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Alternative Girlfriend

Chords

4.29 votes

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KeyOriginal

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Main Riff
e------------------------------------|
B------------------------------------|
G------------------------------------|
A------------------------------------|
D---7-7-7-7-9-7---7-5-4-2------------|
E---------------7--------------------|
EYou're in an all-girl band
EYour futon's second hand
EYour parents understand but you don't careD  E  
EI have a job in a shop
EI'm an undercover cop
EI make sure the customers aren't thieves
BOld at beinF#mg young
BYoung at beF#Ming old
BEverything's on hold F#mwithin our evolution
CHORUS:
EYou're Gmy alF#mternative girlBfriend
EI love Gyou, F#mnow you cannot preBtend
C#mThere's nothing left that won't cross Aover
ELast night we slept on the lawn
EYou woke up and I was gone
EBack to the dream I dream to leaveE  D  E  
EMy life with her is a bore
EA worn-out metaphor
ENo more surprises up it's sleeve
BWe're old at being F#myoung
BYoung at being F#mold
BEverything's been F#msold to other's revolutions
CHORUS:
EYou're Gmy alF#mternative girlBfriend
EI love Gyou, F#mnow you cannot preBtend
C#mThere's nothing left that won't cross Aover
E (Quick Palm mutes)           A
You live above your dad's four-car garage
With your Evinyl and imaginary Aentourage
If I Epull up in a u-haul, Apack up quick
                                        E              A  G(hold)
So we can get out of this town 'cause it makes me sick
CHORUS:
EYou're Gmy alF#mternative girlBfriend
EI love Gyou, F#mnow you cannot preBtend
C#mThere's nothing left that won't cross Aover
E (over and over) or Riff
E(hold)
You're my alternnative girlfriend
E (over and over) or Riff
END (listen to CD for end)

All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

"Alternative Girlfriend" comes from the 1994 album Maybe You Should Drive by the Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies. The song was an intentional effort to capture the sound of grunge music from Seattle, marking a heavier direction for the band's style. It represents an exploration of a more robust sound within their repertoire. When you play it, channel that sense of deliberate sonic shift and the energy of a band trying on a new musical skin.

AI-written from these sources:Alternative Girlfriend — Wikipedia ↗Barenaked Ladies — Wikipedia ↗

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Alternative Girlfriend

by Barenaked Ladies

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

C#m

Main Riff

e------------------------------------|

B------------------------------------|

G------------------------------------|

A------------------------------------|

D---7-7-7-7-9-7---7-5-4-2------------|

E---------------7--------------------|

You're in an all-girl band

Your futon's second hand

E D E

Your parents understand but you don't care

I have a job in a shop

I'm an undercover cop

I make sure the customers aren't thieves

B F#m

Old at being young

B F#M

Young at being old

B F#m

Everything's on hold within our evolution

CHORUS:

E G F#m B

You're my alternative girlfriend

E G F#m B

I love you, now you cannot pretend

C#m A

There's nothing left that won't cross over

Last night we slept on the lawn

You woke up and I was gone

E E D E

Back to the dream I dream to leave

My life with her is a bore

A worn-out metaphor

No more surprises up it's sleeve

B F#m

We're old at being young

B F#m

Young at being old

B F#m

Everything's been sold to other's revolutions

CHORUS:

E G F#m B

You're my alternative girlfriend

E G F#m B

I love you, now you cannot pretend

C#m A

There's nothing left that won't cross over

E (Quick Palm mutes) A

You live above your dad's four-car garage

E A

With your vinyl and imaginary entourage

E A

If I pull up in a u-haul, pack up quick

E A G

(hold)

So we can get out of this town 'cause it makes me sick

CHORUS:

E G F#m B

You're my alternative girlfriend

E G F#m B

I love you, now you cannot pretend

C#m A

There's nothing left that won't cross over

E (over and over) or Riff

(hold)

You're my alternnative girlfriend

E (over and over) or Riff

END (listen to CD for end)

About Alternative Girlfriend Chords by Barenaked Ladies

Learn how to play Alternative Girlfriend by Barenaked Ladies with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Alternative Girlfriend chords”, “Alternative Girlfriend guitar chords”, or “Barenaked Ladies Alternative Girlfriend 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 Alternative Girlfriend chords and for experienced players who want accurate Alternative Girlfriend lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, G, A, D, E, F#m.

FAQ — Alternative Girlfriend by Barenaked Ladies

How do I play "Alternative Girlfriend" by Barenaked Ladies on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Alternative Girlfriend" by Barenaked Ladies on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Alternative Girlfriend" by Barenaked Ladies free?

Yes. The chords for "Alternative Girlfriend" by Barenaked Ladies are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Alternative Girlfriend" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Alternative Girlfriend"?

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

Is "Alternative Girlfriend" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Alternative Girlfriend" by Barenaked Ladies with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Barenaked Ladies below.

What key is "Alternative Girlfriend" in?

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