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Holding Back The Years

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Chords
     Dm9x5355x
     G133x345x
      G93x3435
   Fmaj7xx3210
[Intro]
|    Dm9|    Em9|  Fmaj7|    G13| (x2)
[Verse 1]
  Dm9Holding back the G13years,     Dm9thinking of the feG13ar I've had so long,
  Dm9When somebody   G13hears,     Dm9listen to the feaG13r that’s gone,G13  
  Dm9Strangled by the G13wishes of pater,     Dm9hoping for the arG13ms of mater
  Dm9Get to me the Gsooner or laterG  
[Instrumental]
|    Dm9|    G13| (x2)
[Verse 2]
  Dm9Holding back the G13years,     Dm9chance for me to eG13scape from all I’ve known
  Dm9Holding back the G13tears,     Dm9cause nothing here has grG13ownG13  
  Dm9I’ve wasted all my G13tears,     Dm9wasted all thG13ose years
  Dm9And nothing had the G13chance to be good,    Dm9nothing ever coG13uld yeah whG13oa
[Chorus 1]
  Dm9I’ll keep G9holding on,    Dm9I’ll keeG9p holding on
  Dm9I’ll keep G9holding on,    Dm9I’ll keeG9p holding onG9  
So Dm9tight           G9  Dm9  G9  
[Bridge]
  GAll right, GHo now, Well GI-
[Verse 3]
   Dm9-I’ve wasted all my G13tears,     Dm9wasted all G13those years
  Dm9And nothing had the G13chance to be good,    Dm9Cause' nothing ever couG13ld hoooy,
G13Hooy
[Chorus 2]
  Dm9I’ll keep Gholding on,    Dm9I’ll keGep holding on
  Dm9I’ll keep Gholding on,    Dm9I’ll keGep holding on
  GHolding, Gholding, holding, HDm9aaay lalalaGaa    Dm9I say  Hooo Gyeah
[Outro]
  Dm9That’s all I have G9today
  Dm9It’s all I have to G9say
Ending
|    Dm9|     G9| (x3)

All chords in this song (6)

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Holding Back The Years

by Simply Red

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dm9

G13

Fmaj7

Em9

Chords

Dm9

x5355x

G13

3x345x

3x3435

Fmaj7

xx3210

[Intro]

Dm9 Em9 Fmaj7 G13

| | | | | (x2)

[Verse 1]

Dm9 G13 Dm9 G13

Holding back the years, thinking of the fear I've had so long,

Dm9 G13 Dm9 G13 G13

When somebody hears, listen to the fear that’s gone,

Dm9 G13 Dm9 G13

Strangled by the wishes of pater, hoping for the arms of mater

Dm9 G G

Get to me the sooner or later

[Instrumental]

Dm9 G13

| | | (x2)

[Verse 2]

Dm9 G13 Dm9 G13

Holding back the years, chance for me to escape from all I’ve known

Dm9 G13 Dm9 G13 G13

Holding back the tears, cause nothing here has grown

Dm9 G13 Dm9 G13

I’ve wasted all my tears, wasted all those years

Dm9 G13 Dm9 G13 G13

And nothing had the chance to be good, nothing ever could yeah whoa

[Chorus 1]

Dm9 G9 Dm9 G9

I’ll keep holding on, I’ll keep holding on

Dm9 G9 Dm9 G9 G9

I’ll keep holding on, I’ll keep holding on

Dm9 G9 Dm9 G9

So tight

[Bridge]

G G G

All right, Ho now, Well I-

[Verse 3]

Dm9 G13 Dm9 G13

-I’ve wasted all my tears, wasted all those years

Dm9 G13 Dm9 G13

And nothing had the chance to be good, Cause' nothing ever could hoooy,

G13

Hooy

[Chorus 2]

Dm9 G Dm9 G

I’ll keep holding on, I’ll keep holding on

Dm9 G Dm9 G

I’ll keep holding on, I’ll keep holding on

G G Dm9 G Dm9 G

Holding, holding, holding, Haaay lalalaaa I say Hooo yeah

[Outro]

Dm9 G9

That’s all I have today

Dm9 G9

It’s all I have to say

Ending

Dm9 G9

| | | (x3)

About Holding Back The Years Chords by Simply Red

Learn how to play Holding Back The Years by Simply Red with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Holding Back The Years chords”, “Holding Back The Years guitar chords”, or “Simply Red Holding Back The Years 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 Holding Back The Years chords and for experienced players who want accurate Holding Back The Years lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm9, G13, G9, Fmaj7, Em9, G.

FAQ — Holding Back The Years by Simply Red

How do I play "Holding Back The Years" by Simply Red on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Holding Back The Years" by Simply Red free?

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Can I transpose "Holding Back The Years" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Holding Back The Years"?

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

Is "Holding Back The Years" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Holding Back The Years" by Simply Red with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Simply Red below.

What key is "Holding Back The Years" in?

The chords for "Holding Back The Years" show the original chord names (including Dm9, G13, G9, Fmaj7, Em9, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.