Ticking

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F Bb/F F Bb/F
"An extremely quiet child" they called you in your school reports
F Bbsus/F Bb/F F Bb/F
"He's always taken interest in the subjects that he's taught"
Am Gm
So what was it that brought the squad car screaming up your drive
C Bb F Bb/F
To notify your parents of the manner in which you died
F Bb/F F Bb/F
At St. Patricks every Sunday, Father Fletcher heard your sins
F Bbsus/F Bb/F F Bb/F
"Oh, he's unconcerned with competition he never cares to win"
Am Gm
But blood stained a young hand that never held a gun
C Bb F Bb/F
And his parents never thought of him as their troubled son
F Am/E Dm
"Now you'll never get to Heaven"
Gm C F A7
Mama said Remember Mama said Ticking, ticking
Dm Gm
"Grow up straight and true blue, Run along to bed"
C C/Bb Am Gm F
Hear it, hear it, ticking, ticking
F Bb/F F Bb/F
They had you holed up in a downtown bar screaming for a priest
F Bbsus/F Bb/F F Bb/F
Some gook said "His brain's just snapped" then someone called the police
Am Gm
You'd knifed a Negro waiter who had tried to calm you down
C Bb F Bb/F
Oh you'd pulled a gun and told them all to lay still on the ground
F Bb/F F
Promising to hurt no one, providing they were still
F Bbsus/F Bb/F F
A young man tried to make a break, with tear-filled eyes you killed
Am Gm
That gun butt felt so smooth and warm cradled in your palm
C Bb F
Oh your childhood cried out in your head "they mean to do you harm"
F Am/E Dm Gm
"Don't ever ride on the devil's knee" Mama said
C F A7
Remember mama said Ticking, ticking
Dm Gm
"Pay your penance well, my child Fear where angels tread"
C C/Bb Am Gm F
Hear it, hear it, ticking, ticking
F Bb/F F
Within an hour the news had reached the media machine
F Bbsus/F Bb/F
A male caucasian with a gun had gone berserk in Queens
Am Gm
The area had been sealed off, the kids sent home from school
C Bb F
Fourteen people lying dead in a bar they called the Kicking Mule
F Bb/F F
Oh they pleaded to your sanity for the sake of those inside
F Bbsus/F Bb/F F
"Throw out your gun, walk out slow just keep your hands held high"
Am Gm
But they pumped you full of rifle shells as you stepped out the door
C Bb F
Oh you danced in death like a marionette on the vengeance of the law
F Am/E Dm Gm
"You've slept too long in silence" Mama said
C F A7
Remember Mama said Ticking, ticking
Dm Gm
"Crazy boy, you'll only wind up with strange notions in your head"
C C/Bb Am Gm F
Hear it, hear it, ticking, ticking
F C/FBb/F
Outro: - -

Ticking chords and lyrics

Free chords for Ticking by Elton John. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

Outro: F - C/F - Bb/F

Ticking Chords by Elton John

Learn how to play Ticking by Elton John with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Ticking chords”, “Ticking guitar chords”, or “Elton John Ticking 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 Ticking chords and for experienced players who want accurate Ticking lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, Bb/F, Bbsus/F, Am, Gm, C.

Frequently asked questions about Ticking

How do I play "Ticking" by Elton John on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Ticking" by Elton John 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 "Ticking" by Elton John free?

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Can I transpose "Ticking" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Ticking"?

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

Is "Ticking" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Ticking" in?

The chords for "Ticking" show the original chord names (including F, Bb/F, Bbsus/F, Am, Gm, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.