Three Chords

from Bootlegs I: Songs for Toddlers on the Human Condition by Jonah Rank

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about

Written and recorded when I was sick for an extended period of time in the winter of 2002. Most of what I did was watch music videos on VH1.

This song remained a favorite of mine for a while. A number of recordings of this song exist.

lyrics

I can’t tell you how I feel.
No words can make it seem real.
But, if I can come up with enough simple rhymes,
You might fall for me this time.
You and I belong together.
When I’m with you, I feel better.
You know how to relieve my pain.
When I talk, I know I might sound insane,
But three chords and some simple words
Is all it takes sometimes.
I can’t explain thoughts without a guitar.
This music is my mind.
Three chords and some simple words
Can get rid of the tears.
Music has a message, and punk rock says,
“I’ve been smoking for too many years.”

Come on, girl. Why don’t you take my hand?
Don’t you think that you should be impressed by my band?
I’d expect you to become an instant fan.
Our music video’s even filmed by a guy with shaky hands.

Shouldn’t you be taken in by this career of mine?
I get paid to sing songs that reveal I don’t have a life.
I play my guitar, and I write some songs.
I don’t care if copyright infringement is wrong
Because those three chords and some simple words
Is all it takes sometimes.
I can’t explain thoughts without a guitar.
This music is my mind.
Three chords and some simple words
Can get rid of the tears.
Music has a message, and punk rock says,
“I’ve acted like I’m twelve for too many years.”

So, whether it’s A, D, E, or it is
G C D, it’s either way
Got the sophistication level
Of something pre-B.C.E.

Three chords and some simple words
Is all it takes sometimes.
I can’t explain thoughts without a guitar.
This music is my mind.
Three chords and some simple words can
Get rid of the tears.
Music has a message, and punk rock says,
“I still can’t play after all of these years.”

credits

from Bootlegs I: Songs for Toddlers on the Human Condition, released November 15, 2011

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Jonah Rank New York, New York

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