The Way It Was
View chords used in this chart
Intro: E C#m Abm A B (2x)
E C#m Abm A B
I drove through the desert last night
E C#m Abm A B
I carried the weight of our last fight
E C#m Abm
Elvis singing "Don't be Cruel" and I wonder if you feel it too
A B
It's like we're going under.
C#m F#m Abm
Somewhere outside the lonely Esmeralda County line,
A B
The question of my heart came to my mind:
A E
If I go on with you by my side,
A E B A
Can it be the way it was when we met?
E B
Did you forget all about those golden nights?
E C#m Abm A B
Maybe if thieves stole your heart
E C#m Abm
Or maybe we just drifted apart.
A B
I remember driving
E C#m Abm
In my daddy's car to the airfield, blanket on the hood,
A B
Backs against the windshield.
C#m F#m Abm
Back then this thing was running on momentum, love and trust.
A B
That paradise is buried in the dust.
A E
If I go on with you by my side,
A E B A
Can it be the way it was when we met?
E B
Did you forget all about those golden nights?
(The way it was, it was)
F#m C#m
All of our plans are falling through.
F#m B A
Sometimes a dream, it don't come true.
A E B (2x)
A E
Darling. Darling
A
(If we go on can it be)
A E B A
Can it be the way it was when we met?
E B
Did you forget all about them golden nights?
A E
If I go on with you by my side,
A E B
Can it be the way it was?
A E
My heart is true, girl, it's just you
B
I'm thinking of
A E
Can it be the way it was?
C#m Abm A B
E C#m Abm A B
(Maybe thieves stole your heart.)
Outro: E C#m Abm A B (2x)
How to play The Way It Was
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 E. 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.