Suffragette City chords

by David Bowie

Song Key: A Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 144 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner

Chords: A, B, C, D, E, F, G ... OR

Power Chords: A5, B5, C5, D5, E5, F5, G5

Arrangement Guitar Tab Intro Song Details
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
A Major A Major barre chord B major B Major barre chord C Major C Major barre chord D Major D Major barre chord E Major E Major barre chord F Major F Major barre chord G Major G Major barre chord
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
A Major-LH A Major barre chord-LH B major-LH B Major barre chord-LH C Major-LH C Major barre chord-LH D Major-LH D Major barre chord-LH E Major-LH E Major barre chord-LH F Major-LH F Major barre chord-LH G Major-LH G Major barre chord-LH
Speed: x0.1

Suffragette City

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
 
              A            A
Intro: 4/4 |      |  %  |     |  %  |

   A          F                   G
1. Hey Man oh leave me a-lone you know
   A          F                           G
   Hey Man oh Hen-ry  Get off the phone I got-ta
   A                 B 
   Hey Man, I got-ta straight-en my face 
        D                                 F            G
   This mel-low thighed chick just put my spine out of place
 
   A           F              G
2. Hey Man, my school days in-sane
   A           F                G
   Hey Man, my world's down the drain
   A                     B
   Hey Man, Well she's a total blam blam,
       D                                  F              G
   She said she had to squeeze it but she   And then she...
 
                 A                         D
Chorus: Oh don't lean on me man 'cause you can't af-ford the tick-et
      F             C             G
        I'm back on Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
                 A                         D
        No don't lean on me man 'cause you ain't got time to check it
      F             C             G
        You know my Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
                  A
      	Its ou-ta sight she's all | right |   %   |   %   |   %   |
 
   A                   F                       G
3. Hey Man  ah Henry,  don't  be  unkind, go a-way
   A                F                      G
   Hey Man  I can't take you this time, no way
   A                      B 
   Hey Man, dear droo-gie don't crash here
           D                               F              G
   There's on-ly room for one and here she comes here she come
 
                 A                         D
Chorus: Oh don't lean on me man 'cause you can't af-ford the tick-et
      F         C             G
        Back on Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
                 A                         D
        No don't lean on me man 'cause you ain't got time to check it
      F             C             G
        You know my Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
                   A
        It's ou-ta sight she's all right 

          A        F     A        F   G   A    B    D    F  G
Instr: | (right) |   Oh| hit me |   -   |    |    |    |   - (Oh don't)|
                     
                 A                         D
Chorus: Oh don't lean on me man 'cause you can't af-ford the tick-et
      F         C             G
        Back on Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
                 A                         D
        No don't lean on me man 'cause you ain't got time to check it
      F             C             G
        You know my Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty

              A                         D
Chorus: Don't lean on me man 'cause you can't af-ford the tick-et
      F         C             G
        Back on Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
              A                         D
        Don't lean on me man 'cause you ain't got time to check it
      F             C             G
        You know my Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
                  A                        A
        Its ou-ta sight...  Woah she's all right
      F                  A       F                  A
        On Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty     On Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
      F                           A  
        I'm back on Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty...
      F                           A
        I'm back on Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
        F                           A
        Woo-hoo... On Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
        F                     A        
        Oo   On Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
            F                       A
        Hoo Hah... On Suf-fra-gette Ci-ty
            F                           E
        Hoo Hah... On Suf-fra-gette |       |   %   |    %   |
          A
        | 𝄑  Ahh...  | Wham bham thank you mam |  %  |   
         F                    A 
        |  On Suf-fra-gette | Ci-ty... | x7 (ad-lib) 
          A              E                            A
        |   Oh  Yeah |       |    %   |   Suf-fra - | gette... |
                                                      𝄑

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: A Major – 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#)
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Fast Rock
  • Metronome: ♩ = 144
  • Voice Range: G4 - A5
  • Chord Types in This Arrangement:
    • Major chords: A, B, C, D, E, F, G
    • Power chords: A5, B5, C5, D5, E5, F5, G5
  • Beginners that are not familiar with power chords or barre chords can simply play the open voicings of each chord which are all displayed in the charts above.

🎸 Playing the Song: Power Chords or Barre Chords

The song sheet displays all major chords, but you have flexible options for how to play them on guitar:

1. Power Chords (as shown in the tab)
  • Power chords use only the root and 5th (and sometimes the octave).
  • They give the song a tight, punchy, rock‑style sound.
  • They’re easy to move around the neck and great for beginners.

2. Barre Chords (played like power chords)
  • You can play full major barre chords, but only strike the bottom 2 or 3 strings.
  • This effectively emulates a power chord, because you’re only sounding the root, 5th, and octave.
  • This approach gives you:
    • more stability in the fretting hand
    • the option to open up into full chords when needed
    • a consistent shape across the neck
Why this works

Power chords are essentially the core of a major chord without the 3rd. When you play only the lower strings of a barre chord, you’re isolating and playing those same notes.


Guitar Tab Intro

Guitar Tab Intro
     A5  B5  B5  C5  D5  D5  E5  E5  F5  G5
e |-----------------------------------------|
B |------------------3----------------------|
G |-----(4)-----(5)--2--(7)-----(9)---------|
D |-(7)--4--(9)--5---0---7---2---9--(3)-(5)-|
A |--7---2---9---3-------5---2---7---3---5--|
E |--5-------7---------------0-------1---3--|

* numbers on the grid indicate frets  
* 0 means the string is played open
* unmarked strings are not to be played
* (?) optional notes - if you don't play 
  optional note, don't play string
* more on reading chords in Tab Form

Song Details:

Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriter: David Bowie
  • Lyrics Begin: Hey man, oh, leave me alone.
  • Featured Artists: David Bowie
  • Single:
    Recorded: 4 February 1972
    Released: 28 April 1972 (B-side to the single Starman)
  • Genre: Glam rock, Proto-punk, Hard rock
  • Album: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
    Recorded: 8 November 1971 – 4 February 1972
    Released: 16 June 1972
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