WWW.AZCHORDS.COM | Taylor Swift - All You Had To Do Was Stay Chords | Ver. 1
Standard Tuning
No Capo
Chords:
Bb: x13331
F: x33211 or 133211
C: x32010
Dm: xx0231
(To make it easier put a capo on the 5th fret and replace the chords above by F, C, G and Am)
Intro: Bb F C Dm (C)
Verse:
Bb F C
People like you always want back the love they gave away
Dm (C)
People like me want to believe you when you say you've changed
Bb F
The more I think about it now
C
The less I know
Dm (C)
All I know is that you drove us off the road
Chorus:
Bb F
Stay, Hey, all you had to do was stay
C
Had me in the palm of your hand
Dm (C)
Then, why'd you have to go and lock me out when I let you in
Bb F
Stay, hey, now you say you want it
C
Back now that it's just too late
Dm (C)
Well it could've been easy all you had to do was stay
Bb
All you had to do was stay
F
All you had to do was stay
C
All you had to do was stay
Dm (C)
All you had to do was stay
Verse:
Bb
Here you are now
F
Calling me up
C
But I don't know what to say
Dm (C)
I've been picking up pieces of the mess you made
Bb F C
People like you always want back the love they pushed aside
(Dm)
But people like me are gone forever
(C)
When you say goodbye
Chorus:
Bb F
Stay, Hey, all you had to do was stay
C
Had me in the palm of your hand
Dm (C)
Then, why'd you have to go and lock me out when I let you in
Bb F
Stay, hey, now you say you want it
C
Back now that it's just too late
Dm (C)
Well it could've been easy all you had to do was stay
Bb
All you had to do was stay
F
All you had to do was stay
C
All you had to do was stay
Dm (C)
All you had to do was stay
Bridge:
Bb F C
Let me remind you this was what you wanted
Dm (C)
You ended it
Bb F C
You were all I wanted
Dm (C) Bb
But not like this
F
Not like this
C Dm (C)
Not like this
Oh, all you had to do was
Chorus:
Bb F
Stay, Hey, all you had to do was stay
C
Had me in the palm of your hand
Dm (C)
Then, why'd you have to go and lock me out when I let you in
Bb F
Stay, hey, now you say you want it
C
Back now that it's just too late
Dm (C)
Well it could've been easy all you had to do was stay
Bb F
Stay, Hey, all you had to do was stay
C
Had me in the palm of your hand
Dm (C)
Then, why'd you have to go and lock me out when I let you in
Bb F
Stay, hey, now you say you want it
C
Back now that it's just too late
Dm (C)
Well it could've been easy all you had to do was stay
Bb
All you had to do was stay
F
All you had to do was stay
C
All you had to do was stay
Dm (C) Bb
All you had to do was stay
How to play "All You Had To Do Was Stay" by Taylor Swift on guitar
This song features a catchy and upbeat chord progression that uses Bb, F, C,
and Dm, creating a dynamic pop sound. For ease of play, particularly for
beginners, using a capo on the 5th fret and switching to the chords F, C, G,
and Am is recommended.
Chords Used without Capo:
Bb, F, C, Dm
Chords Used with Capo on 5th Fret:
F, C, G, Am
Intro and Verses:
- Start with the intro progression Bb, F, C, Dm. This sets the upbeat tone.
- For verses, maintain this chord sequence to support the lyrical narrative.
Pay attention to the emotional delivery of the lines like "People like you
always want back the love they gave away".
Chorus:
- The chorus ramps up the emotional stakes with the same chord progression.
The repeated lines "All you had to do was stay" are emphasized by the
persistent rhythm and chord strikes.
- Ensure that the transitions between chords are clean and timed well with
the lyrics for maximum impact.
Bridge:
- The bridge slightly varies the progression but maintains the thematic
chords, adding a reflective layer to the song's dynamics.
- Focus on the emotional weight of the words "Let me remind you this was what
you wanted", which can be enhanced by a slight slow down or emphasis in
strumming.
Strumming Pattern:
- A suitable strumming pattern for this song is:
Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
- This pattern allows for a vibrant rhythm suitable for the pop style of the
song, providing a good blend of beat and melody.
Common Mistakes:
- Not applying the capo correctly on the 5th fret can lead to off-pitch
sounds, especially for beginners adjusting to capo use.
- Rushing through the chorus can detract from the emotional and lyrical
clarity. Keep pace steady and aligned with the vocal melody.
General Tips:
- Practice chord transitions smoothly, especially from Bb to F, which can be
a bit challenging for some players.
- Sing along while playing to better integrate the chord changes with lyrical
timing.
- Use dynamic strumming to highlight different sections of the song, softer
for verses and more robust for choruses.
Meaning of the Lyrics:
- The song speaks to regret and the aftermath of a failed relationship,
emphasizing the simplicity of what was required to maintain the
relationship versus the complexity of its ending. It’s a reflection on
missed opportunities and the pain of hindsight.
