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Tell It Like It Is

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This is another great Tracy Chapman song. The following chords are for the acoustic
Chords used:
Em Asus C(add9) G
Cmaj7
E|-0-| E|-0-| E|-0-| E|-3-| E|-0-| E|-0-|
B|-0-| B|-3-| B|-3-| B|-0-|
B|-0-|
G|-0-| G|-2-| G|-0-| G|-0-|
G|-0-|
D|-2-| D|-2-| D|-2-| D|-0-|
D|-2-|
A|-2-| A|-0-| A|-3-| A|-2-|
A|-3-|
E|-0-| E|-x-| E|-X-| E|-3-|
E|-0-|
OK, so far so good, here are the chords:
INTRO:
| Guitar harmonics|: Em   Asus(x4):|
e|----12-12-12-12--|:--0.-0-0-0-0-0--0--0--0--:|
B|----12-12-12-12--|:--0.-0-0-0-0-3--3--3--3--:|
G|----12-12-12-12--|:--0.-0-0-0-0-2--2--2--2--:|
D|----12-12-12-12--|:--2.-2-2-2-2-2--2--2--2--:|
A|----12-12-12-12--|:--2.-2-2-2-2-0--0--0--0--:|
E|----12-12-12-12--|:--0.-0-0-0-0-x--x--x--x--:|
(The rythm for the "Em Asus" part keeps the same the whole song, however, if the chords
the rythm changes too. E.G. the C   G   A  
part)
VERSE 1:
EmSay it, say it, Asussay it!
Em   AsusTell it like it Emis!Asus  Em  Asus  
EmSay it, say it, Asussay it!
Em   AsusTell it like it Emis___!Asus  
Em   AsusWhat brakes your Emheart.Asus  
Em   AsusWhat keeps you a- C(add9)wake,
G  A5(add9) G  
awake at night.
Em Asus
Em   AsusWhat makes you want to C(add9)break___
G  A5(add9) G  
down and cry___.
Em   Asus   Em   AsusBut say you'll never
Cmaj7  A5(add9)
turn you back. Say you'll never harden to the world. Say you'll never
Cmaj7  A5(add9)
try to still the rythms in your breast. Say you'll never
Cmaj7  A5(add9)
look at the evil among us and try to forget. Say you'll tell it like it
Emis!Asus  Em  Asus  Em  Asus  Em  Asus  
Verse 2:
EmSay it, say it, Asussay it!
Em   AsusSo everyone can Emhear__!Asus  
Em Asus
EmSay it, say it, Asussay it!
Em   AsusTell it like it Emis___!Asus  
Em   AsusWhat brakes your Emheart_Asus_____.
Em   AsusWhat keeps you a- C(add9)wake,
G  A5(add9) G  
awake at night.
Em Asus
Em   AsusHow you anger and C(add9)grief___ Gmake you want to A5cry out___
Gand tell it like it
Emis___! Asus   Em   AsusBut say you'll never
Cmaj7  A5(add9)
close your eyes or pretend that it's a rosy world. Say you'll never try to
Cmaj7  A5(add9)
paint what it's rotten with a sugar coat. Say you talk about the
Cmaj7  A5(add9)
horrors you've seen and the torments you know. And tell it like it
Emis!Asus  Em  Asus  Em  Asus  Em  Asus  
INSTRUMENTAL SOLO: (The acoustic guitar plays:)
|: Em  Asus| Em  Asus|Em  
Asus| C(add9)  G|A5(add9) G|Em  
Asus:|
VERSE 3:
EmSay it, say it, Asussay it!
Em   AsusSo noone can for-Emget__!Asus  
Em Asus
EmSay it, say it, Asussay it!
Em   AsusTell it like it Emis___!Asus  
Em   AsusWhat brakes your Emheart.Asus  
Em   AsusWhat keeps you a- C(add9)wake,
G  A5(add9) G  
awake at night.
Em Asus
Em   AsusWhat makes you want to C(add9)break___
Gthe ties that A5silence and bind,
Gand tell it like it
Emis___! Asus   Em   AsusSay you'll never
Cmaj7  A5(add9)
cover your ears and close your mouth and live in a silent world. Say
Cmaj7  A5(add9)
you'll only run as far or as fast as you need to be secure. Say that then
Cmaj7  A5(add9)
you'll tell the truth when a lie cross your lips. And tell it like it
A5(add9)(let ring)
is, yeah yeah yeah...
EmINSTRUAsusMENTAL SEmOLO 2:Asus  Em  Asus  Em  Asus  
|: Em  Asus| Em  Asus|Em  
Asus:|
OUTRO:
EmSay it, say it, Asussay it!Em  Asus  
EmSay it, say it, Asussay it!Em  Asus  
EmSay it, say it, Asussay it!Em  Asus  
EmSay it, say it, Asussay it!Em  Asus  
Em (let ring)
All chords in this song (11)

The story behind the song

Tracy Chapman is a singer-songwriter known for her commercially successful and critically acclaimed albums. Her 1995 album, New Beginning, features this song. While the original was a soulful hit for Aaron Neville, Chapman's rendition brings her distinctive voice to the song's plea for honesty in a relationship. It speaks to the desire for direct communication, urging a partner to lay bare their true feelings rather than offering false hope. Playing this song channels a deep longing for emotional clarity and truth.

AI-written from these sources:Tell It Like It Is (song) — Wikipedia ↗Tracy Chapman — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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About Tell It Like It Is Chords by Tracy Chapman

Learn how to play Tell It Like It Is by Tracy Chapman with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Tell It Like It Is chords”, “Tell It Like It Is guitar chords”, or “Tracy Chapman Tell It Like It Is 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 Tell It Like It Is chords and for experienced players who want accurate Tell It Like It Is lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, Asus, C(add9), G, Cmaj7, E.

FAQ — Tell It Like It Is by Tracy Chapman

How do I play "Tell It Like It Is" by Tracy Chapman on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Tell It Like It Is" by Tracy Chapman 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 "Tell It Like It Is" by Tracy Chapman free?

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Can I transpose "Tell It Like It Is" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Tell It Like It Is"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Tell It Like It Is" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Tell It Like It Is" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Tell It Like It Is" by Tracy Chapman with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tracy Chapman below.

What key is "Tell It Like It Is" in?

The chords for "Tell It Like It Is" show the original chord names (including Em, Asus, C(add9), G, Cmaj7, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.