Pop, Rock

Hard Times Chords

Paramore Beginner Key of C 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

Am · G · F · C

Hard Times Chords – Guitar

Paramore’s upbeat yet lyrically dark synth-pop track about enduring personal struggles. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Pop Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret to match the original recording’s key of C#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

All that I want is a hole in the ground

F C

You can tell me when it’s alright, for me to come out

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Verse 2

F C

And I gotta get to rock bottom

F C

Walking around with my little raincloud

F C

Hang around with the unlucky now

F C

Got a smile for a mile of these bad vibes

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Bridge

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F

Now I got you keeping me up at night

C

And I still don’t know how I even survive

F C

Hard times

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Outro

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (F, C, G). Master the F to C transition, as it’s the most common change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Hard Times"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Hard Times" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Hard Times" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Hard Times"?

It was written by Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and released in 2017.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Ctap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Am · G · F · C

Hard Times Chords – Ukulele

Paramore’s upbeat yet lyrically dark synth-pop track about enduring personal struggles. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Pop Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret to match the original recording’s key of C#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

All that I want is a hole in the ground

F C

You can tell me when it’s alright, for me to come out

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Verse 2

F C

And I gotta get to rock bottom

F C

Walking around with my little raincloud

F C

Hang around with the unlucky now

F C

Got a smile for a mile of these bad vibes

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Bridge

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F

Now I got you keeping me up at night

C

And I still don’t know how I even survive

F C

Hard times

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Outro

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (F, C, G). Master the F to C transition, as it’s the most common change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Hard Times"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Hard Times" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Hard Times" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Hard Times"?

It was written by Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and released in 2017.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Ctap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Am · G · F · C

Hard Times Chords – Piano

Paramore’s upbeat yet lyrically dark synth-pop track about enduring personal struggles. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Pop Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret to match the original recording’s key of C#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

All that I want is a hole in the ground

F C

You can tell me when it’s alright, for me to come out

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Verse 2

F C

And I gotta get to rock bottom

F C

Walking around with my little raincloud

F C

Hang around with the unlucky now

F C

Got a smile for a mile of these bad vibes

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Bridge

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F

Now I got you keeping me up at night

C

And I still don’t know how I even survive

F C

Hard times

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Outro

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (F, C, G). Master the F to C transition, as it’s the most common change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Hard Times"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Hard Times" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Hard Times" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Hard Times"?

It was written by Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and released in 2017.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Ctap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Am · G · F · C

Hard Times Chords – Banjo

Paramore’s upbeat yet lyrically dark synth-pop track about enduring personal struggles. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Pop Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret to match the original recording’s key of C#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

All that I want is a hole in the ground

F C

You can tell me when it’s alright, for me to come out

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Verse 2

F C

And I gotta get to rock bottom

F C

Walking around with my little raincloud

F C

Hang around with the unlucky now

F C

Got a smile for a mile of these bad vibes

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Bridge

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F

Now I got you keeping me up at night

C

And I still don’t know how I even survive

F C

Hard times

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Outro

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (F, C, G). Master the F to C transition, as it’s the most common change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Hard Times"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Hard Times" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Hard Times" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Hard Times"?

It was written by Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and released in 2017.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Ctap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Am · G · F · C

Hard Times Chords – Mandolin

Paramore’s upbeat yet lyrically dark synth-pop track about enduring personal struggles. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Pop Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret to match the original recording’s key of C#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

All that I want is a hole in the ground

F C

You can tell me when it’s alright, for me to come out

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Verse 2

F C

And I gotta get to rock bottom

F C

Walking around with my little raincloud

F C

Hang around with the unlucky now

F C

Got a smile for a mile of these bad vibes

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Bridge

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F

Now I got you keeping me up at night

C

And I still don’t know how I even survive

F C

Hard times

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Outro

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (F, C, G). Master the F to C transition, as it’s the most common change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Hard Times"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Hard Times" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Hard Times" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Hard Times"?

It was written by Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and released in 2017.

Amtap to play

Gtap to play

Ftap to play

Ctap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Am · G · F · C

Hard Times Chords – Harmonica

Paramore’s upbeat yet lyrically dark synth-pop track about enduring personal struggles. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Pop Rock Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 1st fret to match the original recording’s key of C#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

All that I want is a hole in the ground

F C

You can tell me when it’s alright, for me to come out

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Verse 2

F C

And I gotta get to rock bottom

F C

Walking around with my little raincloud

F C

Hang around with the unlucky now

F C

Got a smile for a mile of these bad vibes

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Bridge

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F C

Oh, let me break it down like a record

F C G F

Now I got you keeping me up at night

C

And I still don’t know how I even survive

F C

Hard times

Chorus

G

Hard times

F

Gonna make you wonder why you even try

G

Hard times

F

Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry

C

These lives

F

And I still don’t know how I even survive

G

Hard times

F

Hard times

Outro

F C

All that I want is to wake up fine

F C

Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

F C

Hard times

Practice tip: The song uses only four chords (F, C, G). Master the F to C transition, as it’s the most common change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Hard Times"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, G, F and C.

Is "Hard Times" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Hard Times" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Hard Times"?

It was written by Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and released in 2017.