Chords
Black

Black is an emotionally intense ballad about lost love, portrayed through powerful lyrics and melancholic melodies. It was written by Eddie Vedder and Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, reflecting Vedders feelings about the end of a relationship and the struggle to move on. Many fans and critics interpret the song as an expression of the deep pain that comes with the loss of true love, making it one of Pearl Jams most resonant and enduring songs.

Key: E

Introduction:

 E                A2              E               A2 
Sheets of empty canvas, untouched sheets of clay
      E                  A               E 
Were laid spread out before me as her body once did
 E            A2           E                A2 
All five horizons revolved around her soul as the earth to the sun
 E              A                        E 
Now the air I tasted and breathed has taken a turn

 C                                     Em 
Oh, and all I taught her was everything
 C                                    Em 
Oh, I know she gave me all that she wore

            D 
And now my bitter hands,
         C 
Chafe beneath the clouds
             Em 
Of what was everything
         D 
All the pictures have
           C 
All been washed in black
                Em 
Tattooed everything

 E         A2                 E                A2 
I take a walk outside, I' m surrounded by some kids at play
 E                 A             E 
I can feel their laughter, so why do I sear

 C                                            Em 
Oh, and twisted thoughts that spin ' round my head, I' m spinning, oh
     C                                      Em 
I' m spinning, how quick the sun can drop away

            D 
And now my bitter hands
        C 
Cradle broken glass
                 Em 
Of what was everything
         D 
All the pictures have
           C 
All been washed in black
              Em 
Tattooed everything
         D 
All the love gone bad
           C 
Turned my world to black
                  D 
And tattooed all I see,
          C 
All that I am,
               Em 
All that I' ll be

 D  C      Em       D        C 
  Yeah  Uh huh  Uh huh  Uh
   Em 
I know someday you' ll have a beautiful life,
   D                           C 
I know you' ll be a star in somebody else' s sky
     Em         D             C 
But why, why, why can' t it be,
 C                 Em   D   C 
Oh can' t it be mine
 Em       D         C 
ooh, ah yeah, aah ooh
 C                         Em 
(Doodoo-doo-doo-doodoodoo)
 Em                        D 
(Doodoo-doo-doo-doodoodoo)
 D                        C 
Doodoo-doo-doo-doodoodoo
 C                        Em 
Doodoo-doo-doo-doodoodoo
 Em                       D 
Doodoo-doo-doo-doodoodoo