May22019

Ruel – Painkiller Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

ChordsC E Am F Dm Cmaj7 Bb Fmaj7 C7 Bb7 Bbmaj7

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This is the chord progression of Painkiller by Ruel on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, Violin and Keyboard.

[Intro]
C E
You’re my painkiller
Am F
When my brain gets bitter
Dm
You keep me close
F E
You keep me close

[Verse 1]
Cmaj7
I got front row seats for the park side livin’
Bb
Feel like the one but I’m one in a billion
Fmaj7 Bb
Teenage cynical and I don’t really know
C
What’s the point of living if my heart gets broken?
Bb
Driving on the road, waiting for head-on collision
F Bb
Springtime funeral, I miss you but I’d rather be alone

[Pre-Chorus]
To keep me from
Cmaj7
Heartbreaks, headaches
The doctor says I’ m diagnosed with
C7
Shit days, mistakes
Fmaj7
But I’ll be fine
Bb7
But I’ ll be fine

[Chorus]
Cmaj7
‘Cause you’re my painkiller
Bb
When my brain gets bitter
F
You keep me close
Bb7
When I’ve been miserable
Am
And it takes forever
C
To let my brain get better
F
You keep me close
Bb
You keep me close

[Verse 2]
C
Window seats as the plane starts leavin’
Bb
Miss those streets where my knees were bleedin’
F
Homesick veteran
Bb
I left my bed again
Oh, looking for

[Pre-Chorus]
Cmaj7
Heartbreaks, headaches

The doctor says I’ m diagnosed with
Bb
Shit days, mistakes
Fmaj7
But I’ll be fine
Bb7
But I’ ll be fine

[Bridge]
C Bbmaj7 F
Please, never leave me ’cause I’ m barely holdin’ on
Dm F
You give me a reason to keep on breathin’

[Outro]
C
I know you hear me (Close)
Bb
Yeah (Close)
F Bb C
Close

How to play Painkiller: key, chords and progression

Painkiller by Ruel is written in F major (one flat: B♭) and moves through 11 chords: C, E, Am, F, Dm, Cmaj7, Bb, Fmaj7, C7, Bb7 and Bbmaj7.

Most of the song cycles through Bb – C – Bb – F (IV – V – IV – I in F major). In solfa, that is fah – soh – fah – doh. Get these 4 changes smooth and the rest comes quickly.

Good to know: on guitar, F, Bb, Bb7 and Bbmaj7 need a barre or movable shape. Take the change into them slowly at first; piano and ukulele players have it easier.