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Tell It Like It Is

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TRACY CHAPMAN
TELL IT LIKE IT IS
NEW BEGINNING
This is another great Tracy Chapman song. The following chords are for the acoustic
Unfortunately I havn't got the suitable tabs for the e-guitar but I would be very glad to
them... so please, if someone out there has them: Don't hesitate to write them down here...
Chords used:
  Em        Asus      C(add9)       G
   Cmaj7
E         E         E         E         E        E
|-0-|     |-0-|     |-0-|     |-3-|     |-0-|    |-0-|
B         B         B         B
|-0-|     |-3-|     |-3-|     |-0-|     
    B
    |-0-|
G         G         G         G
|-0-|     |-2-|     |-0-|     |-0-|     
    G
    |-0-|
D         D         D         D
|-2-|     |-2-|     |-2-|     |-0-|     
    D
    |-2-|
A         A         A         A
|-2-|     |-0-|     |-3-|     |-2-|     
    A
    |-3-|
E         E         E         E
|-0-|     |-x-|     |-X-|     |-3-|     
    E
    |-0-|
. = "Stacato"
: = "Repeat"
OK, so far so good, here are the chords:
INTRO:
                      Em        Asus
 | Guitar harmonics|:               (x4):|
e|----12-12-12-12--|:--0.-0-0-0-0-0--0--0--0--:|
B|----12-12-12-12--|:--0.-0-0-0-0-3--3--3--3--:|
G|----12-12-12-12--|:--0.-0-0-0-0-2--2--2--2--:|
D|----12-12-12-12--|:--2.-2-2-2-2-2--2--2--2--:|
A|----12-12-12-12--|:--2.-2-2-2-2-0--0--0--0--:|
E|----12-12-12-12--|:--0.-0-0-0-0-x--x--x--x--:|
(The rythm for the "Em Asus" part keeps the same the whole song, however, if the chords
                       EG     CGA
the rythm changes too. .. the    
part)
VERSE 1:
Em              Asus
Say it, say it, say it!
Em    Asus               Em   Asus   Em   Asus
         Tell it like it is!
Em              Asus
Say it, say it, say it!
Em    Asus              Em     Asus
        Tell it like it is___!
Em    Asus               Em    Asus
        What brakes your heart.
Em    Asus                C(add9)
        What keeps you a- wake,
G         A5      G
          (add9)  
  awake at night.
Em    Asus
Em    Asus                     C(add9)
        What makes you want to break___
G         A5      G
          (add9)  
  down and cry___.
Em    Asus    Em    Asus
                       But say you'll never
Cmaj7                       A5
                            (add9)
turn you back.  Say you'll never harden to the world. Say you'll never
Cmaj7              A5
                   (add9)
try to still the rythms in your breast. Say you'll never
Cmaj7                    A5
                         (add9)
look at the evil among us and try to forget. Say you'll tell it like it
Em    Asus    Em    Asus    Em    Asus Em    Asus
is!
Verse 2:
Em              Asus
Say it, say it, say it!
Em    Asus              Em     Asus
        So everyone can hear__!
Em    Asus
Em              Asus
Say it, say it, say it!
Em    Asus              Em     Asus
        Tell it like it is___!
Em    Asus               Em    Asus
        What brakes your heart______.
Em    Asus                C(add9)
        What keeps you a- wake,
G          A5      G
           (add9)  
   awake at night.
Em    Asus
Em    Asus                C(add9)  G                 A5
        How you anger and grief___  make you want to cry out___
G
and tell it like it
Em    Asus    Em    Asus
is___!                But say you'll never
Cmaj7                             A5
                                  (add9)
close your eyes or pretend that it's a rosy world. Say you'll never try to
Cmaj7                    A5
                         (add9)
paint what it's rotten with a sugar coat. Say you talk about the
Cmaj7                  A5
                       (add9)
horrors you've seen and the torments you know. And tell it like it
Em    Asus    Em    Asus    Em    Asus Em    Asus
is!
INSTRUMENTAL SOLO: (The acoustic guitar plays:)
  EmAsusEmAsusEm
|: | |
AsusC(add9)GA5     GEm
| |(add9) |
Asus
:|
VERSE 3:
Em              Asus
Say it, say it, say it!
Em    Asus               Em     Asus
        So noone can for-get__!
Em    Asus
Em              Asus
Say it, say it, say it!
Em    Asus              Em     Asus
        Tell it like it is___!
Em    Asus               Em    Asus
        What brakes your heart.
Em    Asus                C(add9)
        What keeps you a- wake,
G          A5      G
           (add9)  
   awake at night.
Em    Asus
Em    Asus                     C(add9)
        What makes you want to break___
G              A5
 the ties that silence and bind,
G
and tell it like it
Em    Asus    Em    Asus
is___!                    Say you'll never
Cmaj7                                         A5
                                              (add9)
cover your ears and close your mouth and live in a silent world. Say
            Cmaj7                           A5
                                            (add9)
you'll only run as far or as fast as you need to be secure. Say that then
       Cmaj7            A5
                        (add9)
you'll tell the truth when a lie cross your lips. And tell it like it
A5
(add9)(let ring)
is, yeah yeah yeah...
Em    Asus    Em    Asus    Em    Asus Em    Asus
INSTRUMENTAL SOLO 2:
  EmAsusEmAsusEm
|: | |
Asus
:|
OUTRO:
Em              Asus     Em              Asus
Say it, say it, say it!
Em              Asus     Em              Asus
Say it, say it, say it!
Em              Asus     Em              Asus
Say it, say it, say it!
Em              Asus     Em              Asus
Say it, say it, say it!
Em (let ring)
Say it, say it, say it!
That's it. Beautiful, isn't it? If you have any quastions or if you have the e-guitar 
please contact me: peter_waltl@hotmail.com

