Once Upon Another Time

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
Song: Once Upon Another Time
Key: G
Original key: D
Fret: 5
Explanation: let me clear the air a bit for you. Once Upon Another Time is, actually, an acapella song for the
first half of it, and then gets somehow synthetized by... something. What I did instead was take the line that
the voice does, and transcribe somehwat of a tab around that. Which is what musicians usually do when they
write chords (it's very rare to hear a person singing a note that's not in the chord, and even then you
can always modify the chord to make it sound better).
Now you can obviously just sing it acapella or simplify the chords, whatever you like, but I do feel like
it could use a bit of, idk, color.
As for the bass-notes: it is IMPERATIVE that you only play G (except for when it is specified not to, at the
end of the first and last chorus–that would be the F#–). The whole point of this song is to give off a feeling
of detachment, which is amplified by the ever so meagre, for lack of better words, accompaniment. Thus,
to communicate this very emotion it's really important that you stick to the G. I would suggest maybe
simplifying the chords in favour of keeping the G, as the result may be better. But it's all down to you.
Enjoy,
Naonis
N.B.: if you wanna sing it I highly suggest playing G instead of G5 because the line starts at B and when I
had to sing it I was basically lost. So yeah, stick to the G (or at least have some kind of B sound in it).
[Verse]
G5 C5/G
Once upon another time, somebody's hands who felt like mine
Cmaj7/G D6/G D7/G Em9/G Em7/G
Turned the key and took a drive, was free
G5 C5/G
Highway curve, the sun sank low, Buckley on the radio
Cmaj7/G D6/G D7/G Em9/G Em7/G
Cigarette was burning slow, so breathe
[Chorus]
D11/G Em7/G
Just yellow lines and tire marks
Am7/G F#m7b5/G
And sun-kissed skin and handle bars
Gmaj9 G6 C6/G Cmaj7/G C/G
And where I stood was where I was to be-ee-ee
D11/G Em7/G
No enemies to call my own
Am7/G F#m7b5/G
No porch light on to pull me home
Gmaj9 G6
And where I was is beautiful
Gsus2 D/F# G5
Because I was free...
G5
Mmh...
[Verse]
G5 C5/G
Once upon another time, before I knew which life was mine
Cmaj7/G D6/G D7/G Em9/G Cmaj7/G
Before I left the child behind me
G5 C5/G
I saw myself in summer nights, and stars lit up like candle light
Cmaj7/G D6/G D7/G Em9/G Cmaj7/G
I make my wish but mostly I believed
[Chorus]
D11/G Em7/G
In yellow lines and tire marks
C6/G F#m7b5/G
Sun-kissed skin and handle bars
G9 G6 C6/G Cm7/G
And where I stood was where I was to be
Gmaj9 G6
Once upon another time
Am7/G F#m7b5/G
Decided nothing good in dying
G7 G6
So I would just keep on driving
C6/G Cm6/G Gmaj7
Because I was free-ee-ee
So, you can even do it like this if you wanna personalise it a bit:
C6/G Gmaj7
Cm6b5/F#
Because I was free-ee-ee
I haven't worked out yet if it actually sounds good or not... do tell me.
[Outro]
G5 C7/G G
Mmh... mmh...

Once Upon Another Time chords and lyrics

Free chords for Once Upon Another Time by Sara Bareilles. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

Song: Once Upon Another Time
Key: G
Original key: D
Fret: 5
Explanation: let me clear the air a bit for you. Once Upon Another Time is, actually, an acapella song for the
first half of it, and then gets somehow synthetized by... something. What I did instead was take the line that
the voice does, and transcribe somehwat of a tab around that. Which is what musicians usually do when they
write chords (it's very rare to hear a person singing a note that's not in the chord, and even then you
can always modify the chord to make it sound better).
Now you can obviously just sing it acapella or simplify the chords, whatever you like, but I do feel like
it could use a bit of, idk, color.
As for the bass-notes: it is IMPERATIVE that you only play G (except for when it is specified not to, at the
end of the first and last chorus–that would be the F#–). The whole point of this song is to give off a feeling
of detachment, which is amplified by the ever so meagre, for lack of better words, accompaniment. Thus,
to communicate this very emotion it's really important that you stick to the G. I would suggest maybe
simplifying the chords in favour of keeping the G, as the result may be better. But it's all down to you.
Enjoy,
Naonis
N.B.: if you wanna sing it I highly suggest playing G instead of G5 because the line starts at B and when I
had to sing it I was basically lost. So yeah, stick to the G (or at least have some kind of B sound in it).
[Verse]
[Chorus]
[Verse]
[Chorus]
So, you can even do it like this if you wanna personalise it a bit:
I haven't worked out yet if it actually sounds good or not... do tell me.
[Outro]

Once Upon Another Time Chords by Sara Bareilles

Learn how to play Once Upon Another Time by Sara Bareilles with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Once Upon Another Time chords”, “Once Upon Another Time guitar chords”, or “Sara Bareilles Once Upon Another Time 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 Once Upon Another Time chords and for experienced players who want accurate Once Upon Another Time lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D, F, B, G5, C5/G.

Frequently asked questions about Once Upon Another Time

How do I play "Once Upon Another Time" by Sara Bareilles on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Once Upon Another Time" by Sara Bareilles 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 "Once Upon Another Time" by Sara Bareilles free?

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Can I transpose "Once Upon Another Time" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Once Upon Another Time"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Once Upon Another Time" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Once Upon Another Time" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Once Upon Another Time" by Sara Bareilles with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Sara Bareilles below.

What key is "Once Upon Another Time" in?

The chords for "Once Upon Another Time" show the original chord names (including G, D, F, B, G5, C5/G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.