Tom: Em
Em G D C C G D D
[Verse]
Em C G D
Step 1: You write a simple chorus. Don't you bore us with an intro or a clever little verse
Em C G D
Step 2: stop pretending there's some kinda of formula for making it, I've never been so sure
Em C G D
Only time will tell me if I'm something, if I'm cursed or if I'm cunning, if I'm talented or stale
Em C G D
‘Cause every song is an attempt to just impress you, it's an educated guess to light a bulb or ring a bell
[Chorus]
Em G D C
And here I am as I cut corners on a left turn up a sentimental street
Em G D C
And all I do I do to make my parents proud of who I am or who I'm 'bout to be
Em G D C
Yeah, here I am, gotta hand it to me, I can write a tune
Em G C D C Em
I guess success just still depends on who I'm singing to
[Instrumental]
Em G D C C G D D
[Verse]
Em C
Been working hard, feeling tense, worrying about my fashion sense
G D
Since when do I give up an inch to incidental tackiness?
Em C
I'm disoriented, so distracted from my bit
G D
But should I fight to force the issue when I'm out of lubricant
Em C
To help this? To help my words come easy, to help to ease the heat we
G D
Generate from friction, wishin' inspiration wouldn't treat me
Em C
Like I'm a leper, build me right up to the edge
G D
Of a legend just to pull back leaving fame inside my head
Em C
I'm at an open mic, feeling like that token guy
G D
"Please buy my CD, it's worth 10 dollars but I'll take a five"
Em C
There's so much talent balanced on a rusty knife
G D
Can I compete with guys who have been playing their entire lives?
Em C
For I am tied to mind my manners and my language
G D
‘Cause “heck”'s the only exclamation I can get away with
Em C
‘Cause my grandma's gonna listen to this and I still refuse
G D
To sway her sweet opinion of me or lose her approval
Em C
But it'd be nice to emphasise the weight of what I say
G D
Tell me which one will convince you that I'm finally okay; I'm Okay or I'm Goddamn Okay?
[Chorus]
Em G D C
And here I am as I cut corners on a left turn up a sentimental street
Em G D C
And all I do I do to make my parents proud of who I am or who I'm 'bout to be
Em G D C
Yeah, here I am, gotta hand it to me, I can write a tune
Em G C D C Em
I guess success just still depends on who I'm singing to
[Instrumental]
Em G D C C G D D
[Verse]
Em C
I'm not a gambler but I bet you're esoteric
G D
Tearing down these local artists as too poppy or generic
Em C
It's apparent you regard your judgement in such high esteem
G D
But it's as welcome as Americans as tourists overseas, I'm seeing
Em C
I'm seeing people asking where they go to find my stuff
G D
And yeah I'm up on iTunes next to every band with 30 bucks
Em C
A dozen albums sold, to me it's like a treasure
G D
But I guess I'm far from Guinness, I'm not setting any records
Em C
I'm making Indie music that may never top the charts
G D
But like the greatest chefs'll tell you, my fanbase is getting larger
Em C
I'm half a hermit, introverted if I'm honest
G D
The fact I'm here's a testament to how badly I want it
Em C
‘Cause I, I've no aversion to searching, to look and wonder
G D
Or to try out different styles or to leave my zone of comfort
Em C
‘cause I can flirt with burning candles but they'll either all extinguish
G D
Or they'll blacken all my fingers ‘til I lose all sense of feeling, I like
Em C
I like my girls like I like my schedule: Hectic
G D
I like beauty, smarts and talent but that order's alphabetic
Em C
I'm a sucker for an independent girl who needs her space
G D
Because I used to cling like static back when I was a teenager
Em C
I may never recapture the happiness of that first love
G D
'cause I was unaware of what a heartache really was
Em C
So now I guard a little harder, lusting for a crush
G D
And I can see it's so unhealthy when it bubbles up at once
Em C
I'm not breaking any ground, I think this problem's pretty ancient
G D
It's the fabric of a classic passed down every generation
Em C
So to summarise this song for all the people that've been watching this;
G D
Find another artist if you don't like stream of consciousness
[Instrumental]
Em G D C
[Chorus]
Em G D C
And here I am as I cut corners on a left turn up a sentimental street
Em G D C
And all I do I do to make my parents proud of who I am or who I'm 'bout to be
Em G D C
Yeah, here I am, gotta hand it to me, I can write a tune
Em G C D C Em
I guess success just still depends on who I'm singing to
