Chords
When You Say Nothing At All

When You Say Nothing at All was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz in the mid-1980s. The story behind its creation is that after a long songwriting session, they decided to take a break. During this break, Schlitz started playing a melody on his guitar, and Overstreet noticed that even without words, the music conveyed a powerful message. Inspired by this idea, they crafted a song that speaks to the power of communication and connection b ... eyond words. Initially recorded by Keith Whitley in 1988, the song also became famous with Alison Krausss version in 1995, and later with Ronan Keatings rendition. See more [+]

Key: D

Introduction:

    D2     A4      G5         A           D2     A4      G5         A 
e -------0---------- -------------------- -------0---------- --------------------
B -----3----------3- -------3--------2-3- -----3----------3- -------3--------2-3-

 D        A           G5             A            D     A  G5  A 
  It' s amazing how you can speak right to my heart,
 D          A         G5            A             D    A  G5  A 
  without saying a word you can light up the dark.
 G5                    A 
Try as I may I could never explain
 D         A              G5           A 
  what I hear when you don' t say a thing.

     D              A             G5             A 
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me.
           D              A            G5            A 
There' s a truth in your eyes saying you' ll never leave me.
     D              A                 G5                  A       G/B   A/C# 
The touch of your hand says you' ll catch me if ever I fall.
 G                 A 
You say it best,   when you say nothing at [Instrumental] all.

 D          A           G5           A            D     A  G5  A 
  All day long I can hear people talking out loud,
 D           A            G           A             D     A  G5  A 
  but when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd.
 G5                        A 
Old Mister Webster could never define
 D              A             G5              A 
  what' s been said between your heart and mine.

     D              A             G5             A 
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me.
           D              A            G5            A 
There' s a truth in your eyes saying you' ll never leave me.
     D              A                 G5                  A        G/B   A/C# 
The touch of your hand says you' ll catch me if ever I fall.
 G                 A 
You say it best,   when you say nothing at [Instrumental] all.

     D              A             G5             A 
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me.
           D              A            G5            A 
There' s a truth in your eyes saying you' ll never leave me.
     D              A                 G5                  A       G/B   A/C# 
The touch of your hand says you' ll catch me if ever I fall.
 G                 A 
You say it best,   when you say nothing at [Instrumental] all.