Chords + Lyrics | Rewind (capo 2)
Intro
| C Csus2 | C Csus2 | F/C Fsus2/C | F/C Fsus2/C |
Verse 1
||: C Csus2 | C Csus2 | F/C Fsus2/C | F/C Fsus2/C :||
Picking up the pieces, of the wreck you went and left.
And I’m dealing with dilemmas, in my now so-stressful life.
And I’m drinking stronger spirits, I made my home here on the floor,
and I’m losing all ambition and goals.
Bridge 1
| E | Dm | E | Dm |
And I’m going all out, and I’m thinking you’re just as bad.
Chorus 1
||: C | G | Am | F/C :||
No sleeping at night, but I’m going from bar to bar.
Why can’t we just rewind? Why can’t we just rewind? Why can’t we just rewind?
Verse 2
Oh remember at 16, oh the crazy drunken night we had.
When I kissed you in the hallway, then I took you straight to bed.
Bridge 2
Oh two years on, and I’m still that same boy and I’m.
Chorus 2
Not sleeping at night, but I’m going from bar to bar.
Why can’t we just rewind? Why can’t we just rewind? Why can’t we just rewind?
Not sleeping at night, but I’m going from bar to bar.
Why can’t we just rewind? Why can’t we just rewind? Why can’t we just rewind?
Middle 8
| Dm | E | Am Am/G | Am/F Am/E |
You might blame it on me, but you insisted that we fall.
| Dm | E | G | G |
Wiped your hands off me, and said you needed more, more, more.
Chorus 3 (breakdown)
I’m not sleeping at night, but I’m going from bar to bar.
Why can’t we just rewind? Why can’t we just rewind? Why can’t we just rewind?
Chorus 4
Not sleeping at night, but I’m going from bar to bar.
Why can’t we just rewind? Why can’t we just rewind? Why can’t we just rewind?
Outro
||: C | G | Am | F/C :|| C |
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Can’t we just rewind?
Rewind Chords: Understanding the Progressions in Every Section
There are four chord progressions to learn in Paolo Nutini‘s Rewind.
Verse
The first, used in the intro and verse, simply moves between I and IV, adding and removing sus2 colours. In the key of C, this becomes:
||: C (IV) Csus2 | C Csus2 | F/C (IV) Fsus2/C | F/C Fsus2/C :||
Bridge
The bridge introduces a variation that grabs the listener’s attention with a IIIx – II movement:
||: E (IIIx) | Dm (II) :||
Chorus
The chorus follows the familiar I – V – VI – IV progression, commonly found in modern hits:
||: C (I) | G (V) | Am (VI) | F/C (IV) :||
Middle 8
Finally, the middle 8 is the most intricate section. It starts with II and IIIx, then moves through a descending bass line on VI—a progression reminiscent of Sunny Afternoon:
| Dm (II) | E (IIIx) |
| Am (VI) Am/G (VI/b7) | Am/F (VI/b6) Am/E (VI/5) |
| Dm | E |
| G (V) | G |
When these chords are arranged into a chart, it looks like this:
Rewind Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
As you can see above, I’ve included all sections while leaving space between them for easier readability.
If you’d like to download this chart, here’s a PDF: Rewind chord chart PDF.
This chart was created using iRealPro—here’s a link to the file: Rewind iReal Pro.
With iRealPro, you can change the key and adjust the arrangement as needed. However, as you’ll discover in the course, transposing the song introduces new chord extensions!
In the course, we explore TAB and use play-along loops to study Rewind in depth. Below is a preview of the seemingly simple verse—while the chords may be straightforward, the rhythm is the real challenge!
Rewind TAB | Course Preview
The original recording of Rewind is played in the key of C (see chords and lyrics above).
When I recorded Spytunes’ version, this was too low for my female singer, so I added a capo on fret 2, shifting it to the key of D. This worked perfectly—simply remove the capo, and you’ll play it just like Paolo does.
What I didn’t anticipate was how this would open the door to creating a second guitar part, played in the key of D without a capo.
In the video above, you’ll see how I first play “in C” using the capo, then switch to playing in D without it. Later in the course, we take this further by placing the capo on fret 5, creating yet another guitar part—this time thinking in the key of A. You’ll find all these versions in the playlist at the top of the page.
By layering these second guitar parts, you, me, and the singer can play Rewind together as an acoustic trio.
Before we get to that, we start by learning the first part—the one you can play on your own, just like I do with the singer. The challenge isn’t in the chords themselves but in the strumming. To help with this, you’ll get TAB with play-along loops. Below are the first two chords, C and F/C, with their sus2 variations added and removed.
Play along with me in the video to get a feel for what it’s like to learn guitar with Spytunes.
In the course, we break Rewind down bar by bar using play-along loops and video lessons where I guide you through the strumming techniques. We also work on dedicated strumming exercises to help you master the song’s intricate rhythms.
After that, we play the full song with a singer before developing second guitar parts—first without a capo (thinking in D), then with a capo on fret 5 (thinking in A).
By the end of these 8 step-by-step guitar lessons, you, me, and the singer will be playing Rewind together. More importantly, you’ll have learned how to create layered guitar parts using the CAGED system and a capo.
Here’s a link to the 8 step-by-step guitar lessons: Rewind – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
A single from Paolo Nutini’s debut album
Debut albums are often the most interesting in an artist’s career. Not only do they have years to write them, but they’re also created before the artist fully understands how the industry works. Without preconceptions, they’re simply writing the best songs they can.
In the case of Paolo Nutini’s These Streets (2006), his management and label knew he had an incredible voice and was writing what sounded like great songs—but no one truly knows if an album is great until it’s finished.
I think These Streets is underrated. There are at least five genuinely fantastic songs on the album—the title track These Streets, Last Request, New Shoes, Jenny Don’t Be Hasty, and of course, Rewind.
Paolo may have become an even better singer since then, and his later production may be more polished, but I don’t think he’s ever written songs as pure as the ones on his debut.
I toured with Paolo just after he released his second album, Sunny Side Up (2009). Sonically, it was a step up, and by then, he had built an impressive catalogue of songs.
But the moment that always got the biggest reaction? When he played These Streets alone with just a guitar. It was raw, pure, and sent the crowd—especially the women—into a frenzy. Always a good sign!
Rewind Chords: Continue Learning
Rewind by Paolo Nutini may not be fast, but its intricate 16th-note strumming pattern will challenge your rhythm and require continued strumming practice.
After working through each section with individual practice loops, we take the song further by creating not just one, but two second guitar parts.
Start learning with the full lesson series: Rewind – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
