Now playing

Pretend

Chords

4.45 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Pretend by The Tragically Hip
World Container (2006)
Use Barre Chords (sounds better)
**for Cmaj7 during the chorus, play the
high E string open for the last strum**
F: 133211
G: 355433
Cmaj7: X35453 (X35450 for last strum)
[Verse 1]
FIf I ask you Cmaj7a question
Are you gFoing to Cmaj7lie to me?
Is tFhat your qCmaj7uestion?
Because that one Fis easyG  
It's gripping the Cmaj7city
AnFd hitting the tCmaj7own
And Fno one on Cmaj7earth is
Doing this FnowG  F  
[Chorus]
FIf you can pretGend
And Cmaj7I can pretenFd
FPretending won't Gend
And Cmaj7then and well tFhen
[Verse 2]
FIf you take the chanCmaj7ces
FI'll take the Cmaj7bows
Saying, "NFo one on Cmaj7earth is
DoFing this noGw"
But if I ask you a qCmaj7uestion
Are you Fgoing to lie to Cmaj7me?
Is tFhat your questCmaj7ion?
Because Fthat one is GeasyF  
[Chorus]
FIf you don't preGtend
And Cmaj7I don't preteFnd
FPretending might Gend
But prCmaj7etend can pretend Fto end, that's right
[Outro]
FYou can't pretGend
Cmaj7Yes, I can, yes, I canF, yes, I can
FYou can't preteGnd
Cmaj7Yes, I can, yes, I canF, yes, I can
FYou can't preGtend
Cmaj7Yes, I can, yes, I can, Fyes, I can
FYou can't pretGend
Cmaj7Yes, I can, yes, I can, Fyes, I can

All chords in this song (3)

🎸 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

Pretend

by The Tragically Hip

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Cmaj7

Pretend by The Tragically Hip

World Container (2006)

Use Barre Chords (sounds better)

**for Cmaj7 during the chorus, play the

high E string open for the last strum**

F: 133211

G: 355433

Cmaj7: X35453 (X35450 for last strum)

[Verse 1]

F Cmaj7

If I ask you a question

F Cmaj7

Are you going to lie to me?

F Cmaj7

Is that your question?

F G

Because that one is easy

Cmaj7

It's gripping the city

F Cmaj7

And hitting the town

F Cmaj7

And no one on earth is

F G F

Doing this now

[Chorus]

F G

If you can pretend

Cmaj7 F

And I can pretend

F G

Pretending won't end

Cmaj7 F

And then and well then

[Verse 2]

F Cmaj7

If you take the chances

F Cmaj7

I'll take the bows

F Cmaj7

Saying, "No one on earth is

F G

Doing this now"

Cmaj7

But if I ask you a question

F Cmaj7

Are you going to lie to me?

F Cmaj7

Is that your question?

F G F

Because that one is easy

[Chorus]

F G

If you don't pretend

Cmaj7 F

And I don't pretend

F G

Pretending might end

Cmaj7 F

But pretend can pretend to end, that's right

[Outro]

F G

You can't pretend

Cmaj7 F

Yes, I can, yes, I can, yes, I can

F G

You can't pretend

Cmaj7 F

Yes, I can, yes, I can, yes, I can

F G

You can't pretend

Cmaj7 F

Yes, I can, yes, I can, yes, I can

F G

You can't pretend

Cmaj7 F

Yes, I can, yes, I can, yes, I can

About Pretend Chords by The Tragically Hip

Learn how to play Pretend by The Tragically Hip with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Pretend chords”, “Pretend guitar chords”, or “The Tragically Hip Pretend 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 Pretend chords and for experienced players who want accurate Pretend lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, F, G, Cmaj7.

FAQ — Pretend by The Tragically Hip

How do I play "Pretend" by The Tragically Hip on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Pretend" by The Tragically Hip 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 "Pretend" by The Tragically Hip free?

Yes. The chords for "Pretend" by The Tragically Hip are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Pretend" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Pretend"?

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

Is "Pretend" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Pretend" in?

The chords for "Pretend" show the original chord names (including E, F, G, Cmaj7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.