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The Longest Time

Chords

5.01,331 votes

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Altered bass line in bridge endings.
Capo on 1st fret
[Chorus]
DOh, Aoh, DohG  
AFor the longest timeD  
AOh, Doh, Goh
AFor the longest time
[Verse 1]
DIf D/C#you sD/Baid D/AgoodbyGe to me Dtonight
DThere D/C#would D/Bstill D/Abe mEusic left to wrAite
F#What else could BmI do
A7I'm so inspDired D7/Aby you
GThat hasn't Emhappened for the Alongest Dtime
[Verse 2]
DOncD/C#e I tD/BhoughD/At my iGnnocence was gDone
DNow D/C#I knD/Bow tD/Ahat hEappiness goes oAn
F#That's where you Bmfound me
A7When you put your Darms aD7/Around me
GI haven't Embeen there for the Alongest tiDme
[Chorus]
DOh, Aoh, DohG  
AFor the longest timeD  
AOh, Doh, ohG  
AFor the longest
[Verse 3]
DI'm D/C#that D/BvoicD/Ae you're Ghearing in the Dhall
DAnd D/C#the D/BgreaD/Atest Emiracle of aAll
F#Is how I Bmneed you
A7And how you nDeeded D7/Ame too
GThat hasEmn't happened for the Alongest Dtime
[Bridge 1]
AMaybe this won't Bmlast very long
But C#7you feel so right
And DI could be wrong
F#mMaybe I've been hBmoping too hard
E7But I've gone this far
And it's AmorA/Ge thaA/F#n I hoA/Eped for
[Verse 4]
DWho D/C#knows D/Bhow D/Amuch Gfurther we'll go Don
DMaD/C#ybe ID/B'll D/Abe soErry when you're Agone
F#I'll take my Bmchances
A7I forgot how nDice rD7/Aomance is
GI haven't Embeen there for the Alongest Dtime
[Bridge 2]
AI had second Bmthoughts at the start
I sC#7aid to myself
Hold Don to your heart
F#mNow I know the wBmoman that you are
You're E7wonderful so far
And it's AmorA/Ge thaA/F#n I hoA/Eped for
[Verse 5]
DI dD/C#on't D/Bcare D/Awhat Gconsequence it bDrings
DI D/C#have D/Bbeen D/Aa fEool for lesser Athings
F#I want you Bmso bad
A7I think you Dought to D7know that
GI intend to Emhold you for the Alongest Dtime
Ending
DOh, Aoh, DohG  
AFor the longest timeD  
Repeat...

All chords in this song (19)

The story behind the song

"The Longest Time" is a tribute to the doo-wop style, reflecting the musical influences that shaped Billy Joel. The song captures a feeling of nostalgia and enduring connection, with its sound evoking the classic vocal group harmonies of artists like Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. Joel himself recorded all the vocal and percussive parts, creating a rich, layered sound. At its heart, it plays like a sweet, reminiscent journey through time and memory.

AI-written from these sources:The Longest Time — Wikipedia ↗List of Billy Joel band members — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

The Longest Time

by Billy Joel

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/C#

D/B

D/A

D7/A

C#7

F#m

A/G

A/F#

A/E

Altered bass line in bridge endings.

Capo on 1st fret

[Chorus]

D A D G

Oh, oh, oh

A D

For the longest time

A D G

Oh, oh, oh

For the longest time

[Verse 1]

D D/C# D/B D/A G D

If you said goodbye to me tonight

D D/C# D/B D/A E A

There would still be music left to write

F# Bm

What else could I do

A7 D D7/A

I'm so inspired by you

G Em A D

That hasn't happened for the longest time

[Verse 2]

D D/C# D/B D/A G D

Once I thought my innocence was gone

D D/C# D/B D/A E A

Now I know that happiness goes on

F# Bm

That's where you found me

A7 D D7/A

When you put your arms around me

G Em A D

I haven't been there for the longest time

[Chorus]

D A D G

Oh, oh, oh

A D

For the longest time

A D G

Oh, oh, oh

For the longest

[Verse 3]

D D/C# D/B D/A G D

I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall

D D/C# D/B D/A E A

And the greatest miracle of all

F# Bm

Is how I need you

A7 D D7/A

And how you needed me too

G Em A D

That hasn't happened for the longest time

[Bridge 1]

A Bm

Maybe this won't last very long

C#7

But you feel so right

And I could be wrong

F#m Bm

Maybe I've been hoping too hard

But I've gone this far

A A/G A/F# A/E

And it's more than I hoped for

[Verse 4]

D D/C# D/B D/A G D

Who knows how much further we'll go on

D D/C# D/B D/A E A

Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone

F# Bm

I'll take my chances

A7 D D7/A

I forgot how nice romance is

G Em A D

I haven't been there for the longest time

[Bridge 2]

A Bm

I had second thoughts at the start

C#7

I said to myself

Hold on to your heart

F#m Bm

Now I know the woman that you are

You're wonderful so far

A A/G A/F# A/E

And it's more than I hoped for

[Verse 5]

D D/C# D/B D/A G D

I don't care what consequence it brings

D D/C# D/B D/A E A

I have been a fool for lesser things

F# Bm

I want you so bad

A7 D D7

I think you ought to know that

G Em A D

I intend to hold you for the longest time

Ending

D A D G

Oh, oh, oh

A D

For the longest time

Repeat...

About The Longest Time Chords by Billy Joel

Learn how to play The Longest Time by Billy Joel with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Longest Time chords”, “The Longest Time guitar chords”, or “Billy Joel The Longest Time 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 The Longest Time chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Longest Time lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A, G, D/C#, D/B, D/A.

FAQ — The Longest Time by Billy Joel

How do I play "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel 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 "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel free?

Yes. The chords for "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Longest Time" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Longest Time"?

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

Is "The Longest Time" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Billy Joel below.

What key is "The Longest Time" in?

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