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 — Beginner Piano Tutorial

1 person has learned this song

Learn "Telling Stories" on piano — perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded notes show you exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. Key of E, 126 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

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About “Telling Stories”

What key is "Telling Stories" by Tracy Chapman played in?
Telling Stories is arranged in the key of E on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Telling Stories"?
The arrangement plays at 126 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Telling Stories" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "Telling Stories"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Telling Stories"?
"Telling Stories" was originally performed by Tracy Chapman. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Telling Stories"?
This arrangement uses 6 chords: C, D, D6, D7, Em, G.
What other songs by Tracy Chapman can I play here?
Try "ALL THAT YOU HAVE IS YOUR SOUL", "GIVE ME ONE REASON", "TALKIN' 'BOUT A REVOLUTION". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

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