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Elbows

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Capo 5th fret ( chords relative to capo )
G  C  G  Em  Em
On a warm nGight CiGn March on a dark disco floor
I dancEmed up a storm like I’d never before
Every step iCn thDe booGk and then some that weren’t listed
AmFor a soEmng or Dtwo I felt nothing else existed
GNow if Ca drGeam curled at your feet you’d take it home and name it
I’m struggEmling now to find something to blame it on
CStrobing DeffecGts or perhaps it was that dress
AmBut my Emeye Dwas captured by a beautiful actress
NoGw tChe Gminutiae’s still my memory writ large
EmAs she danced nearer me with her coy entourage
CShe DtuggGed at the scarf round her neck it came loose
AmShe flung Cit anGd hGung it from the disc jockey’s booth
But beCforDe I EmcontinuCe one moments reprieve
CI granGt you dear audience a chance to leave
FCor my Dtale never Emends Cin that it never started
CWhen tDhe house lights came on I’d already departed
GNo not one word CwGas spoken nor a glance exchanged 
WEmhen the sun rose next morning the world hadn’t changed
SCee Dwe onlGy touched elbows is the plain naked truth
AmAnd I can’t Ceven back Gup my Gstory with proof
GmWe only CtouGched elbows, felt our bones clunk together
EmThen the moment was over in a falling feather
CAn accidDent Gsure but it happened I’ll wrangle
AmOur elbows did touch Emour arms Emat rEmight Dangles
NoGw thCerGe’s naught the nosey observer could’ve guessed
BEmut the rock and roll drummer inside of my chest
CEverDyone’s seen her filGms and I’ll whisper her name
TAmhat wCe only Gtouched elbows is not such a shame
For the wCorlDd’s EmgettCing crowded and I can’t see a lapse
CIt’s noGt about leaving spaces but filling the gaps
We’re Call bumpiDng and EmknocCking strangers all the time
CSometimes Dwe don’t notice, mostly we don’t mind
GA foot brusCheGs your ankle on a peak hour bus
Someone’s Emhand on the small of your back as they pass
CA shopkDeepers Gfingers while handing you change
CAman lightly brEmush yours withoDut feeling too strange 
But wGhy I CfGelt so alive I can’t quite determine
EmThere could be a word to explain it in German
Some tCake DothGers home waking up to regret it
AmWe only Emtouched elbows and I’ll never forget it
D   G   C        G
C    G   Em    Em
C    D    G
Am   Am    Em     D
G   C  G   Em  Em
C   D  G   Am
Em  Em
NGow the CinnGocent DJ still spins his black moons
EmAnd keepEms us all moving with his faithful tunes
CAnd the lDightGs nod in synch, they’re mechanically powered
AmWe only touCched elboGws and I still haven’t 

All chords in this song (6)

Open

32OOO3

Major chord - Happy, bright sound

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G major

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Elbows

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Elbows

by Darren Hanlon

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 5 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Capo 5th fret ( chords relative to capo )

G C G Em Em

G C G

On a warm night in March on a dark disco floor

I danced up a storm like I’d never before

C D G

Every step in the book and then some that weren’t listed

Am Em D

For a song or two I felt nothing else existed

G C G

Now if a dream curled at your feet you’d take it home and name it

I’m struggling now to find something to blame it on

C D G

Strobing effects or perhaps it was that dress

Am Em D

But my eye was captured by a beautiful actress

G C G

Now the minutiae’s still my memory writ large

As she danced nearer me with her coy entourage

C D G

She tugged at the scarf round her neck it came loose

Am C G G

She flung it and hung it from the disc jockey’s booth

C D Em C

But before I continue one moments reprieve

C G

I grant you dear audience a chance to leave

C D Em C

For my tale never ends in that it never started

C D

When the house lights came on I’d already departed

G C G

No not one word was spoken nor a glance exchanged

When the sun rose next morning the world hadn’t changed

C D G

See we only touched elbows is the plain naked truth

Am C G G

And I can’t even back up my story with proof

Gm C G

We only touched elbows, felt our bones clunk together

Then the moment was over in a falling feather

C D G

An accident sure but it happened I’ll wrangle

Am Em Em Em D

Our elbows did touch our arms at right angles

G C G

Now there’s naught the nosey observer could’ve guessed

But the rock and roll drummer inside of my chest

C D G

Everyone’s seen her films and I’ll whisper her name

Am C G

That we only touched elbows is not such a shame

C D Em C

For the world’s getting crowded and I can’t see a lapse

C G

It’s not about leaving spaces but filling the gaps

C D Em C

We’re all bumping and knocking strangers all the time

C D

Sometimes we don’t notice, mostly we don’t mind

G C G

A foot brushes your ankle on a peak hour bus

Someone’s hand on the small of your back as they pass

C D G

A shopkeepers fingers while handing you change

Am Em D

Can lightly brush yours without feeling too strange

G C G

But why I felt so alive I can’t quite determine

There could be a word to explain it in German

C D G

Some take others home waking up to regret it

Am Em

We only touched elbows and I’ll never forget it

D G C G

C G Em Em

C D G

Am Am Em D

G C G Em Em

C D G Am

Em Em

G C G

Now the innocent DJ still spins his black moons

Em Em

And keeps us all moving with his faithful tunes

C D G

And the lights nod in synch, they’re mechanically powered

Am C G

We only touched elbows and I still haven’t

About Elbows Chords by Darren Hanlon

Learn how to play Elbows by Darren Hanlon with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Elbows chords”, “Elbows guitar chords”, or “Darren Hanlon Elbows 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 Elbows chords and for experienced players who want accurate Elbows lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, Em, D, Am, Gm.

FAQ — Elbows by Darren Hanlon

How do I play "Elbows" by Darren Hanlon on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Elbows" by Darren Hanlon 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 "Elbows" by Darren Hanlon free?

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Can I transpose "Elbows" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Elbows"?

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

Is "Elbows" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Elbows" by Darren Hanlon with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Darren Hanlon below.

What key is "Elbows" in?

The chords for "Elbows" show the original chord names (including G, C, Em, D, Am, Gm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.