The Smiths’ “William It Was Really Nothing” 
Transcribed by Tyler Burns 

Gadd9                  Dmaj7            F#m7         Bm 
The rain falls hard on a humdrum town 
Gadd9                  Dmaj7            F#m7         Bm 
This town has dragged you down 
Gadd9                  Dmaj7            F#m7         Bm 
Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town 
Gmaj7 
This town has dragged you down 
D    A         G                        A       
Oh, no, and everybody’s got to live their life 
        B                                    B/C# 
And God knows I’ve got to live mine 
Dmaj7              E             B        B/C#      Dmaj7       E 
God knows Ive got to live mine 
Gsus     G      Asus    A     G    A 
(instrumental passage) 
G    D    G         A    Bm    F#+ 
William, William, it was really nothing 
G    D    G         A    Bm    F#+ 
William, William, it was really nothing 
A/B            A/E 
It was your life ... 
Gsus     G                             Asus                    A       G    A 
               How can you stay with a fat girl who’ll say, oh! 
(repeat Chorus) 
G    D                                           G                               A     
Would you like to marry me ? And if you like you can buy the ring 
Bm                             F#+ 
She doesnt care about anything 
G                        D     
Would you like to marry me ?  
G                                            A 
And if you like you can buy the ring 
Bm                             F#+    A/B    A/E 
I dont dream about anyone - except myself ! 
G    D    G         A    Bm    F#+      Bm    Bm7M    Bm7     E9 
Oh, william, william it was really nothing  William, William