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Present Tense

Chords

5.0255 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Album version from Moon Shaped Pool (2016)
- Note this is a simplified chord version
- For individual finger plucking, see Tab version
Intro + Bridge     Verse               Chorus
--------------     -------------       ----------
   Em022003             Em022003         Em022003
   Amx02210             Amx02210          Dxx0232
    Bx24442              Cx32010          G320033
  G#m46644x             Bmx2443x          Cx32010
    G35543x          Dsus2xx0230          Ax02220
    Cx32010          Asus4x02230
    F13321x
   Dmxx0231
Capo 4th fret
[Intro]
Em   Am   B
G#m  G    C
F    Dm   G
Em   Am   B
G#m  G    C
F    Dm   G
[Verse 1]
Em    Am
Em    Am
   EmThis AmdanceEm, this Amdance
(CThis dance) is like a Bmweapon, Cis like a Bmweapon
   EmOf self deAmfenseEm, of self deAmfense
   CAgainst the Bmpresent, Cagainst the Bmpresent
   CPresent Dsus2tense
[Verse 2]
   EmI won't get AmheavyEm, don't get Amheavy
   CKeep it Bmlight and, Ckeep it Asus4moving
   CI am Bmdoing, Cno Dsus2harm
[Verse 3]
   EmAs my AmworldEm, comes Amcrashing down
   CI'm Bmdancing, Cfreaking Asus4out
   CDeaf, Dsus2dumb, and Emblind
[Chorus 1]
Em   D G
C    A
Em   D
In you I'm Glost
In you I'm ClostA  
[Bridge]
   EmI won't turn aroundAm, when the penny drops
   BI won't stop now, G#mI won't slack off
   GOr all this love, Cwill be in vain
F  Dm  G  Dm
   EmStop from fallingAm, down a mine
   BIt's no one's businessG#m, but mine
   GThat all this love, Ccould be in vain
F  Dm  G
[Chorus 2]
Em   D
In you I'm Glost
In you I'm ClostA  
Em   D
In you I'm Glost
In you I'm ClostA  
[Outro]
Em    Am
Em    Am
Em    Am
Em    Am    Em

All chords in this song (13)

The story behind the song

Radiohead is an English rock band known for their experimental approach that has advanced the sound of alternative rock. Their work often explores complex themes, and this song, "Present Tense," carries a feeling of being caught in the moment, perhaps reflecting on what is happening right now. It plays like a meditation on the immediate experience.

AI-written from these sources:Radiohead — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

Present Tense

by Radiohead

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

G#m

Dsus2

Asus4

Album version from Moon Shaped Pool (2016)

- Note this is a simplified chord version

- For individual finger plucking, see Tab version

Intro + Bridge Verse Chorus

-------------- ------------- ----------

Em Em Em

022003 022003 022003

Am Am D

x02210 x02210 xx0232

B C G

x24442 x32010 320033

G#m Bm C

46644x x2443x x32010

G Dsus2 A

35543x xx0230 x02220

C Asus4

x32010 x02230

13321x

xx0231

Capo 4th fret

[Intro]

Em Am B

G#m G C

F Dm G

Em Am B

G#m G C

F Dm G

[Verse 1]

Em Am

Em Am Em Am

This dance, this dance

C Bm C Bm

(This dance) is like a weapon, is like a weapon

Em Am Em Am

Of self defense, of self defense

C Bm C Bm

Against the present, against the present

C Dsus2

Present tense

[Verse 2]

Em Am Em Am

I won't get heavy, don't get heavy

C Bm C Asus4

Keep it light and, keep it moving

C Bm C Dsus2

I am doing, no harm

[Verse 3]

Em Am Em Am

As my world, comes crashing down

C Bm C Asus4

I'm dancing, freaking out

C Dsus2 Em

Deaf, dumb, and blind

[Chorus 1]

Em D G

C A

Em D

In you I'm lost

C A

In you I'm lost

[Bridge]

Em Am

I won't turn around, when the penny drops

B G#m

I won't stop now, I won't slack off

G C

Or all this love, will be in vain

F Dm G Dm

Em Am

Stop from falling, down a mine

B G#m

It's no one's business, but mine

G C

That all this love, could be in vain

F Dm G

[Chorus 2]

Em D

In you I'm lost

C A

In you I'm lost

Em D

In you I'm lost

C A

In you I'm lost

[Outro]

Em Am

Em Am Em

About Present Tense Chords by Radiohead

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

FAQ — Present Tense by Radiohead

How do I play "Present Tense" by Radiohead on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Present Tense" by Radiohead 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 "Present Tense" by Radiohead free?

Yes. The chords for "Present Tense" by Radiohead are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Present Tense" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Present Tense"?

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

Is "Present Tense" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Present Tense" in?

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