Tell It Like It Is chords and lyrics

Free chords for Tell It Like It Is by Tracy Chapman. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

TRACY CHAPMAN
TELL IT LIKE IT IS
NEW BEGINNING
This is another great Tracy Chapman song. The following chords are for the acoustic
Unfortunately I havn't got the suitable tabs for the e-guitar but I would be very glad to
them... so please, if someone out there has them: Don't hesitate to write them down here...
Chords used:
  Em        Asus      C(add9)       G       
   Cmaj7
E|-0-|     E|-0-|     E|-0-|     E|-3-|     E|-0-|    E|-0-|
B|-0-|     B|-3-|     B|-3-|     B|-0-|     
    B|-0-|
G|-0-|     G|-2-|     G|-0-|     G|-0-|     
    G|-0-|
D|-2-|     D|-2-|     D|-2-|     D|-0-|     
    D|-2-|
A|-2-|     A|-0-|     A|-3-|     A|-2-|     
    A|-3-|
E|-0-|     E|-x-|     E|-X-|     E|-3-|     
    E|-0-|
. = "Stacato"
: = "Repeat"
OK, so far so good, here are the chords:
INTRO:
(The rythm for the "Em Asus" part keeps the same the whole song, however, if the chords
VERSE 1:
Em    Asus
Verse 2:
Em    Asus
Em    Asus
INSTRUMENTAL SOLO: (The acoustic guitar plays:)
|:Em Asus|Em Asus|Em
Asus|C(add9) G|A5(add9) G|Em
Asus:|
VERSE 3:
Em    Asus
Em    Asus
Em    Asus    Em    Asus    Em    Asus Em    Asus
INSTRUMENTAL SOLO 2:
|:Em Asus|Em Asus|Em
Asus:|
OUTRO:
Em (let ring)
Say it, say it, say it!
That's it. Beautiful, isn't it? If you have any quastions or if you have the e-guitar 
please contact me: peter_waltl@hotmail.com

Tell It Like It Is Chords by Tracy Chapman

Learn how to play Tell It Like It Is by Tracy Chapman with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Tell It Like It Is chords”, “Tell It Like It Is guitar chords”, or “Tracy Chapman Tell It Like It Is 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 Tell It Like It Is chords and for experienced players who want accurate Tell It Like It Is lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, Asus, C(add9), G, Cmaj7, E.

Frequently asked questions about Tell It Like It Is

How do I play "Tell It Like It Is" by Tracy Chapman on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Tell It Like It Is" by Tracy Chapman 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 "Tell It Like It Is" by Tracy Chapman free?

Yes. The chords for "Tell It Like It Is" by Tracy Chapman are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Tell It Like It Is" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Tell It Like It Is"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Tell It Like It Is" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Tell It Like It Is" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Tell It Like It Is" by Tracy Chapman with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tracy Chapman below.

What key is "Tell It Like It Is" in?

The chords for "Tell It Like It Is" show the original chord names (including Em, Asus, C(add9), G, Cmaj7, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.