One | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 |
| Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
Verse 1
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 |
Is it getting better?
| Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
Or do you feel the same?
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 |
Will it make it easier on you, now?
| Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
You’ve got someone to blame, you’ll say:
Chorus 1
| C | Am |
One love, one life.
| Fmaj7 | C |
When it’s one need, in the night.
| C | Am |
One love, we get to share it.
| Fmaj7 | C |
Leaves you baby if you, don’t care for it.
Instrumental 1
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 |
| Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
Verse 2
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 |
Did I disappoint you?
| Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 |
You act like you never had love.
| Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
And you want me to go without, well it’s:
Chorus 2
| C | Am |
Too late, tonight.
| Fmaj7 | C |
To drag the past out into the light.
| C | Am |
We’re one, but we’re not the same, we get to:
| Fmaj7 | C |
Carry each other, carry each other, one.
Instrumental 2
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 |
| Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
Verse 3
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 |
Have you come here for forgiveness?
| Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
Have you come to raise the dead?
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 |
Have you come here to play Jesus?
| Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
To the lepers in your head.
Chorus 3
| C | Am |
Did I ask too much? More than a lot.
| Fmaj7 | C |
You gave me nothin’ now it’s all I’ve got.
| C | Am |
We’re one but we’re not the same.
| Fmaj7 | C |
Well we, hurt each other then we do it again, you say:
Middle 8
| C | Am |
Love is a temple, love a higher law.
| C | Am |
Love is a temple, love the higher law.
| C | G |
You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl.
| G | F | F |
And I can’t be holdin’ on, to what you got, when all you got is hurt.
Chorus 4
| C | Am |
One love, one blood.
| Fmaj7 | C |
One life, you got to do what you should.
| C | Am |
One life, with each other.
| Fmaj7 | C |
Sisters, brothers.
Chorus 5
| C | Am |
One life but we’re not the same, We get to:
| Fmaj7 | C |
Carry each other, carry each other.
| C | Am |
One.
| Fmaj7 | C |
One.
Instrumental 3 (chorus chords)
| C | Am | Fmaj7 | C |
Outro
| C | Am | Fmaj7 | C |
Oh, oh, oh, oh. Oh, yeah. Baby, baby, baby.
| C | Am | Fmaj7 | C |
Higher. Baby, higher. Yeah, yeah, baby.
| C | Am | Fmaj7 | C |
Higher. Baby, higher.
One chords, progressions, and TAB
As one of U2‘s most loved tunes, One is a masterpiece in layering guitars. As great as this is to listen to, it makes it very difficult to play live if you are the only guitarist.
The chords for the intro, verse, and instrumental sections can be defined using extensions, although exactly how you play them will always be up for debate since you have to choose which of the different layers you want to highlight/combine.
The chords are, using roman numerals: VI – II – IV – V. The extensions are the most complex part. Here’s the progression, with extensions.
| Amadd4 | D7omit3 | Fmaj13 | Gadd4 |
Let’s examine One’s chords in depth:
- Amadd4 – This is both a minor and a sus4 chord. Move between the 5h/m3rd (E/C) and the sus4 (D).
- D7omit3 – This is a chord without a 3rd, but with a b7. Move between the root (D) and the b7 (C).
- Fmaj13 – This is a chord with a maj7 and a 6 (13). Move between the maj7/5th (E/C) and the 6th (D).
- Gadd4 – This is a chord with a 3rd and a sus4. Move between the 3rd (B) and the sus4 (C).
Theoretically, you could write | Am Asus4 Am Asus4 Am | since this is what is actually happening but it’s just too messy. By combining a sus4 with a minor, we call it an Amadd4, meaning, we have both the 3rd and the 4th.
Here’s some TAB for the intro/verses/instrumental 1 and 2, arranged for one acoustic guitar. Make sure you can see how the intervals described as extensions are incorporated into the part.
Let’s now put ourselves in a situation where this is played as the only electric guitar in a band. We now don’t have to worry about bass notes and chords, but instead, just pick ut the most important extensions/melodies.
The chords are still the same, ensure you can see those intervals (extensions).
Next, let’s look at One’s chorus chords. The chords are now I – VI – IV – I. There are hardly any extensions. Here’s the TAB for how you could play this on one acoustic guitar.
Notice how the low F bass note is late (play this with your thumb over the neck), similar to how the initial Am is played in the verse.
Here’s how you could play this on the electric, the extensions are back!
The Edge really is a master at layering guitars and providing variation during the entire song. How he crafts the chords for One is a brilliant example of his skills.
What you saw above will work on just one acoustic guitar, however, on the electric, you’ll need more variation. Use what I’ve written above to get you going.
One chords | Related pages
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U2
Irish rockers U2 released their debut album in the early 80s. A decade later they were one of the biggest bands in the world.
Tunes include Pride, One, Mysterious Ways, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Stay, and With Or Without You.
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