If chords
by Bread

Song Key: A Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 94 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Intermediate

Guitar Chords: A, Bm7, C#, C#m7, D6, Dm6, E, E7, Em, F#7, F#m

Arrangement Song Details
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
A Major Bm7 Bm7 - V2 Bm7 barre chord C# Major barre chord C#m7 barre chord D6 Dm6 E Major E7 Em F#7 barre chord F#m barre chord
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
A Major-LH Bm7-LH Bm7-V2-LH Bm7 barre chord-LH C# Major barre chord-LH C#m7 barre chord-LH D6-LH Dm6-LH E Major-LH E7-LH Em-LH F#7 barre chord-LH F#m barre chord-LH
Speed: x0.1

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...|      |       |  𝄑  |

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: A Major - 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#)
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderately
  • Metronome: ♩ = 94
  • Voice Range: E4 - A5
  • 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)
    🔹C#m7 (Am7 shape)
  • We've included several forms of Bm7 - open and barred. The open Bm7s (almost B7 equivalents) work well here... see what you think.

Song Details:

  • Songwriter: David Gates
  • Written: 1971
  • Lyrics Begin: If a picture paints a thousand words,
  • Featured Artists: Bread
  • Single:
    Released: March 21, 1971
    B-side: Take Comfort
  • Genre: Soft Rock
  • Album: Manna
    Recorded: 1971
    Released: March 1971 (US)
    Format: 12" Vinyl
    Label: Elektra
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