Cruel Summer

Taylor Swift · 120 BPM · 4/4

Cruel Summer

Taylor Swift · Capo 4

0:000:00

CapoPlace capo at fret 4; pitch is unchanged.

Em

Em(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

EmFever dream high in the quiet of tChe night

CYou Fknow Dmthat I caught it

DmBad, bad boy

Shiny Emtoy with a price

EmYou Amknow that I bought it

Killing meD#m slow, out tChe window

I'm aEmlways waitiFng for you to be waitDming below

DmDevils roll the dice, angels roll theirF# eyes

F#What doesFn't kill me makesC me want you morFme

FmAnd it's new,F the shapeEm of your body

EmIt's Amblue, the feelinFg I've got

FAnd iDmt's ooh, whoa, oh

DmIt's aA# cruel summer

It'Fs cool, that's what I Emtell 'em

EmNFo rules in Ambreakable heaven

But Dmooh, whoa oh

DmIt's a cruel sumA#mer

A#WFithFm you

FmHang your head low

FmIn the glow of the Emvending machine

IDm'm not dying

DmYou say that we'll just screw it up in these trFying times

FWe're noDmt trying

DmSo cutEm the headlights, summer'sC a knife

CI'm alEmways waiting foFr you just to cuDmt to the bone

DmDevils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes

And if I bleed, Amyou'll be the lDmast to know

DmOFh, it's new, the shapeEm of your body

EmIt's blue, tFhe feeling I've got

FAnd Emit's Dmooh, whoaEm, oh

EmIt's aD# cruel summer

It's cool, tFhat's what IEm tell 'em

EmNo rAmules in breakable heaven

AmBut oDmoh, whoa, oh

ItEm's a cruel summD#er

D#With you

I'm drunk in the back of thEme car

EmAnd I cried like a baby coming hDmome from the bar (oh)

DmSaid, "I'm fine," Embut it wasn't true

EmI don't wannD#a keep secreEmts just to keep you

EmAnd I snuck in through tFhe garden gate

FEvery nighAmt that summer juEmst to seal my faDmte (oh)

DmAnd I screamed for whateveEmr it's worth

Em"I love you," ain't thaD#t the worst thing you ever heard?

HeF looks up Amgrinning like a devil

It'Ems new, the shape of your body

EmIt's blue, the feelFing I've got

FAnd Dmit's ooh, whoa, oh

DmIt's a A#cruel summer

IFt's cool, tFmhat's what I tell 'Emem

EmNo ruAmles, in breakable heaven

But ooDmh, whoa, oh

It's a Ecruel Emsummer

EmWith you

I'm Fmdrunk in the back of the car

AFnd I cried like a baby coming home from the Dmbar (oh)

DmSaid, "I'm fine," but it wasn't true

DmI don't wanna kA#eep secrets just to keep you

And I snuFmck in thFrough the garden gate

FEvery night that summer just to seal my fate (oh)

DmAnd I screamed for whatever it's worth

Dm"I loEmve you," ain't thaFmt the worst thA#ing you ever heard?

(YFmeah, yeah,F yeah, yeah)

E

♪ instrumental ♪

Tap any line to jump

All Chords Used (11)

KeyF# minor

CapoFret 4

Tempo~120 BPM

How to play Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift on guitar

Cruel Summer is a great beginner play-along because it has a strong, driving feel at about 120 BPM and a repeating shape that helps you lock in fast. You get a pop groove that feels energetic right away, so it is rewarding even before you play it perfectly.

The chart mixes open shapes like E and A with harder barre shapes like G#m and F#m, so your left hand has to switch between easy and more demanding grips. The change to watch out for is the opening move from G#m to E, then to A and F#m, because it asks you to move cleanly without losing the pulse.

Start by looping the opening progression slowly, then practice each chord change on its own until the shapes feel automatic. After that, bring it up to tempo in small steps and focus on staying steady through the barre chords before you try to play the whole song straight through.

Use the play-along above to follow each chord change in time with the music, or learn the shapes first with the chord diagrams below.

Looking for more? Browse the full guitar song library or explore chord diagrams.

Tutorials & guides for "Cruel Summer"

Am Chord Guitar: How to Play A Minor (With Finger Diagram)

D Chord Guitar — How to Play D Major (Finger Positions + Tips)

Am7 Chord on Guitar: Two-Finger Open Chord

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