Changes chords
by David Bowie
- Changes was written by English singer-songwriter - David Bowie
- Recorded: June-July, 1971
- Released: Jan 7, 1972
- Album: Hunky Dory
- Music: C Major in 4/4 time at 114 - 116 bpm (𝅘𝅥)
- Time Signatures: Several timing changes occur throughout the song which are all listed - 2/4, 3/4 4/4.
- Chords: C, Cmaj7, Db6, Dbmaj7, D, Dm7, Eb7, Ebm7, Em, Em7, F, Fmaj7, G, G7, G11, G13, Am, Bbsus2
Chart Legend
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open X: Don't play string B: Bass Note








































Changes
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
Cmaj7 Db6 Dm7 Eb7 F D F D F
Intro: 4/4 | | | | | | | | | |
Oh yeah
C Em7
1. Still don't know what I was wait-ing for
F G
And my time was run-ning wild
F
A mil-lion dead-end streets and
C Em7
Ev'-ry time I thought I'd got it made
Fmaj7 G13
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
C Dm7 Em7 Ebm7
So I turned my-self to | face me - |
Dm7 G7
But I've nev-er caught a glimpse
Cmaj7 Dm7 Em7 Ebm7
How the oth-ers must see the fak - er
Dm7 G7 F
I'm much too fast to take that | test - |
(Ch-ch-ch-ch-chan-ges)
C Em Am
Chorus: Turn and face the stran-ger
C
Ch - ch - chan - ges
F Am D
Don't want to be a rich-er [2/4] man [4/4]
G7 F
Ch - ch - ch - ch - chan-ges
C Em Am
Turn and face the stran-ger
C
Ch - ch - chan-ges
F Am D
Just gon-na have to be a dif'-frent [2/4] man
Am G Bbsus2 F
[3/4] Time may change me
Am G G11 C C
But I can't trace time | 4/4 |
D F D F
|| | | | ||
C Em7
2. I watch the rip-ples change their size
F G F
But ne-ver leave the stream of warm im-per-man-ence and
C Em7
So the days float through my eyes
Fmaj7 G13
But still the days seem the same
C Dm7 Em7 Ebm7
And these child-ren that you spit on
Dm7 G7
As they try to change their worlds
Cmaj7 Dm7 Em7 Ebm7
Are im-mune to your con-sul-ta-ti-ons
Dm7 G7 F
They're quite a-ware of what they're go-ing | through - |
(Ch-ch-ch-ch-chan-ges)
C Em Am
Chorus: Turn and face the stran-ger
C
Ch - ch - chan - ges
F Am D
Don't tell them to grow up and [2/4] out of it [4/4]
G7 F
Ch - ch - ch - ch - chan-ges
C Em Am
Turn and face the stran-ger
C
Ch - ch - chan-ges
F Am D
Where's your shame, you've left us up to our [2/4]necks in it
Am G Bbsus2 F
[3/4] Time may change me
Am G G11 C Dm7 Em7
But you can't trace |4/4 time / / / |
F C F C
Bridge: Strange fas-cin-a-tion fas-cin-a-ting me | |
F G13 G7 F
Chan-ges are tak-ng the pace I'm go-ing | through - |
(Ch-ch-ch-ch-chan-ges)
C Em
Chorus: Turn and face the strange
C
Ch - ch - chan - ges
F Am D
Oh look out you rock'n' [2/4] rol-lers [4/4]
G7 F
Ch - ch - ch - ch - chan-ges
C Em Am
Turn and face the stran-ger
C
Ch - ch - chan-ges
F Am D
Pret-ty soon now you're gon-na get [2/4]old-er
Am G Bbsus2 F
[3/4] Time may change me
Am G G11 C
But I can't trace time, I said that
Am G Bbsus2 F
Time may change me
Am G G11 C
But I can't trace time
Outro: Dm7 Em7 Eb7 Dm7 Dbmaj7 Cmaj7
| | | | | | 𝄑 |
Song Facts
Changes" is a classic song by British rock musician David Bowie and reflects his thoughts on personal growth, transformation, and the ever-evolving nature of life and identity. The song's lyrics touch on the idea that change is a constant in life and that individuals must adapt to it.
The song blends elements of rock, pop, and glam rock, which were characteristic of Bowie's early 1970s sound. It features catchy piano and guitar melodies and is known for its memorable saxophone solo played by Bowie's longtime collaborator, Mick Ronson.
"Changes" was released as a single in 1972 and became one of Bowie's early hits, reaching No. 41 on the UK Singles Chart. It also helped establish Bowie's reputation as a groundbreaking artist.
Has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials, further solidifying its place in pop culture. It has been used to underscore moments of transformation and transition in various media. Here are some examples.
Films:
- Shrek 2 (2004): Featured in the animated film Shrek 2 during a scene where Shrek and Fiona return from their honeymoon.
- The Breakfast Club (1985): The song is played in the opening credits of the classic '80s film The Breakfast Club.
- American Psycho (2000): Used in a memorable scene in the film starring Christian Bale.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): The song is included in the soundtrack of this coming-of-age film.
- Mona Lisa Smile (2003): Featured in the soundtrack of this period drama starring Julia Roberts.
TV Shows:
- The Sopranos: The song appears in the television series in various episodes.
- Life on Mars (UK): The song is used in the UK TV series which pays tribute to the music of the 1970s.
- Scrubs: Played in an episode of the medical comedy-drama series.
- Glee: The song is covered in the popular musical series
Commercials:
- Volkswagen
- Dentyne Ice Gum