If chords
by Bread

  • If was written by David Gates from the band - Bread.
  • Recorded: 1971
  • Released: March 21, 1971.
  • Album: Manna
  • Music: Key of A Major in 4/4 time at 94 bpm (♩)
  • Vocal Range: E4-A5
  • Chords: A, Bm7, C#, C#m7, D6, Dm6, E, E7, Em, F#7, F#m
Chart Legend
Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords   O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings   R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open   X: Don't play string    B: Bass Note
A Major Bm7 Bm7 - V2 Bm7 Barre C# Major C#m7 D6 Dm6 E Major E7 Em F#7 F#m
C Major Cmaj7 F Major F Major F/C Major G Major G7 E7 Am/E Dm7

If

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
             
          A     E     Em     D6     Dm6     A     Dm6     E7
Intro: ‖     |     |      |      |       |     |       |      ‖
    

        A                 E
1. If a pict-ure paints a thou-sand  words
        Em                D6
   Then why can’t I paint you
       Dm6               A
   The words will nev-er show
       Dm6              E7
   The you I’ve come to know
   
        A                   E
2. If a face could launch a thous-and ships
        Em            D6
   Then where am I to go
           Dm6              A
   There’s no-one home but you
          Dm6                E7
   You’re all that’s left me too
   
       F#m      C#        A                D6 
** And when  my love  for life is run-ning dry
       C#m7      F#7        Bm7     E7 
   You come  and pour  your-self on me  
   
        A                E
3. If a man could be two plac-es
          Em               D6
   At one time I’d be with you   
      Dm6            A
   To-mor-row and to-day
      Dm6               E7
   Be-side you all the  way   
   
          A                    E  
4. If the world should stop re-volv-ing
             Em              D6
   Spin-ning slow-ly down to die
       Dm6                A 
   I’d spend the end with you
       Dm6                E7
   And when the world was through
   
        F#m     C#       A                  D6 
** Then one  by one  the stars would all go out
        C#m7     F#7      Bm7     E7    A        D6     Dm6     A
   Then you  and I  would simp-ly fly a-way...|      |       |  𝄑  |

Notes:

  • Level Of Ease: Moderate
  • Song Key: A Major - 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#)
  • D6 and Dm6 although not commonly used are very easy to play. They add a unique quality to the sound which works well in this style of song.
  • The barre chords F#m, F#7, C# and C#m7 all revolve around basic open E and A shapes with the addition of a barre using your first finger.
  • F#m (Em shape), F#7 (E7 shape), C# (A shape), and C#m7 (Am7 shape)
  • I have included several forms of Bm7 - open and barred. The open Bm7s (almost B7 equivalents) work well here... see what you think.
  • If you need further help with any chords, visit the guitar chords page with charts for all chord types along with formulas for each chord.

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