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Beatles, The - Across The Universe

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The Beatles - Across The Universe
Hello! Below you'll find my "Across The Universe" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
 

This song by The Beatles is beautiful and quite simple. It was written in the key of D, though it sounds like Db on the record (the guitars were turned down). I teach it in D for my version here. I think it sounds great on piano :) 

Enjoy!

Lesson Video
Chord Chart

Across The Universe Piano Tutorial

Here's a piano tutorial video for Across The Universe:

Across The Universe Chords & Lyrics

[Intro]
| D | F#m | A |
 
[Verse 1]
D                           Bm                    F#m
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
          Em7                                 A                       A7
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe
D 
Pools of sorrow
Bm                      F#m
Waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
     Em7                    Gm
Possessing and caressing me
 
[Chorus]
D                        A7sus4
Jai guru deva     om
A                                           A7
Nothing's gonna change my world
G                                           D
Nothing's gonna change my world
A                                           A7
Nothing's gonna change my world
G                                           D
Nothing's gonna change my world
 
[Verse 2]
D              Bm 
Images of broken light
           F#m                                         Em7
Which dance before me like a million eyes
                                         A                 A7
They call me on and on across the universe
D                             Bm                 F#m
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letterbox
         Em7 
They tumble blindly
                               A                       A7
As they make their way across the universe
 
[Chorus]
D                       A7sus4
Jai guru deva    om
A                                           A7
Nothing's gonna change my world
G                                           D
Nothing's gonna change my world
A                                           A7
Nothing's gonna change my world
G                                           D
Nothing's gonna change my world
 
[Verse 3]
D
Sounds of laughter
Bm                       F#m
Shades of life are ringing through my opened ears
   Em7              Gm
Inciting and inviting me
D                    Bm
Limitless, undying love
           F#m                                           Em7
Which shines around me like a million suns
                                           A                A7
And calls me on and on across the universe
 
[Chorus]
D                      A7sus4
Jai guru deva   om
A                                           A7
Nothing's gonna change my world
G                                           D
Nothing's gonna change my world
A                                           A7
Nothing's gonna change my world
G                                           D
Nothing's gonna change my world
 
[Outro]
D
Jai guru deva

(Repeat and fade or end on D)
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Across The Universe Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Across The Universe" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
 
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.  
 
3. Simplify if need be: "Across The Universe" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
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