Shades of Grey
View chords used in this chart
[Intro: ]C#m A B C#m E F#
C#m A B
I was an August baby
C#m E F# C#m
Con - ceived by the Christmas lights
C#m A B C#m
I came in - to the world by the setting sun
E F#
On a humid summer night
A
When my grandmother held me for the very first time
B
She thanked God I looked like my daddy
A
And I never quite knew just what she meant
B
But I knew she was a little too happy
C#m
And now I see
A B C#m
You can't change a stubborn mind
E F# C#m
You can't see the world if your eyes are blind
A B F#
What does it matter any - way
A
In our darkest hour
B C#m A B C#m E F#
We're all just shades of grey
C#m A B C#m
They got married in a tiny chapel
E F#
19 - 65
C#m A B C#m
Malcolm X was on the ra - dio
E F#
When he took her as his wife
A
And she looked so pretty that September day
B
And her older brother cried as he gave her away
A B
And the minister looked like he didn't know what to say
C#m
And then he spoke
A B C#m
You can't change a stubborn mind
E F# C#m
You can't see the world if your eyes are blind
A B F#
What does it matter any - way
A
In our darkest hour
B F# A B F# A B
We're all just shades of grey
Solo: C#m A B C#m E F# x2
A
When my grandmother held me for the very first time
B
She thanked God I looked like my daddy
A
And I never gave a damn just what she meant
B
But I knew she was a little too happy
C#m
And now I see
A B C#m
You can't change a stubborn mind
E F# C#m
You can't see the world if your eyes are blind
A B F#
What does it matter any - way
A
In our darkest hour
B F#
We're all just shades of grey
A B
In our darkest hour we're all just shades of
F# A
Darkest hour we're all just
B C#m A B
Shades of grey
C#m E F#
Hey, Hey, Hey
C#m B A
It doesn't matter anyway
C#m
Don't give a damn
Don't give a damn
E F#
Don't give a damn
C#m
What they say
A B C#m
We're all just shades of grey
E F# C#m A B
We're all just shades of grey
F#
Shades of grey
Hey.....
How to play Shades of Grey
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C#m. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.