Only Love Can Break Your Heart chords

by Neil Young

Song Key: D Major

Time Signature: 6/8

Tempo: 112 bpm


Standard Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner

Guitar Chords: D, F#m, G, G/E, A, A7 (see charts)

Arrangement Song Details
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
D Major Dmaj7 F#m-V2 F#m G Major G/E Gmaj7 A Major A7
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
D Major-LH Dmaj7-LH F#m-V2-LH F#m-LH G Major-LH G/E-LH Gmaj7-LH A Major-LH A7-LH
Speed: x0.1

Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
             
                  A7     D     G   A    A7   D    G   A    A7
Intro: 6/8 |      ♪ ♪ ♪|    -    |    -    |   -    |   -     |
            1 2 3 4 5 6                                   (When you were)
             
   A7            D         G       A
1. When you were young and on your own
   A7         D       G       A       A7
   How did it feel to be a- | lone -     |  
   Dmaj7                      G
   I was al-ways think-ing of games that I was play-ing
   Dmaj7                          G 
   Try-ing to make the best of my time
 
        A7        Gmaj7               F#m
Chorus: But on-ly love can break your heart
                  G/E        G        A
        Try to be sure right from the start
                  G                   F#m
        Yes on-ly love can break your heart    
                     G/E          G        A       A7
        What if your world should fall a | part -     |   
 
 
          D      G     A     A7     D     G     A     A7
Instr: |      -     |     -     |      -     |     - (I have a)|
 
    A7       D           G      A
2.  I have a friend I've ne-ver seen
    A7           D       G        A        A7
    He hides his head in-side a | dream -     |
    Dmaj7                        G
    Some-one should call him and see if he can come out
    Dmaj7                          G
    Try to lose the down that he's found
 
        A7        Gmaj7               F#m
Chorus: But on-ly love can break your heart
                  G/E        G        A
        Try to be sure right from the start
                  G                   F#m
        Yes on-ly love can break your heart     
                     G/E          G          A       A7
        What if your world should fall a - | part -     |   
 
 
          D      G     A     A7     D     G     A     A7
Instr: |      -     |     -     |      -     |     - (I have a)|
 
 
       A7       D           G      A
Outro: I have a friend I've ne-ver seen
       A7           D       G      A
       He hides his head in-side a dream
       A7         D         G          A
       Yes, on-ly love can  break your heart...(repeat to fade)

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: D Major – 2 sharps (F#, C#)
  • Time Signature: 6/8 — Six eighth-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderately
  • Metronome: ♪ = 112
  • Voice Range: E4 - F4
  • Chord Types in This Arrangement:
    • Major chords: D, G, A
    • Minor chords: F#m
    • Dominant 7th chords: A7
    • Maj7 chords: Dmaj7, Gmaj7
    • Slash chords: G/E

Song Details:

After the Gold Rush Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriter: Neil Young
  • Date: 1970
  • Lyrics Begin: When you were young and on your own
  • Featured Artist: Neil Young
  • Single:
    Recorded: March 15, 1970
    Released: September 19, 1970 / October 19, 1970 (US 7" single)
    B-side: Birds
  • Genre: Folk rock
  • Album: After the Gold Rush
    Recorded: August 1969 – June 1970
    Released: September 19, 1970
Other songs by Neil Young on this site:
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