Now playing

The Pretender

Chords

4.716 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Amajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/9

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 9Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

D:       xx0232
D7:      xx0212
A:       x02220
Dm:      x0323x
F#m:     244222
E:       022100
E7:      020100
F#m9/E#: xx3224
C#m:     x4665x
C#m7:    7x645x
F#7:     242322
Bm:      x24432
Bm7/A:   x04232
Asus2:   x02200
[Intro]
DI recaD7ll the momentA,
though I F#mcan't reAcall the Eday.E7  
EverF#my other F#m9/E#song was tD7here
on Aparade
[Main Riff]
e|--A----------Dm------------|
B|------2----2-3-2--------|
G|--------2---------------|
D|----2------------3-2----|
A|--0---------------------|
E|------------------------|
[Verse]
AWords become,
But a C#mlifetime of C#m7words will be forF#7gotten and burned
        D7                       (main riff)
by the time you read this letter.
ASins become
Oh, but the C#msins of your C#m7past will be F#7forgotten and gone
       D7                          (main riff)
By the time you reach the pretender
Oh, C#mlibraries of C#7guilt will be F#7razed and  burned
       D7                          (main riff)
By the time you reach the pretender
[Chorus]
EIf I'm not there to remiAnd ourselves,
F#7I'll send a friend with a pBmlan.Bm7/A  
DI only want you to be happieAr,
DI only need you to let C#mgo,  oEh oh, ah Asus2ahh...
AWords become
ah but C#mlifetime of C#m7words will be F#7forgotten and burned
       D7                        (main riff)
By the time you read this letter
All the C#msins of your C#m7past will be F#7forgotten and gone
       D7                          (main riff)
By the time you reach the pretender
[Chorus]
EThe coffee's gone and the Arooster's lunch
F#7I only call if I get BmworriedBm7/A  
DI only want you to be happieAr,
DI only need you to let C#mgo,  oEh oh, ah Asusahh...
Main riff
A Dm
[Outro]
DWe don't D7need the Ashelter
And we F#mbarely Afear the ErainE7  
We've been soF#maked toF#m9/E#o long to cD7are
Or Acomplain
DWe don't D7need the Amoney
And we F#mbarely Aneed our EnamesE7  
I won't F#mcall the F#m9/E#cops for D7comfort
right now I call a Afriend

All chords in this song (16)

🎸 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

The Pretender

by Dr. Dog

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

F#m9/E#

C#m

C#m7

F#7

C#7

Bm7/A

Asus2

Asus

D: xx0232

D7: xx0212

A: x02220

Dm: x0323x

F#m: 244222

E: 022100

E7: 020100

F#m9/E#: xx3224

C#m: x4665x

C#m7: 7x645x

F#7: 242322

Bm: x24432

Bm7/A: x04232

Asus2: x02200

[Intro]

D D7 A

I recall the moment,

F#m A E E7

though I can't recall the day.

F#m F#m9/E# D7

Every other song was there

on parade

[Main Riff]

A Dm

e|------------------------|

B|------2----2-3-2--------|

G|--------2---------------|

D|----2------------3-2----|

A|--0---------------------|

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

[Verse]

Words become,

C#m C#m7 F#7

But a lifetime of words will be forgotten and burned

D7 (main riff)

by the time you read this letter.

Sins become

C#m C#m7 F#7

Oh, but the sins of your past will be forgotten and gone

D7 (main riff)

By the time you reach the pretender

C#m C#7 F#7

Oh, libraries of guilt will be razed and burned

D7 (main riff)

By the time you reach the pretender

[Chorus]

E A

If I'm not there to remind ourselves,

F#7 Bm Bm7/A

I'll send a friend with a plan.

D A

I only want you to be happier,

D C#m E Asus2

I only need you to let go, oh oh, ah ahh...

Words become

C#m C#m7 F#7

ah but lifetime of words will be forgotten and burned

D7 (main riff)

By the time you read this letter

C#m C#m7 F#7

All the sins of your past will be forgotten and gone

D7 (main riff)

By the time you reach the pretender

[Chorus]

E A

The coffee's gone and the rooster's lunch

F#7 Bm Bm7/A

I only call if I get worried

D A

I only want you to be happier,

D C#m E Asus

I only need you to let go, oh oh, ah ahh...

Main riff

A Dm

[Outro]

D D7 A

We don't need the shelter

F#m A E E7

And we barely fear the rain

F#m F#m9/E# D7

We've been soaked too long to care

Or complain

D D7 A

We don't need the money

F#m A E E7

And we barely need our names

F#m F#m9/E# D7

I won't call the cops for comfort

right now I call a friend

About The Pretender Chords by Dr. Dog

Learn how to play The Pretender by Dr. Dog with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Pretender chords”, “The Pretender guitar chords”, or “Dr. Dog The Pretender 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 The Pretender chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Pretender lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, D7, A, Dm, F#m, E.

FAQ — The Pretender by Dr. Dog

How do I play "The Pretender" by Dr. Dog on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Pretender" by Dr. Dog 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 "The Pretender" by Dr. Dog free?

Yes. The chords for "The Pretender" by Dr. Dog are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Pretender" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Pretender"?

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

Is "The Pretender" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Pretender" by Dr. Dog with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Dr. Dog below.

What key is "The Pretender" in?

The chords for "The Pretender" show the original chord names (including D, D7, A, Dm, F#m, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.