Time After Time chords

by Cyndi Lauper

Song Key: C Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 130 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner 🟢

Chords: C, Dm, Dm/C, Em, Am, G, F

Arrangement Beginners Song Details
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
C Major Dm Dm/C Em Am G Major G Major-V2 G Major barre chord F Major F Major barre chord
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
C Major - LH Dm-LH Dm/C Em-LH Am-LH G Major-LH G Major-V2 G Major barre chord-LH F Major-LH F Major barre chord-LH
Speed: x0.1

Time After Time

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
  
               F     G     Em     F
Intro: 4/4 ‖:     |     |      |     :‖

   Dm     C     Dm    C        Dm    C        Dm       C
1. Ly-in’ in my bed I hear the clock tick and think of you
   Dm     C     Dm  C             Dm   C       Dm       C
   Caught up in cir-cles    Con - fu - sion is noth-ing new
   F     G       Em   F                 G       Em
   Flash-back    Warm nights    Al-most left be-hind
   F    G       Em    F            G
   Suit-case of mem-o-ries    Time af-ter...

   Dm   C         Dm       C         Dm   C       Dm    C
2. Some-times you pic-ture me    I'm walk-ing too far a-head
   Dm     C        Dm  C       Dm    C         Dm     C
   You're call-ing to  me    I can't hear what you've said
        F   G      Em  F         G       Em
   Then you say    Go  slow    I fall be-hind
 F     G       Em      F
   The se-cond hand un-winds

                  G                         Am            F      G      C
Chorus: If you're lost you can look and you will find me    Time af-ter time
               G                          Am           F      G      C
        If you fall I will catch you I'll be wait-ing    Time af-ter time
                  G                         Am            F      G      C
        If you're lost you can look and you will find me    Time af-ter time
               G                        Am                  F      G      C
        If you fall I will catch you    I will be wait-ing    Time af-ter time

             F     G     Em      F
          ‖     |     |       |     ‖

   Dm   C      Dm       C         Dm   C        Dm        C
3. Af - ter my pic-ture fades and dark-ness has turned to grey
   Dm    C           Dm  C                Dm      C      Dm   C
   Watch-ing through win-dows    You're won-der-ing if I'm O.K.
   F   G       Em  F           G       Em
   Sec-rets    Sto-len    From deep in-side
 F     G          Em      
   The drum beats out of time

                  G                         Am            F      G      C
Chorus: If you're lost you can look and you will find me    Time af-ter time
               G                          Am           F      G      C
        If you fall I will catch you I'll be wait-ing    Time af-ter time

          G     Am    F     G     C      G     Am     F     G     C
Instr: ‖     |      |    -    |      |      |       |    -     |      ‖

        F   G       Em  F         G       Em
Bridge: You said    Go  slow    I fall be-hind
      F     G       Em      F 
        The sec-ond hand un-winds

                  G                         Am            F      G      C
Chorus: If you're lost you can look and you will find me    Time af-ter time
               G                          Am           F      G      C
        If you fall I will catch you I'll be wait-ing    Time af-ter time
                  G                         Am            F      G      C
        If you're lost you can look and you will find me    Time af-ter time
               G                        Am                  F      G      C
        If you fall I will catch you    I will be wait-ing    Time af-ter time

      F      G      C      F      G      C
        Time af-ter time     Time af-ter time

      F      G      C      F      G      C
        Time af-ter time     Time af-ter time...  repeat to fade

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: C Major - no sharps or flats
  • Chord Set: C, Dm, Em, Am, G, F
  • Time Signature: 4/4 - Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderate Rock
  • Metronome: ♩ = 130
  • Voice Range: G3 - C5
  • Chord Types in This Arrangement:
    • Major chords: C, G, F
    • Minor chords: Dm, Em, Am
    • Slash chord: Dm/C

🎸 Beginner Guitarists:

If you use the open F chord, you may want to try playing the alternative G chord (xx5433) - same finger positions as an open F chord + 2 frets - starting on the 3rd fret (RH/LH charts).

F Major G Major-V2

F Major-LH G Major-V2-LH

On the first 2 lines of each verse you can play | Dm/C - C | instead of | Dm - C | which is more in keeping with the song. Beginners may find this a little difficult to play at first due to the rapid chord changes in succession, but give it a try (RH/LH charts).

Dm/C C Major

Dm/C-LH C Major-LH

Once you get used to the subtle up/down movement of the index finger on strings 1 & 2, and the on/off movement of the pinkie - both in regular succession, it becomes very easy to play.

🎶 It looks like this on the song sheet:

   Dm/C   C     Dm/C  C        Dm/C  C        Dm/C     C
1. Ly-in’ in my bed I hear the clock tick and think of you
   Dm/C   C     Dm/C  C           Dm/C   C       Dm/C     C
   Caught up in cir - cles  Con - fu  -  sion is noth-ing new

🎶 The same applies to the first 2 lines of verses 2 and 3.

Song Details:

Album
Album Cover
  • Songwriters: Cyndi Lauper, Rob Hyman
  • Lyrics Begin: Lyin' in my bed I hear the clock tick and think of you, caught up in circles confusion is nothing new.
  • Genre: Pop, New Wave, Soft Rock
  • Featured Artist: Cyndi Lauper
  • Album: She's So Unusual
    Recorded: May – August 1983
    Released: October 14, 1983
  • Single:
    Recorded: June 1983
    Released: March 12, 1984 (UK), March 27, 1984 (US)
    B-side: I'll Kiss You
Back to 80's Songs Back To Top
Contact Me

A seasoned performer joyfully playing the guitar