The Man Who Sold the World chords

by David Bowie

Song Key: D Minor

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 116 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner 🟢 (see charts)

Chords: Dm, F, Gm, A7, Bbm, C

Tab Intro Arrangement Song Details
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
Dm F Major F Major barre chord- Gm Gm barre chord A7 Bbm Bbm barre chord C Major
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
Dm-LH F Major-LH F Major barre chord-LH Gm-LH Gm barre chord-LH A7-LH Bbm-LH Bbm barre chord-LH C Major-LH
Speed: x0.1

The Man Who Sold the World

The Relative Major Key of Dm is highlighted - Transpose to any other key. 
 
              A           Dm           F
Intro: 4/4 |     |  %  |      |  %  |    |  %  |

 Dm                   A7
1. We passed upon the stair
                              Dm
   We spoke of was and when |    (al-)|
      Dm              A7
   Al-though I wasn't there
                               F
   He said I was his friend |     |
         F                C
   Which came as some sur-prise
                 Gm  A
   I spoke in-to his eyes
                        Dm
   I thought you died a-lone
                      C
   A long long time a-go |  %  |
 
           C       F
Chorus: Oh no, not me
          Bbm             F
        I nev-er lost con-trol
                C      F
        You're face to face
                 Bbm              A              Dm           F
        With the man who sold the world |  %  |      |  %  |     |  %  |

 Dm                        A7
2. I laughed and shook his hand
                               Dm
   And made my way back home |    (I)|
                           A7
   I searched for form and land
                                   F
   For years and years I roamed |     |
     F               C
   I gazed a gaze-ly stare
                  Gm    A
   At all the mil-lions here
                       Dm
   We must have died a-lone
                      C
   A long long time a-go |  %  |
 
            C          F
Chorus: Who knows, not me
           Bbm             F
        We nev-er lost con-trol
               C       F
        You're face to face
                 Bbm               A
        With the man who sold the (world)
 
          A              Dm         F    C  F    C  Dm
        | world  |  %  |    |  %  |  / /  |  / /  |    |  %  |

            C          F
Chorus: Who knows, not me
           Bbm             F
        We nev-er lost con-trol
               C       F
        You're face to face
                 Bbm               A
        With the man who sold the (world) 
          A              Dm         F    C   F    C   Dm
Outro: ‖: world  |  %  |    |  %  |  / /   |  / /   |    |  %  :‖... repeat to fade
            Ah...         Ah...       Ah...           Ah...

Guitar Tab Intro

Guitar Tab Intro

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: D Minor - relative to F Major – 1 flat (Bb)
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderately
  • Metronome: ♩ = 116
  • Voice Range: D4 - F5
  • Chord Types in This Arrangement:
    • Major chords: F, C
    • Minor chords: Dm, Gm, Bbm
    • Dominant 7th chord: A7

Song Details:

The Man Who Sold the World Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriter: David Bowie
  • Lyrics Begin: We passed upon the stair, we spoke of was and when.
  • Genre: Art rock, glam rock, pop
  • Featured Artist: David Bowie
  • Song:
    Recorded: 4 & 22 May 1970
  • Album: The Man Who Sold the World
    Recorded: 17 April – 22 May 1970
    Released: 4 November 1970
Other songs by David Bowie on this site
Back to 70s Songs Back To Top
Contact Me

A seasoned performer joyfully playing the guitar