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Power And The Passion

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[Intro]
Bm        C#  F#     Bm
[Verse 1]
BmPeople wasting away
In C#paraF#dise
BmGoing backwards, once in a while
C#Taking your F#time, Bmgive it a try
BmWhat do you believe, what do you believe
What do C#you belF#ieve is tBmrue?
BmNothing they say makes a difference this way
C#Nothing they F#say will dBmo
[Pre Chorus]
You Dtake all the trouble that Eyou can afford
At lEmeast you won't have time to be BboredEm  
At lEmeast you won't have time to be BboredEm  D  
[Chorus]
D#mOh the poD#m7wer and the C#7passion, oD#mh the temC#per of the D#mtime
D#mOh the poD#m7wer and the C#7passion
D#mSometimes you've got to C#take the hardest liBmne
[Verse 2]
BmSunburnt faces around, with C#skin so F#brown
BmSmiling zinc cream and crowds, C#Sundays the F#beach nBmever a cloud
BmBreathing eucalypt, pushing panel vans
Stuff and C#munch junk F#food
Laughing Bmat the truth, cause Gough was tough til he hit the rough
C#Uncle Sam aF#nd John were Bmquite enough
[Pre Chorus]
DToo much of sunshine Etoo much of sky
It's Emjust enough to make you want to BcryEm  
It's Emjust enough to make you want to BcryEm  D  
[Chorus]
D#mOh the poD#m7wer and the C#7passion, oD#mh the temC#per of the D#mtime
D#mOh the poD#m7wer and the C#7passion
D#mSometimes you've got to C#take the hardest liBmne
[Instrumental]
    Bm      A    G   G7x4
[Verse 3]
BmI see buildings, clothing the sky, in C#paraF#dise
BmSydney, nights are warm
Daytime telly, C#blue rinse F#dawn
BmDad's so bad he lives in the pub, it's a underarms and C#football F#clubs
BmFlat chat, Pine Gap, in every home a Big Mac
And no one goes outC#back, that's F#that
[Pre Chorus]
DYou take what you get and Eget what you please
It's Embetter to die on your feet than to live on your BkneesEm  
It's Embetter to die on your feet than to live on your BkneesEm  D  
[Chorus]
D#mOh the poD#m7wer and the C#7passion, oD#mh the temC#per of the D#mtime
D#mOh the poD#m7wer and the C#7passion
D#mSometimes you've got to C#take the hardest liBmne
[Outro]
        B           A   Gx5
Cm    Dm    Am       Bm

All chords in this song (16)

The story behind the song

"Power and the Passion" captures a restless energy, a sense of people "wasting away" in a world that demands more. It speaks to the struggle of everyday life, from "breathing eucalypt" to pushing panel vans, suggesting a call to action or a refusal to be complacent. The song’s spirit is one of defiance, echoing the sentiment that "it's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." This track was featured on Midnight Oil's 1982 album 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, an album that helped them gain wider popularity. It plays like an anthem for those seeking to break free from stagnation.

AI-written from these sources:Midnight Oil — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Power And The Passion

Power And The Passion

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Power And The Passion

by Midnight Oil

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D#m

D#m7

C#7

[Intro]

Bm C# F# Bm

[Verse 1]

People wasting away

C# F#

In paradise

Going backwards, once in a while

C# F# Bm

Taking your time, give it a try

What do you believe, what do you believe

C# F# Bm

What do you believe is true?

Nothing they say makes a difference this way

C# F# Bm

Nothing they say will do

[Pre Chorus]

D E

You take all the trouble that you can afford

Em B Em

At least you won't have time to be bored

Em B Em D

At least you won't have time to be bored

[Chorus]

D#m D#m7 C#7 D#m C# D#m

Oh the power and the passion, oh the temper of the time

D#m D#m7 C#7

Oh the power and the passion

D#m C# Bm

Sometimes you've got to take the hardest line

[Verse 2]

Bm C# F#

Sunburnt faces around, with skin so brown

Bm C# F# Bm

Smiling zinc cream and crowds, Sundays the beach never a cloud

Breathing eucalypt, pushing panel vans

C# F#

Stuff and munch junk food

Laughing at the truth, cause Gough was tough til he hit the rough

C# F# Bm

Uncle Sam and John were quite enough

[Pre Chorus]

D E

Too much of sunshine too much of sky

Em B Em

It's just enough to make you want to cry

Em B Em D

It's just enough to make you want to cry

[Chorus]

D#m D#m7 C#7 D#m C# D#m

Oh the power and the passion, oh the temper of the time

D#m D#m7 C#7

Oh the power and the passion

D#m C# Bm

Sometimes you've got to take the hardest line

[Instrumental]

Bm A G G7

[Verse 3]

Bm C# F#

I see buildings, clothing the sky, in paradise

Sydney, nights are warm

C# F#

Daytime telly, blue rinse dawn

Bm C# F#

Dad's so bad he lives in the pub, it's a underarms and football clubs

Flat chat, Pine Gap, in every home a Big Mac

C# F#

And no one goes outback, that's that

[Pre Chorus]

D E

You take what you get and get what you please

Em B Em

It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees

Em B Em D

It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees

[Chorus]

D#m D#m7 C#7 D#m C# D#m

Oh the power and the passion, oh the temper of the time

D#m D#m7 C#7

Oh the power and the passion

D#m C# Bm

Sometimes you've got to take the hardest line

[Outro]

B A G

Cm Dm Am Bm

About Power And The Passion Chords by Midnight Oil

Learn how to play Power And The Passion by Midnight Oil with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Power And The Passion chords”, “Power And The Passion guitar chords”, or “Midnight Oil Power And The Passion 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 Power And The Passion chords and for experienced players who want accurate Power And The Passion lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bm, C#, F#, D, E, Em.

FAQ — Power And The Passion by Midnight Oil

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The chords for "Power And The Passion" show the original chord names (including Bm, C#, F#, D, E, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.