Close To The Borderline

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123456789101112131415eBGDAE11O1234
Step 1 / 10Position: 2
1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO open
Billy Joel - Close to the Borderline
Tabbed by Baddguitar
Chords:
A5
x022xx
C5
x355xx
G5
355xxx
D5
x577xx
E5 022xxx or x799xx
F#m
244222
C#7
x46464
C#5
x466xx
You have to listen to the recording to get the timing. Here are the chords I heard...
Intro
Drum beat
Guitar (twice)
A5A5 A5A5 D5D5 GD GD
( )= "Riff"
e|--------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------8p7---8p7-----|
G|--2---2-------2---2------7---7------7p7---7p7-----|
D|--2---2-------2---2------7---7------9p7---9p7-----|
A|--0---0-------0---0------5---5--------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------------|
A5 C5
Blackout, heatwave, .44 caliber homicide
G5 D5 GDGD
( )
The bums drop dead and dogs go mad in packs on the West Side
A5 C5
Young girl standing on a ledge looks like another suicide
G5 D5 GDGD
( )
She wants to hit those bricks 'Cause the news at six gotta stick to a deadline
E5 F#m D5 A5
While the millionaires hide in Beekman Place The bag ladies throw their bones in my face
E5 F#m D5 A5
I get attacked by a kid with stereo sound I don't want to hear it but he won't turn it down
E5 C#7 F#m E5 D5
Life is tough but it's just enough To hold back the tears until it's closing time
A5 D5
I survived, I'm still alive
A5A5A5A5D5D5 GDGD
E5(hold) ( )
But I'm getting close to the borderline Close to the borderline
A5A5A5A5D5D5 GDGD
( )
A5 C5
A buck three eighty Won't buy you much lately on the street these days
G5 D5 GDGD
( )
And when you can't get gas You know you can't drive fast anymore on the parkways
A5 C5
Rich man, poor man, either way American shoved into the lost and found
G5 D5 GDGD
( )
The no nukes yell we're gonna all go to hell With the next big meltdown
E5 F#m D5 A5
I got remote control and a color T.V. I don't change channels so they must change me
E5 F#m D5 A5
I got real close friends that will get me high They don't know how to talk and they ain't gonna try
E5 C#7 F#m E5 D5
I shouldn't bitch, I shouldn't cry I'd start a revolution but I don't have time
A5 D5
I don't know why I'm still a nice guy
A5A5A5A5D5D5 GDGD
E5(hold) ( )
But I'm getting close to the borderline Close to the borderline
A5A5A5A5D5D5 GDGD
( )
C#5 D5
I thought I'd sacrifice so many things
C#5 E5
I thought I'd throw them all away
C#5 F#m E5
I didn't think I needed anything
D5 E5
Ah But you can't afford to squander what you're not prepared to pay
[Guitar Solo]
A5 C5G5D5 GDGD A5 C5G5D5 GDGD
( ) ( )
E5 F#m D5 A5
I need a doctor for my pressure pills I need a lawyer for my medical bills
E5 F#m D5 A5
I need a banker to finance my home I need security to back my loan
E5 C#7 F#m E5 D5
It isn't new what I'm going through But everybody knows you got to break sometime
A5 D5
Another night I fought the good fight
A5A5A5A5D5D5 GDGD
E5(hold) ( )
But I'm getting closer to the borderline Closer to the borderline
A5A5A5A5D5D5 GDGD
( )
A5A5A5A5D5D5 GDGD
( )
A5A5A5A5D5D5 GDGD
( )
(Fade)

Close To The Borderline chords and lyrics

Free chords for Close To The Borderline by Billy Joel. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

Billy Joel - Close to the Borderline
Tabbed by Baddguitar
Chords:
A5   x022xx
C5   x355xx
G5   355xxx
F#m  244222
C#7  x46464
C#5  x466xx
You have to listen to the recording to get the timing.  Here are the chords I heard...
Intro
Drum beat
Guitar (twice)
   A5  A5      A5  A5    D5  D5      (G D   G D)= "Riff"
A5 A5  A5 A5  D5 D5  (G D G D)
A5 A5  A5 A5  D5 D5  (G D G D)
[Guitar Solo]
A5   C5  G5  D5  (G D G D)    A5   C5  G5  D5  (G D G D)
A5 A5  A5 A5  D5 D5  (G D G D)
A5 A5  A5 A5  D5 D5  (G D G D)

Close To The Borderline Chords by Billy Joel

Learn how to play Close To The Borderline by Billy Joel with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Close To The Borderline chords”, “Close To The Borderline guitar chords”, or “Billy Joel Close To The Borderline 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 Close To The Borderline chords and for experienced players who want accurate Close To The Borderline lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A5, C5, G5, D5, F#m, C#7.

Frequently asked questions about Close To The Borderline

How do I play "Close To The Borderline" by Billy Joel on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Close To The Borderline" by Billy Joel 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 "Close To The Borderline" by Billy Joel free?

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Can I transpose "Close To The Borderline" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Close To The Borderline"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Close To The Borderline" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Close To The Borderline" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Close To The Borderline" by Billy Joel with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Billy Joel below.

What key is "Close To The Borderline" in?

The chords for "Close To The Borderline" show the original chord names (including A5, C5, G5, D5, F#m, C#7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.