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Hard Way

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[Intro]
   E     D     A     Ax2
[Verse 1]
EBoys like you were Dborn to wasteA  
You never Elisten to a Dword I sayA  
And if you Ethink you're here to Dmess around you're Amaking a big mistake
'Cos you're Egonna find out the Dhard wayA  
You're Egonna find out the Dhard wayA  
[Verse 2]
ENo matter what I Ddo or sayA  
Eyou're much too dumb Dto educateA  
EOne day life's going to Dturn around and Aslap you in the face
Then Eyou're gonna find out tDhe hard way (yoAu can take the hard way)
EGonna take thDe hard wayA  
[Bridge]
Well, C#myou do it F#myour way and C#mI'll do it F#mmy way
We'll Esee who's the Done to surAvive
You'll find that C#mwith no founF#mdation or C#mqualifiF#mcations
There's Eno way that Dyou can get Aby
No, tGhere's no way yDou can get Eby
[Verse 3]
EWhy don't you take Dthe easy way?A  
EWhy don't you cDo-operate?A  
EDon't just sit there Dand vegetate,A  
EDo you want to end Dup illiterate?A  
[Solo]
   E     D     A     Ax4
[Bridge]
You think that C#mlife's a vacaF#mtion and you've C#mno inclinatF#mion
TEo dust away the cDobwebs of your mAind
Now it's timC#me for confrontaF#mtion and I'm C#mtired of being pF#matient
So I've gEot to be Dcruel to be kAind, yeah
I've gGot to be Dcruel to be kEind
[Verse 4]
EI'm wasting my vDocation teaching Ayou to write neat
EWhen you're only fit to sDweep the streetsA  
EYour intellect is sDuch that it requAires a curate's touch
SEo I'm going to plaDy it your wayA  
EYou can take the hDard wayA  
EGoing to take the Dhard wayA  
    E      D    AYou can take the hard way
    E      D    AGonna take the hard way
    E      D    AYou're gonna take the hard way
[Outro]
   E     D     A     Ax4
B   F#   D   A

All chords in this song (8)

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Hard Way

by The Kinks

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

F#m

[Intro]

E D A A

[Verse 1]

E D A

Boys like you were born to waste

E D A

You never listen to a word I say

E D A

And if you think you're here to mess around you're making a big mistake

E D A

'Cos you're gonna find out the hard way

E D A

You're gonna find out the hard way

[Verse 2]

E D A

No matter what I do or say

E D A

you're much too dumb to educate

E D A

One day life's going to turn around and slap you in the face

E D A

Then you're gonna find out the hard way (you can take the hard way)

E D A

Gonna take the hard way

[Bridge]

C#m F#m C#m F#m

Well, you do it your way and I'll do it my way

E D A

We'll see who's the one to survive

C#m F#m C#m F#m

You'll find that with no foundation or qualifications

E D A

There's no way that you can get by

G D E

No, there's no way you can get by

[Verse 3]

E D A

Why don't you take the easy way?

E D A

Why don't you co-operate?

E D A

Don't just sit there and vegetate,

E D A

Do you want to end up illiterate?

[Solo]

E D A A

[Bridge]

C#m F#m C#m F#m

You think that life's a vacation and you've no inclination

E D A

To dust away the cobwebs of your mind

C#m F#m C#m F#m

Now it's time for confrontation and I'm tired of being patient

E D A

So I've got to be cruel to be kind, yeah

G D E

I've got to be cruel to be kind

[Verse 4]

E D A

I'm wasting my vocation teaching you to write neat

E D A

When you're only fit to sweep the streets

E D A

Your intellect is such that it requires a curate's touch

E D A

So I'm going to play it your way

E D A

You can take the hard way

E D A

Going to take the hard way

E D A

You can take the hard way

E D A

Gonna take the hard way

E D A

You're gonna take the hard way

[Outro]

E D A A

B F# D A

About Hard Way Chords by The Kinks

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

FAQ — Hard Way by The Kinks

How do I play "Hard Way" by The Kinks on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Hard Way" by The Kinks 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 "Hard Way" by The Kinks free?

Yes. The chords for "Hard Way" by The Kinks are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Hard Way" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Hard Way"?

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

Is "Hard Way" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Hard Way" in?

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