finger on the F#edge of a knife.
[Riff 1]
 A   B   B   A   B   B   A   B   A   B   B   AN.C.  x2
[Verse 2]
Now do AI BreBalAly BhBavAe Bto AbBe BreAsponsible   Gfor what I diAd between those tavern walls.
 A   B   B   A   B   B   A   B   A   B   B   AN.C.  x2
I was AjuBst BmAixBinBg Aup BsAomBe BchAemicals   Gyou coulda heard a Apin drop,
                       A   B   B   A   B   B   A   B   A   B   B   AN.C.
you coulda heard a town crawl.
[Pre-chorus 2]
And every once in a while you could hear your own heart pound and even some paper doll 
with a painted on smile will let you write her number down.
(Chorus x2)
[Riff 2]
 A   B   B   A   B   B   A   B   A   E   E       Dx4
[Outro]
 A   B   B   A   B   B   A   B   A   E   E       Dx7
(Repeat Riff 2 with lead guitar and "Paper thin!", fade out)

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Paper Thin

by John Hiatt

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro/Riff 1]

A B B A B B A B A B B A

N.C. x4

[Verse 1]

A B B A B B A B A B B A G A

I was gonna get up offa that barstool just as soon as I could figure it out.

A B B A B B A B A B B A

N.C. x2

A B B A B B A B A B B A G A

While I was overlooked at the carpool I stood up at the dance and sang

A B B A B B A B A B B A

N.C.

Twist and Shout.

[Pre-chorus 1]

G G A G G

You're burning with your last desire

and every memory haunts you.

G G A G D

You write it down in alcohol fire

cause that's the only thing that wants you.

[Chorus]

B A B E D

When you're paper thin, go on read all about it when you were out of luck

A B A B E

and luck was doing alright. You're paper thin, yeah you can see right through

D F#

you, you just cut your little finger on the edge of a knife.

[Riff 1]

A B B A B B A B A B B A

N.C. x2

[Verse 2]

A B B A B B A B A B B A G A

Now do I really have to be responsible for what I did between those tavern walls.

A B B A B B A B A B B A

N.C. x2

A B B A B B A B A B B A G A

I was just mixing up some chemicals you coulda heard a pin drop,

A B B A B B A B A B B A

N.C.

you coulda heard a town crawl.

[Pre-chorus 2]

And every once in a while you could hear your own heart pound and even some paper doll

with a painted on smile will let you write her number down.

(Chorus x2)

[Riff 2]

A B B A B B A B A E E D

[Outro]

A B B A B B A B A E E D

(Repeat Riff 2 with lead guitar and "Paper thin!", fade out)

About Paper Thin Chords by John Hiatt

Learn how to play Paper Thin by John Hiatt with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Paper Thin chords”, “Paper Thin guitar chords”, or “John Hiatt Paper Thin 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 Thin chords and for experienced players who want accurate Paper Thin lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, B, C, G, D, F#.

FAQ — Paper Thin by John Hiatt

How do I play "Paper Thin" by John Hiatt on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Paper Thin" by John Hiatt 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 "Paper Thin" by John Hiatt free?

Yes. The chords for "Paper Thin" by John Hiatt are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Paper Thin" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Paper Thin"?

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

Is "Paper Thin" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Paper Thin" in?

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