Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Hard Times

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

HARD TIMES
As recorded by The Animals
(From the 1983 Album ARK)
[Intro]
    Em      D      Em     D     Em    DN.C.
[1st Verse]
N.C.                                      Em  D  
Baby, it's the hard times that'll bring you down
To the Empavement, to the solid Dground
It's gonna be the Chard times
                                         B       Em     DN.C.
That'll leave you when things are cheap again
[2nd Verse]
N.C.                                Em  D  
Baby, it's the hard times, don't you know
That has Emtaken the shine off your Dgolden look
It's gonna be the Chard times that'll leave you Bwhen
                        Em     DN.C.
You come back to me again
[Chorus]
N.C.                     Em               C  B  
Hard times, you're running scared on the streets
Hard Emtimes, with all Cbeggars and the Bpriests
Hard Emtimes, with the welfare Cchecking here on Btime
AmTelling everybody everyBthing's just fine
         Em          D       Em    DN.C.
Hard times,    hard times
[3rd Verse]
N.C.                                      Em  D  
Baby, it's the hard times, and the taste is here
From Emchampagne, going to sipping on Dbeer
Baby, it's the Chard times that's eating on your Bsoul
                        Em    DN.C.
It's about time you know
[Chorus]
N.C.                         Em                    C  B  
Hard times, they've raised the price of smoke and drink
Hard Emtimes, Cgonna make make me stop and Bthink
Hard Emtimes, will it Cever be the Bsame
AmAll this talk of a chance of work is Bjust a crazy Cgame
Hard tEmimes, they're gonna Cforce you to the Bwall
Hard Emtimes, 'til there's Cnothing left at Ball
Hard Emtimes, this walking Cwreck ain't worth a Bdime
                             A                     BN.C.
Got your head hanging down in there with the line
N.C.                        Em            C  B  
Hard times, it seems the whole world has quit
Hard Emtimes, you've got no Cfuture, got no Bpast
Hard Emtimes, just how Clong can it Blast
                                     A       BN.C.
You wake up one day and find out it's gone in a flash
[Outro]
EmHard times!

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

Hard Times

by The Animals

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

HARD TIMES

As recorded by The Animals

(From the 1983 Album ARK)

[Intro]

Em D Em D Em D

N.C.

[1st Verse]

Em D

N.C.

Baby, it's the hard times that'll bring you down

Em D

To the pavement, to the solid ground

It's gonna be the hard times

B Em D

N.C.

That'll leave you when things are cheap again

[2nd Verse]

Em D

N.C.

Baby, it's the hard times, don't you know

Em D

That has taken the shine off your golden look

C B

It's gonna be the hard times that'll leave you when

Em D

N.C.

You come back to me again

[Chorus]

Em C B

N.C.

Hard times, you're running scared on the streets

Em C B

Hard times, with all beggars and the priests

Em C B

Hard times, with the welfare checking here on time

Am B

Telling everybody everything's just fine

Em D Em D

N.C.

Hard times, hard times

[3rd Verse]

Em D

N.C.

Baby, it's the hard times, and the taste is here

Em D

From champagne, going to sipping on beer

C B

Baby, it's the hard times that's eating on your soul

Em D

N.C.

It's about time you know

[Chorus]

Em C B

N.C.

Hard times, they've raised the price of smoke and drink

Em C B

Hard times, gonna make make me stop and think

Em C B

Hard times, will it ever be the same

Am B C

All this talk of a chance of work is just a crazy game

Em C B

Hard times, they're gonna force you to the wall

Em C B

Hard times, 'til there's nothing left at all

Em C B

Hard times, this walking wreck ain't worth a dime

A B

N.C.

Got your head hanging down in there with the line

Em C B

N.C.

Hard times, it seems the whole world has quit

Em C B

Hard times, you've got no future, got no past

Em C B

Hard times, just how long can it last

A B

N.C.

You wake up one day and find out it's gone in a flash

[Outro]

Hard times!

About Hard Times Chords by The Animals

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

FAQ — Hard Times by The Animals

How do I play "Hard Times" by The Animals on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Hard Times" by The Animals 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 "Hard Times" by The Animals free?

Yes. The chords for "Hard Times" by The Animals are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Hard Times" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Hard Times"?

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

Is "Hard Times" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Hard Times" by The Animals with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Animals below.

What key is "Hard Times" in?

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