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Backwater

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Backwater - Meat Puppets
EAnd when I wake up in the F#morning
CTo feel the daybreak on my Eface
EThere's a blood that's flowin' through the F#feeling
CWith a knife to open up the Esky's veins
ESome things...will neC#mver change
They just Cstand there looking backwards
Half uncDonscious from the pain
EIt may seem...reC#marranged
CIn the backwater swirling there is Dsomething that'll never change
EAnd when I shoulda' been done a F#long time
CLaughs...and says I fEind ways
EJust when we're sheltered under F#paper
CThe rockets come at us Esideways
ESome things...will never C#mchange
They just Cstand there looking backwards
Half unDconscious from the pain
EIt may seem...reC#marranged
CIn the backwater swirling there is Dsomething that'll never change
F   G
AHey...I'm Eblind
CGood...Dfine
ARoll the Etime
COn whose Ddime?
[Solo]
E C#m C D
EAnd when I wake up in the F#morning
CTo feel the daybreak on my Eface
EThere's a blood that's flowin' through the F#feeling
CWith a knife to open up the Esky's veins
ESome things...will neC#mver change
They just Cstand there looking backwards
Half uncDonscious from the pain
EIt may seem...reC#marranged
CIn the backwater swirling there is Dsomething that'll never change
ESome things...will neC#mver change
They just Cstand there looking backwards
Half uncDonscious from the pain
EIt may seem...reC#marranged
CIn the backwater swirling there is Dsomething that'll never change
[Outro Solo]
 E   C#m   C   Dx4
(4th time slow down on C & D ... resolve on E)

All chords in this song (8)

The story behind the song

"Backwater," a standout from Meat Puppets' 1994 album Too High to Die, captures the feeling of a world that, despite everything, remains fundamentally unchanged. The lyrics evoke a sense of waking up to a familiar reality, where "some things... will never change" even as life swirls around in the background. It's a reflection on the enduring nature of certain elements, a constant presence in the backwater of existence. Playing it feels like acknowledging the steady current beneath the surface of daily life.

AI-written from these sources:Backwater (song) — Wikipedia ↗Meat Puppets — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Backwater

Backwater

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Backwater

by Meat Puppets

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

Backwater - Meat Puppets

E F#

And when I wake up in the morning

C E

To feel the daybreak on my face

E F#

There's a blood that's flowin' through the feeling

C E

With a knife to open up the sky's veins

E C#m

Some things...will never change

They just stand there looking backwards

Half unconscious from the pain

E C#m

It may seem...rearranged

C D

In the backwater swirling there is something that'll never change

E F#

And when I shoulda' been done a long time

C E

Laughs...and says I find ways

E F#

Just when we're sheltered under paper

C E

The rockets come at us sideways

E C#m

Some things...will never change

They just stand there looking backwards

Half unconscious from the pain

E C#m

It may seem...rearranged

C D

In the backwater swirling there is something that'll never change

F G

A E

Hey...I'm blind

C D

Good...fine

A E

Roll the time

C D

On whose dime?

[Solo]

E C#m C D

E F#

And when I wake up in the morning

C E

To feel the daybreak on my face

E F#

There's a blood that's flowin' through the feeling

C E

With a knife to open up the sky's veins

E C#m

Some things...will never change

They just stand there looking backwards

Half unconscious from the pain

E C#m

It may seem...rearranged

C D

In the backwater swirling there is something that'll never change

E C#m

Some things...will never change

They just stand there looking backwards

Half unconscious from the pain

E C#m

It may seem...rearranged

C D

In the backwater swirling there is something that'll never change

[Outro Solo]

E C#m C D

(4th time slow down on C & D ... resolve on E)

About Backwater Chords by Meat Puppets

Learn how to play Backwater by Meat Puppets with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Backwater chords”, “Backwater guitar chords”, or “Meat Puppets Backwater chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Backwater chords and for experienced players who want accurate Backwater lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, F#, C, C#m, D, F.

FAQ — Backwater by Meat Puppets

How do I play "Backwater" by Meat Puppets on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Backwater" by Meat Puppets free?

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Can I transpose "Backwater" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Backwater" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Backwater"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Backwater" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Backwater" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Backwater" by Meat Puppets with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Meat Puppets below.

What key is "Backwater" in?

The chords for "Backwater" show the original chord names (including E, F#, C, C#m, D, F). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.