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Running To Stand Still

Chords

4.81,508 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

D and G to start with some slide guitar and piano
[Verse 1]
  DSo she woke up, woke up from Gwhere she was, lyin' still
Said "DI, I gotta do somethin' about where weG're goin'"
  DStep on a steam train
  GStep out of the driving rain, maybe
  DRun from the darkness, in the Gnight
[Chorus]
Singing
AAh,
Ah-la-la-C/Gla-de-Gday
  AAh-la-la-C/Gla-de-Gday
Ah-la-Dla-de-dayG  
[Verse 2]
  DSweet the sin, bitter the Gtaste in my mouth
  DI see seven towers, but I only Gsee one way out
You gotta Dcry without weeping, talk without speaking,
Gscream without raising your voice
You know I took the Dpoison
From the poison stream, then I Gfloated, out of here
[Chorus 2]
Singing
A...
Ah-la-la-C/Gla-de-Gday
  AAh-la-la-C/Gla-de-Gday
Ah-la-Dla-de-day
[Interlude/Bridge]
DOooooooooooo,  Ooo Ooo GOoo  Oooooo
DOooooooooooo,  Ooo Ooo GOoo  Oooooo
[Verse 3]
  DShe runs through the streets with eyes painted red
  GUnder a black belly of cloud in the rain
  DIn through a doorway, she brings me
Gwhite gold and pearls stolen from the sea
She is rDaging, she is raging and a stoGrm blows up in her eyes
[Ending Chorus]
She will,
  Asuffer the nC/Geedle Gchill,
  AShe's running to C/GstandG,   Dstill.
(Harmonica Riff played over D and G chord progression to end song)
C/G  3 3 5 5 5 x

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

This slow ballad from U2's 1987 album The Joshua Tree paints a poignant picture of a heroin-addicted couple living in Dublin's Ballymun flats during the 1980s heroin epidemic. The song's title, "Running to Stand Still," encapsulates the futility and struggle of addiction, a phrase Bono heard from his brother describing a struggling business. While the lyrics don't explicitly detail their struggles, they evoke the emotional atmosphere of their lives, showing sympathy for the woman and the difficult choices people make in dire circumstances. It's a song that speaks to the desperation of being trapped and the yearning for escape.

AI-written from these sources:Running to Stand Still — Wikipedia ↗U2 — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Running To Stand Still

by U2

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/G

D and G to start with some slide guitar and piano

[Verse 1]

D G

So she woke up, woke up from where she was, lyin' still

D G

Said "I, I gotta do somethin' about where we're goin'"

Step on a steam train

Step out of the driving rain, maybe

D G

Run from the darkness, in the night

[Chorus]

Singing

Ah,

C/G G

Ah-la-la-la-de-day

A C/G G

Ah-la-la-la-de-day

D G

Ah-la-la-de-day

[Verse 2]

D G

Sweet the sin, bitter the taste in my mouth

D G

I see seven towers, but I only see one way out

You gotta cry without weeping, talk without speaking,

scream without raising your voice

You know I took the poison

From the poison stream, then I floated, out of here

[Chorus 2]

Singing

...

C/G G

Ah-la-la-la-de-day

A C/G G

Ah-la-la-la-de-day

Ah-la-la-de-day

[Interlude/Bridge]

D G

Oooooooooooo, Ooo Ooo Ooo Oooooo

D G

Oooooooooooo, Ooo Ooo Ooo Oooooo

[Verse 3]

She runs through the streets with eyes painted red

Under a black belly of cloud in the rain

In through a doorway, she brings me

white gold and pearls stolen from the sea

D G

She is raging, she is raging and a storm blows up in her eyes

[Ending Chorus]

She will,

A C/G G

suffer the needle chill,

A C/G G D

She's running to stand, still.

(Harmonica Riff played over D and G chord progression to end song)

C/G 3 3 5 5 5 x

About Running To Stand Still Chords by U2

Learn how to play Running To Stand Still by U2 with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Running To Stand Still chords”, “Running To Stand Still guitar chords”, or “U2 Running To Stand Still 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 Running To Stand Still chords and for experienced players who want accurate Running To Stand Still lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A, C/G.

FAQ — Running To Stand Still by U2

How do I play "Running To Stand Still" by U2 on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Running To Stand Still" by U2 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 "Running To Stand Still" by U2 free?

Yes. The chords for "Running To Stand Still" by U2 are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Running To Stand Still" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Running To Stand Still"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Running To Stand Still" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Running To Stand Still" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Running To Stand Still" by U2 with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by U2 below.

What key is "Running To Stand Still" in?

The chords for "Running To Stand Still" show the original chord names (including D, G, A, C/G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.