Tread Water
View chords used in this chart
[Intro ]
F Am G (Em)
How long can we tread water?
F Am G
How long can we stay afloat?
F Am G
F Am G
[Verso 1]
F Am
You loved me like a broken record
G
Skipping through your favorite verse
F Am
You're dancing on to something better
G
With somebody that knows your worth
[Ponte]
F Am G
I'm, I'm just an echo
F Am G
Yeah, I'm, I'm just a wave crashing
[Refrão]
F Am G (Em)
How long can we tread water?
F Am G
How long can we stay 'float?
F Am G (Em)
You wanna swim, you gotta learn to let go
F Am G
'Cause if you hold me any longer, yeah, you know
F Am G
We'll sink like a stone
[Verso 2]
F Am
I never meant to break that promise
G
I never meant to let you down
F Am
You thought that I was something different
G
It's funny how it all played out, yeah
[Ponte]
F Am G
I, I was your lifeboat
F Am G
But I capsized in your waves, crashing
[Refrão]
F Am G (Em)
How long can we tread water?
(How long, how long?)
F Am G
How long can we stay 'float?
(How long, how long?)
F Am G (Em)
You wanna swim, you gotta learn to let go
F Am G
'Cause if you hold me any longer, yeah, you know
Am
We'll sink like a stone
[Ponte]
G
Now nothing I can say is gonna change the way it was
G C
The tide can't wash away the memory of us
Am G
And while the search and rescue's circling above
F
I'd give you the last breath of air from my lungs
F Am G (Em)
How long can we tread water?
F Am G
How long can we stay afloat?
Outro
F Am G (Em)
You wanna swim, you gotta learn to let go
F Am G
'Cause if you hold me any longer, yeah, you know
F Am G
'Cause if you hold me any longer, yeah, you know
F Am G
We'll sink like a stone
F Am G
We'll sink like a stone
How to play Tread Water
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 F. 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.