Telling Stories

by Tracy Chapman

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Lyrics

There is (Em)fic tion in the space be tween

the (G)lines on your page of (D6)mem o ries.

Write it (Em)down but it does n’t mean

you’re (G)not just tell ing sto ries.

There is (Em)fic tion in the space be tween

you and re (D6)al i ty.

You will (Em)do and say an y thing

to make your (G)ev ’ry day life seem (D6)less mun dane.

There is (Em)fic tion in the space be tween

you and me.

There’s a sci ence (Em)fic tion in the space be tween

you and me,

a fab ri (Em)ca tion, a grand scheme

where (G)I am the scar y mon ster.

I eat the (Em)cit y.

As I leave the scene

in my (G)space ship, I am laugh (D6)ing.

In your re (Em)mem brance of your bad dream,

there’s (G)no one but you stand ing.

Leave the pit y

and the blame

for the ones who (G)do not speak.

You write the words to get re spect and com pas sion and for pos (Em)ter i ty.

You write the words and (Em)make be lieve there is (G)truth in the (D6)space be (Em)tween.

There is (Em)fic tion in the space be tween

you and (D6)ev ’ry bod y.

(Em)Give us all what we need.

Give us (G)one more sad sor (D6)did sto ry.

In the (Em)fic tion of the space be tween,

(G)some times a lie

is the best thing.

(G)Some times a lie

is the best thing.

Oh, the best thing,

is the best thing.

Telling Stories by Tracy Chapman — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Telling Stories by Tracy Chapman in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of E at 126 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Telling Stories" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Telling Stories"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "Telling Stories" use?
Just 6 chords: C, D, D6, D7, Em, G. Take it one section at a time.
What other Tracy Chapman songs work for kids?
Try "ALL THAT YOU HAVE IS YOUR SOUL", "GIVE ME ONE REASON", "TALKIN' 'BOUT A REVOLUTION". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.