Now playing

Be Somebody

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Emajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

EI want to be soHmebody 
C#mI want to make a differenceA  
ELittle boy caught in a drive-by 
G#mWitnessed the killer who made his daddy die, 
AAnd 'cause he identified and signed the dotted line,
HHe could feel it in his stomach, he signed away his life
ELittle boy who once was the leader of his class 
G#mThe little source of joy, always neatly dressed 
ANow would hang his head and be left crying at his desk,
HWas found with his mother, lying in her lap 
F#mWith two bullets in his chest 
F#mAnd,oh my god,what is this madness? 
AI will not let it kill by gladness 
F#mAnd,oh my god, what is this madness? 
AMy joy inside wHill send this Emessage 
I want tHo be somebody 
C#mI want to make a difference,
FoAr we all Hare childrEen of the Mother
I want to Hbe somebody 
C#mI want to make a difference,
AFor we all Hare children of the FaEtherC#m  A  G#m  
EOutspoken man, leading sisters and brothers, 
G#mPicked himself up from hustling,drugs and gutters
ADoing time on the inside, he found a higher power 
HNow, back with a mission to help us help each other 
ERespected from bourgeoisie to homeless in the street
HFrom universities, Africa, the Middle East 
AAnd through the threats of death he spoke truth and set men free
HBut the power of the truth made enemies of the weak 
F#mHe was killed by his own people 
F#mAnd, oh my god, what is this madness? 
AI will not let it kill my gladness 
F#mAnd, oh my god, what is this madness?
AMy joy inside wiHll send this mEessage 
I want to bHe somebody 
C#mI want to make a difference,
AFor we all aHre children of the MEother
I want Hto be somebody 
C#mI want to make a difference
Afor we Hall are childrEen 
EIgnite This Fire inside, this light that is the TrG#muth 
AShake off the system's chains, no longer be thHeir fool 
EIn the face of brutality, show the othG#mer cheek 
ATrigger-happy policing will never kill Hour dignity 
F#mAnd,oh my god, what is this madness? 
AI will not let it kill my gladness 
F#mAnd, oh my god, what is this madness? 
                A               H          E    E    G#m    C#m    A    H     Ex2
My joy inside will send this message 
  [                     E  G#m  
  [Lift up your heart and See 
  [                    C#m  
x2[Open your heart and See
  [                        A   H  E  
  [Lift up your heart and Sing...
I want to be sHomebody 
I want to make a diC#mfference,
AFor we all are cHhildren of the MEother
I want to bHe somebody 
I want to maC#mke a difference,
For Awe all are Hchildren of the FaEther

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

Be Somebody

by Paula Cole

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

G#m

F#m

E H

I want to be somebody

C#m A

I want to make a difference

Little boy caught in a drive-by

G#m

Witnessed the killer who made his daddy die,

And 'cause he identified and signed the dotted line,

He could feel it in his stomach, he signed away his life

Little boy who once was the leader of his class

G#m

The little source of joy, always neatly dressed

Now would hang his head and be left crying at his desk,

Was found with his mother, lying in her lap

F#m

With two bullets in his chest

F#m

And,oh my god,what is this madness?

I will not let it kill by gladness

F#m

And,oh my god, what is this madness?

A H E

My joy inside will send this message

I want to be somebody

C#m

I want to make a difference,

A H E

For we all are children of the Mother

I want to be somebody

C#m

I want to make a difference,

A H E C#m A G#m

For we all are children of the Father

Outspoken man, leading sisters and brothers,

G#m

Picked himself up from hustling,drugs and gutters

Doing time on the inside, he found a higher power

Now, back with a mission to help us help each other

Respected from bourgeoisie to homeless in the street

From universities, Africa, the Middle East

And through the threats of death he spoke truth and set men free

But the power of the truth made enemies of the weak

F#m

He was killed by his own people

F#m

And, oh my god, what is this madness?

I will not let it kill my gladness

F#m

And, oh my god, what is this madness?

A H E

My joy inside will send this message

I want to be somebody

C#m

I want to make a difference,

A H E

For we all are children of the Mother

I want to be somebody

C#m

I want to make a difference

A H E

for we all are children

E G#m

Ignite This Fire inside, this light that is the Truth

A H

Shake off the system's chains, no longer be their fool

E G#m

In the face of brutality, show the other cheek

A H

Trigger-happy policing will never kill our dignity

F#m

And,oh my god, what is this madness?

I will not let it kill my gladness

F#m

And, oh my god, what is this madness?

A H E E G#m C#m A H E

My joy inside will send this message

E G#m

[

[Lift up your heart and See

C#m

[

x2[Open your heart and See

A H E

[

[Lift up your heart and Sing...

I want to be somebody

C#m

I want to make a difference,

A H E

For we all are children of the Mother

I want to be somebody

C#m

I want to make a difference,

A H E

For we all are children of the Father

About Be Somebody Chords by Paula Cole

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

FAQ — Be Somebody by Paula Cole

How do I play "Be Somebody" by Paula Cole on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Be Somebody" by Paula Cole 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 "Be Somebody" by Paula Cole free?

Yes. The chords for "Be Somebody" by Paula Cole are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Be Somebody" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Be Somebody"?

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

Is "Be Somebody" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Be Somebody" by Paula Cole with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Paula Cole below.

What key is "Be Somebody" in?

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